Hematology 2

Leukocytes (WBCs)
They contain nucleus, ribosomes and other organelles.
The only formed elements that are complete cells with a nucleus and cytoplasmic organelles
Leukocytes & .
They are colorless.
Leukocytes primarily function as defense agents outside the blood.

RBC

RBC

Five different types of circulating leukocytes that vary in structure, function, and number:

The five type of leukocytes fall into two main categories:

Polymorphonuclear (Granulocytes):
Contain granules in cytoplasm
Nuclei contain several lobes or varying shapes
The types are:
Eosinophils, Basophils, Neutrophils

Granulocytes

Eosinophils, Basophils, Neutrophils

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 Mononuclear (Agranulocytes):
Lack cytoplasmic granules
Have a single non-segmented nucleus
Types are:
Monocytes, Lymphocytes:

Agranulocytes

Monocytes, Lymphocytes

Production:
Originate from same undifferentiated
multipotent stem cells in red bone marrow
Granulocytes and monocytes are produced only
in bone marrow
Most new lymphocytes are produced by
lymphocytes already in lymphoid tissue.

Total number of white cells and percentage of each type may vary to meet needs.
Leukocytosis: An increase in the number of circulating WBCs.
Leukopenia: A decrease in the number of circulating WBCs.

Granulocytes and monocytes

Life span of WBCs

Granulocytes.
Stay in blood for 4-8 hours and in the tissues 5 days
When there is serious infection their whole life span is shortened to few hours
Monocytes
Stay in the blood for 10-20 hours & then they leave to different tissues = Tissue
macrophages
Tissue macrophages can live for months. If there is infection these macrophages may die
earlier.
Lymphocytes:
Circulate between blood and lymphoid tissues through lymph.
They survive for weeks and month.
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 Monocytes

Phagocytes:
Neutrophils, monocytes, Macrophages, eosinophils.
** Basophiles & Lymphocytes & Mast cells are Non-phagocytes
Actions of Phagocytic Cells:
Margination and extravasation
Chemotaxis and motility
Ameboid motion
Phagocytosis

Phagocytes
Neutrophils, monocytes, Macrophages, eosinophils

Phagocytes basophiles Mast cells

How does a phagocytic cell kill a microorganism?
Enzymatic digestion:
Reactive oxygen metabolites (ROS):
Superoxide anion & Hydrogen peroxide & Hydroxyl radicals
Complement system.

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 ROS

WBCs in depth
Neutrophils - most numerous WBC
Nucleus
Has two to six lobes
Granules pick up acidic and basic stains
Phagocytic specialists = (destroy bacteria by ingestion)
Functions
First-line defenders against bacterial invasion
Very important in inflammatory responses
Scavengers that help to clean up debris

Eosinophils - 1 4% of all WBCs

Increase in circulating eosinophils (eosinophilia) is associated with:
Allergic conditions such as asthma and hay fever (allergic rhinitis).
Internal parasite infestations, such as worms
Attach to worm and secrete substances to kill it.

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Basophils - 0.5% of all leukocytes
Least numerous and most poorly understood of the leukocytes
Quite similar structurally and functionally to mast cells
Synthesize and store
Histamine:
Release is important in allergic reactions & in inflammation
Heparin
Can also prevent clotting of blood samples (anticoagulant)

mast cells

Lymphocytes - 20 45% of WBCs

The most important cells of the immune system
Effective in fighting infectious organisms
Act against a specific foreign molecule (antigen)
Two types of lymphocytes
B lymphocytes
Attack foreign cells indirectly, How?
Multiply to become plasma cells that secrete antibodies
Produce antibodies
Responsible to antibody-mediated or humoral immunity
T lymphocytes
Do not produce antibodies
Attack foreign cells directly
- By cell-mediated immunity
- Via releasing chemicals that punch holes in the victim cell
- Target cells include body cells invaded by viruses and cancer cells
Most of the time they are found in lymphoid tissue, lymph & blood (least time).

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 Monocytes compose 4 8% of WBCs
Emerge from bone marrow while still immature and then go to various tissues in body
Mature and enlarge in resident tissue and become macrophages.
They can be called different names when they stay in different tissues.
Histiocytes, Alveolar macrophage, Kupffer cells, Microglia
Life span can range from several months to years.
Most powerful phagocyte & largest WBC.

Monocytes
macrophages

Cell Percentage Note

Neutrophils 62% Granulocytes Most abundant cells
Eosinophils 2% Or Work in parasitic infection
Basophils 1% Polymorphonuclear Least abundant cells & non-phagocytes
Monocytes 5% Agranulocytes or Kidney (oval shaped) like nucleus & The
Mononuclear largest leukocytes
Lymphocytes 30% Non-phagocytes

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 Notes:
Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas
Neutrophils will increase in number in cases of acute infection.
T lymphocytes contributes to graft rejection.
The most powerful phagocytes are:
Monocytes & Neutrophils.
Monocytes will increase in number in cases of chronic infection.
Monocytes are very important in starting immune responses:
Activates the lymphocytes.

N-L-
M-E-B WBC
Phagocytes
. Neutrophils
.
Monocytes & Neutrophils :
. Monocytes
: Monocytes
.

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