WBC Flashcards
Granulocytes
- Neutrophils
- Eosinophils (red granules)
- Basophils (dark blue granules)
Agranulocytes
- Monocytes
- Lymphocytes
Agranulocytes
- Monocytes
- Lymphocytes
Neutrophils
o most abundant WBC = 54%-62%;
o polymorphonucleocytes (PMN);
o phagocytosis of foreign particles (disease organisms & debris);
o increased in acute bacterial infections.
Eosinophils
o 1-3% of total WBC’s;
o kill parasites and are responsible for allergic reactions;
o increased during parasitic infections (tapeworm, hookworm);
o Release histamine during allergic reactions.
- Appear brick-red after staining with eosin, a red dye
Monocytes
o 3-9% of total WBC’s;
o phagocytosis;
o largest WBC, 12-20 microns,
o Large kidney shaped nucleus.
o increased during typhoid fever, malaria, and mononucleosis.
Monocytes are the leukocyte that is the most problematic for identification, because they can be fairly variable in size and appearance. They are often larger than neutrophils and are usually the largest leukocyte. The nucleus can be round to kidney-shaped to pseudo-lobulated (can mimic a neutrophil). It can may be confused with band neutrophils. However, the chromatin of monocytes is less dense than neutrophils, and is described as lacey to slightly clumped. The cytoplasm is usually smooth and blue-grey and may contain a few variably-sized vacuoles, and occasionally a few very fine pink-red granules. They are also larger than neutrophils
Lymphocytes
o 25-33% of total WBC’s;
o live for several months to years;
o range in size from large (10-14μ) to small (6-9μ);
o attack cells directly
- T-cells are involved in cell-mediated immunity. In the thymus, T cells multiply and differentiate into helper, regulatory, or cytotoxic T cells or become memory T cells.
- B-cells are involved in so-called humoral immunity; on encountering a foreign substance (antigen), the B lymphocyte differentiates into a plasma cell, which secretes immunoglobulin (antibody).
Neutrophils
o most abundant WBC = 54%-62%;
o polymorphonucleocytes (PMN);
o phagocytosis of foreign particles (disease organisms & debris);
o increased in acute bacterial infections.
Eosinophils
o 1-3% of total WBC’s;
o kill parasites and are responsible for allergic reactions;
o increased during parasitic infections (tapeworm, hookworm);
o Release histamine during allergic reactions.
- Appear brick-red after staining with eosin, a red dye
Monocytes
o 3-9% of total WBC’s;
o phagocytosis;
o largest WBC, 12-20 microns,
o Large kidney shaped nucleus.
o increased during typhoid fever, malaria, and mononucleosis.
Monocytes are the leukocyte that is the most problematic for identification, because they can be fairly variable in size and appearance. They are often larger than neutrophils and are usually the largest leukocyte. The nucleus can be round to kidney-shaped to pseudo-lobulated (can mimic a neutrophil). It can may be confused with band neutrophils. However, the chromatin of monocytes is less dense than neutrophils, and is described as lacey to slightly clumped. The cytoplasm is usually smooth and blue-grey and may contain a few variably-sized vacuoles, and occasionally a few very fine pink-red granules. They are also larger than neutrophils
Lymphocytes
o 25-33% of total WBC’s;
o live for several months to years;
o range in size from large (10-14μ) to small (6-9μ);
o attack cells directly
- T-cells are involved in cell-mediated immunity. In the thymus, T cells multiply and differentiate into helper, regulatory, or cytotoxic T cells or become memory T cells.
- B-cells are involved in so-called humoral immunity; on encountering a foreign substance (antigen), the B lymphocyte differentiates into a plasma cell, which secretes immunoglobulin (antibody).
Basophils
- granulocytes,
- least common of the granulocytes, 0.01% to 0.3%
- Are basophilic, they are susceptible to staining by basic dyes. Partially constricted into two lobes, and with cytoplasm containing coarse bluish-black granules of variable size.
- large cytoplasmic granules which obscure the cell nucleus under the microscope.
- Store histamine
- involved in inflammatory reactions in your body, especially those related to allergies and asthma.
WBC order from most to least abundant
(Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas)
Neutrophils (Granulocytes)
Lymphocytes (Agranulocyte)
Monocyte (Agranulocyte)
Eosinophils (Granulocytes)
Basophils (Granulocytes)
Basophils
- granulocytes,
- least common of the granulocytes, 0.01% to 0.3%
- Are basophilic, they are susceptible to staining by basic dyes. Partially constricted into two lobes, and with cytoplasm containing coarse bluish-black granules of variable size.
- large cytoplasmic granules which obscure the cell nucleus under the microscope.
- Store histamine
- involved in inflammatory reactions in your body, especially those related to allergies and asthma.
