White blood cells (leukocytes)

Definition

White blood cells (leukocytes) are a crucial component of the immune system responsible for protecting the body against infections and foreign invaders. They play a key role in both the inflammatory response and the body's defense mechanisms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. There are five main types of white blood cells: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.
2. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are often the first responders to microbial infection.
3. Lymphocytes include B cells and T cells, which are vital for adaptive immunity.
4. White blood cells can move out of the bloodstream to reach sites of infection or inflammation through a process called chemotaxis.
5. Anti-inflammatory drugs may affect white blood cell function by reducing their ability to release inflammatory mediators.

Review Questions

• What are the five main types of white blood cells?
• How do neutrophils contribute to the body's immune response?
• Explain how anti-inflammatory drugs can impact white blood cell functions.

Related terms

Inflammatory Response:

A biological reaction of body tissues to harmful stimuli such as pathogens or damaged cells.

Chemotaxis: The movement of an organism or cell in response to chemical stimuli.

Adaptive Immunity:

A subsystem of the immune system that is composed of specialized systemic cells and processes that eliminate pathogens by preventing their growth.