what is a leukocyte?
a white blood cell
what gives RBCs their pigment?
the heme group
what is the pigment in WBC?
none; they are colourless
what is the mobile unit of the bodys immune system?
white blood cells; leukocytes
in general, what is a system?
what cell in the spleen cleans up all the dead RBCs?
the macrophages
the size of white blood cells is bigger or smaller than red blood cells?
bigger than RBCs
there are five major types of circulating leukocytes. they vary in?
structure, function and number
per mL of blood, how many leukocyte?
7 million/mL blood
what are the five major different types of circulating leukocytes?
which types of leukocytes are polymorphonuclear granulocytes?
which types of leukocytes are mononuclear agranulocytes?
which type of leukocytes does not have granules?
monocytes
what is the most abundant type of circulating leukocyte?
what is the least abundant type of circulating leukocyte?
polymorphonuclear - many-shaped nucleus
granulocytes - granule-containing cells
what is a neutrophil?
which circulating white blood cell is the MOST MOST abundant?
neutrophil
which circulating white blood cell is the LEAST LEAST abundant?
basophil
what does granules contain?
lots of toxic substances
how are granules used in regards to neutrophils?
they release toxic substances when neutrophils engulf bacteria to destroy and damage the bacteria. HOWEVER, they also destroy and damage the cell so the cell will also die. the chromatin (DNA) is then released into the extracellular space (N.E.T.s)
when DNA is thrown into extracellular space after a neutrophil dies (N.E.T.s), what happens?
the bacteria sticks to the DNA which will have the toxic granules which will kill the bacteria as well
OR
the bacteria sticks to the DNA and then other phagocytes will come and destroy it
the release web of extracellular fibers that contain bacteria-killing chemicals are called what?
neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)