Study Question One

• Name each leukocyte type and give its general function.
• There are five leukocytes . . .

  • neutrophils
  • lyphocytes
  • monocytes
  • eosinophils
  • basophils
• Leukocytes can be divided into granulocytes and agranulocytes . . .

  • granulocytes
  • contain visible cytoplasmic granules
  • involved in innate immunity
  • examples: neutrophils, eosinphils, basophils
  • agranulocyte
  • lack visible cytoplasmic granules
  • involved in adaptive immunity
  • examples: lymphocytes, monocytes
• Name each leukocyte type and give its general function.

  Neutrophils are the first to respond to infections, as they perform phagocytosis which engulfs pathogens and debris. Neutrophils are abundant and effective, however, they are short lived cells.
• Name each leukocyte type and give its general function.

  Lymphocytes are involved in adaptive immunity, and can be subdivided into three types: T cells which regulate immune responses and attack infected cells; B cells produce antibodies that target antigens and pathogens; natural killer cells attack infected cells and tumor cells.
• Name each leukocyte type and give its general function.

  Monocytes are large phagocytic cells that migrate to tissues and become involved in long-term defense by engulfing pathogens, dead cells, debris. This helps in activating the adaptive immune response.
• Name each leukocyte type and give its general function.

  Eosinophils combat parasitic infections and allergic reactions as well as asthma by releasing inflammatory mediators.
• Name each leukocyte type and give its general function.

  Basophils are the least common type of leukocyte, involved in inflammatory reactions such as allergies. These cells also release heparin and histamine, heparin for blood clotting and histamine for dilating blood vessels.