White Blood Cell
White Blood Cell
White Blood Cells (pronunciation: /waɪt blʌd sɛl/), also known as leukocytes (pronunciation: /ˈluːkəˌsaɪts/), are the cells of the Immune system that are involved in protecting the body against both infectious disease and foreign invaders. The name "white blood cell" comes from the physical appearance of a transparent cell that is colorless, or white, when viewed under standard microscopic conditions.
Etymology
The term "white blood cell" is derived from the physical appearance of the cells after centrifugation. White blood cells are actually colorless, but appear white in a blood sample because they form a thin layer between the red blood cells and the blood plasma in a centrifuge tube. The term "leukocyte" is derived from the Greek words "leukos" (meaning "white") and "kytos" (meaning "hollow vessel").
Types of White Blood Cells
White blood cells are divided into five main types:
Each of these types of white blood cells plays a different role in the immune response, and the number of each type of white blood cell in the body can change in response to many conditions.
Function
White blood cells are an essential part of the Immune system. Their main role is to fight infection and disease. They do this by attacking and destroying the organisms that cause infection, such as bacteria, viruses, and other foreign invaders.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on White Blood Cell
- Wikipedia's article - White Blood Cell
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