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White Blood Cells: Defense and Immunity

Author: Amanda Soderlind

White Blood Cells

Source: Video and Images Created by Amanda Soderlind

Video Transcript
Terms to Know
Basophils

White blood cells that store the chemicals heparin and histamine and are used to promote inflammation (example: allergies). Basophils are distinguished by their s-shaped nucleus and large granules.

Eosinophils

White blood cells that attack parasites that enter the body (example: worms) and are distinguished by their bi-lobed nucleus.

Granulocytes

A term used to classify white blood cells by their visible granules in their cytoplasm.

Leukocytes

The general term for "white blood cells". These are the immune system/defense cells of the body. There are five major types of leukocytes in the body: neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, lymphocytes.

Lymphocytes

White blood cells responsible for carrying out specific immune responses and primarily attack cells (for example, attacking cancerous and virus-infected cells). There are two types of lymphocytes, T & B cells.

Monocytes

The largest type of white blood cells and are considered circulating phagocytes. When debris, microbes, or parasites invade the tissues, monocytes attempt to engulf and devour the invaders. Monocytes are classified by their large, horseshoe-shaped nucleus.

Neutrophils

White blood cells that attack bacteria invaders that enter the body; also called first responder cells. Neutrophils are distinguished by their 3-5 lobed, thin, horseshoe-shaped nucleus.

White Blood Cells

Also called leukocytes, white blood cells are the immune system/defense cells of the body. There are five major types of white blood cells in the body: neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, lymphocytes.