The white blood cells (WBCs) make up the majority of the immune system that is the part of the body which protects itself against foreign substance and different types of infections. The WBCs or leukocytes are made in the bone marrow from multi-potent cells called hematopoietic stem cells (University of Wisconsin, n.d). Neutrophills are the first type of white blood cells in the body and their main function is to block the passageway of germs that attempt to access the blood through cuts or infections. They kill germs through “cell-eating” process (Dupre-Neary, 2017). The second type of leukocytes is the lymphocytes which are small and round with large nucleus within the cytoplasm. The main function of lymphocytes is to produce antibodies. The production of antibodies is one of the last steps in creating resistance by the body against infections and diseases.
The third type of WBCs is monocytes which are the largest types of the white blood cells. They are macrophages whose job is to phagocyosis or cell-eating of any kind of dead cell in the body. Due to their large size, they can digest large foreign particles in wounds (Alarcon, 2016). Eosinophils are the fourth type of white blood cells and have large granules that assist them to execute their cellular functions. Their main function is to release toxins to kill germs or pathogens. For instance, they act against worms and parasites. Basophils are the last type of white blood cells and the least in quantity (Dupre-Neary, 2017). Basophils secrete anticoagulants and antibodies that fight against hypersensitivity reactions in the blood. They are part of the immune system’s way of fighting foreign pathogens in the body. They also ensure that the body produces more immune cells when one gets an injury.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
References
Alarcon, P. (2016) White Blood Cell Function Overview of the Immune System; Retrieved from https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/960027-overview
Dupre-Neary, D. (2017) Five Types of Blood Cells; Retrieved from https://www.livestrong.com/article/115591-five-types-white-blood-cells/
University of Wisconsin (n.d) Learn About the Five Common White Blood Cells; Retrieved from http://www.uwosh.edu/med_tech/what-is-elementary-hematology/white-blood-cells
