Leukocytes White Blood Cells

Leukocytes - WBC have nuclei and usual organelles amoeboid motion

capable of slipping in and out of blood vessels

respond to chemicals released by injured cells and other WBC’s body is able to double normal # of WBC’s in a few hours in response to infection

Types of WBC’s

Granulocytes lobed nuclei cytoplasmic granules

1. Neutrophils most numerous are phagocytes partial to bacteria and fungus during acute infection

2. Basophiles least numerous release chemicals that help migration of other WBC’s to site

3. Eosinophils increase numbers due to parasites, protozoans, and allergies phagocytes and release chemicals that counteract allergic reaction

Agranulocytes after being formed in bone marrow they migrate to lymph tissue and reproduce further there

1. Lymphocytes most in lymph tissue T cells act on viruses and tumors B cells form plasma cells which make antibodies

2. Monocytes phagocytes macrophages

Like RBC’s., WBC’s form from hemocytoblasts. The cells that form agranulocytes migrate to lymph tissues. The granulocytes form in bone marrow.

Leukemia “white blood”

Leukemia “white blood” group of WBC cancers WBC’s are overproduced, unspecialized, and suppress normal bone marrow production

may be chronic (usually adults) or acute (children) treated with: Radiation Chemotherapy Bone marrow transplants

Mononucleosis

Mononucleosis highly contagious virus usually in children and young adults no cure - usually lasts a few weeks large amounts of abnormal monocytes and lymphocytes