White Blood Cells" redirects here. For the album by The White Stripes, see White Blood Cells (album). A scanning electron microscope image of normal circulating human blood. In addition to the irregularly shaped leukocytes, both red blood cells and many small disc-shaped platelets are visible.
White blood cells (WBCs), or leukocytes(also spelled "leucocytes"), are cells of the immune system defending the body against both infectious disease and foreign materials. Five[1] different and diverse types of leukocytes exist, but they are all produced and derived from a multipotent cell in the bone marrow known as a hematopoietic stem cell. Leukocytes are found throughout the body, including the blood and lymphatic system.[2]
The number of WBCs in the blood is often an indicator of disease. There are normally between 4×109 and 1.1×1010 white blood cells in a litre of blood, making up approximately 1% of blood in a healthy adult.[3] An increase in the number of leukocytes over the upper limits is called leukocytosis, and a decrease below the lower limit is called leukopenia. The physical properties of leukocytes, such as volume, conductivity, and granularity, may change due to activation, the presence of immature cells, or the presence of malignant leukocytes in leukemia.
Contents[hide]The name "white blood cell" derives from the fact that after centrifugation of a blood sample, the white cells are found in the buffy coat, a thin, typically white layer of nucleated cells between the sedimented red blood cells and the blood plasma. The scientific term leukocyte directly reflects this description, derived from Greek leukos (white), and kytos (cell). Blood plasma may sometimes be green if there are large amounts of neutrophils in the sample, due to the heme-containing enzyme myeloperoxidase that they produce.
[edit] TypesThere are several different types of white blood cells. They all have many things in common, but are all different. A major distinguishing feature of some leukocytes is the presence of granules; white blood cells are often characterized as granulocytes or agranulocytes:
Neutrophils defend against bacterial or fungal infection and other very small inflammatory processes that are usually first responders to microbial infection; their activity and death in large numbers forms pus. They are commonly referred to as polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes, although technically PMN refers to all granulocytes. They have a multilobed nucleus which may appear like multiple nuclei, hence the name polymorphonuclear leukocyte. The cytoplasm may look transparent because of fine granules that are faintly pink. Neutrophils are very active in phagocytosing bacteria and are present in large amount in the pus of wounds. These cells are not able to renew their lysosomes used in digesting microbes and die after having phagocytosed a few pathogens.[citation needed] Most common cell seen in acute inflammation, come in and kill foreign substance.
[edit] EosinophilMain article: EosinophilEosinophils primarily deal with parasitic infections and an increase in them may indicate such. Eosinophils are also the predominant inflammatory cells in allergic reactions. The most important causes of eosinophilia include Allergies such as Asthma, hay fever, and hives; and also parasitic infections. Generally their nucleus is bi-lobed. The cytoplasm is full of granules which assume a characteristic pink-orange color with eosin stain.
[edit] BasophilMain article: Basophil granulocyteBasophils are chiefly responsible for allergic and antigen response by releasing the chemical histamine causing inflammation. The nucleus is bi- or tri-lobed, but it is hard to see because of the number of coarse granules which hide it. They are characterized by their large blue granules.
[edit] LymphocyteMain article: LymphocyteLymphocytes are much more common in the lymphatic system. Lymphocytes are distinguished by having a deeply staining nucleus which may be eccentric in location, and a relatively small amount of cytoplasm. The blood has three types of lymphocytes:
Monocytes share the "vacuum cleaner" (phagocytosis) function of neutrophils, but are much longer lived as they have an additional role: they present pieces of pathogens to T cells so that the pathogens may be recognized again and killed, or so that an antibody response may be mounted. Monocytes eventually leave the bloodstream to become tissue macrophages which remove dead cell debris as well as attacking microorganisms. Neither of these can be dealt with effectively by the neutrophils. Unlike neutrophils, monocytes are able to replace their lysosomal contents and are thought to have a much longer active life. They have the kidney shaped nucleus and are typically agranulated. They also possess abundant cytoplasm.
Once monocytes move from the bloodstream out into the body tissues, they undergo changes (differentiate) allowing phagocytosis and are then known as macrophages.
[edit] Medication causing leukopeniaSome medications can have an impact on the number and function of white blood cells. Leukopenia is the reduction in the number of white blood cells, which may affect the overall white cell count or one of the specific populations of white blood cells. For example, if the number of neutrophils is low, the condition is known as neutropenia. Likewise, low lymphocyte levels are termed lymphopenia. Medications which can cause leukopenia include clozapine, an antipsychotic medication with a rare adverse effect leading to the total absence of all granulocytes (neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils). Other medications include immunosuppressive drugs, such as sirolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, and cyclosporine. Interferons used to treat multiple sclerosis, like Rebif, Avonex, and Betaseron, can also cause leukopenia.
[edit] Fixed leukocytesSome leukocytes migrate into the tissues of the body to take up a permanent residence at that location rather than remaining in the blood. Often these cells have specific names depending upon which tissue they settle in, such as fixed macrophages in the liver which become known as Kupffer cells. These cells still serve a role in the immune system.
Actually, red blood cells are the most common blood cells. But they is two most common white blood cells; Lymphocytes and Neutrophils. Lymphocytes are made in lymphoid tissue in the spleen, lymph nodes, and thymus gland. There are different kinds of lymphocytes. Lymphocytes identify foreign substances from germs (bacteria or viruses) in the body and produce antibodies and cells that specifically target them. It takes from several days to weeks for lymphocytes to recognize and attack a new foreign substance. Neutrophils are also major players in the body's defense against bacterial infections. Neutrophils are made in the bone marrow and circulate in the bloodstream. Neutrophils move out of the blood vessels into the infected tissue to attack the bacteria. The pus in a boil (an abscess) is made up largely of neutrophils. Normally a serious bacterial infection causes the body to produce an increased number of neutrophils, resulting in a higher than normal white blood cell count (WBC). When the WBC is low, there may not be enough neutrophils to defend against bacterial infections.
Neutrophils
neutrophil
A blood film or peripheral blood smear is a microscope slide made from a drop of blood, that allows the cells to be examined microscopically
Due to the limited field of vision of microscopes, it is comparatively easier to count the number of white blood cells in a stained blood smear under low power than under high magnification. Although the individual cells would be smaller and thus more difficult to count, there would be more in view at any given time.
Thin smears of blood are needed to investigate hematological problems or disorders of the blood. It is also used to identify the parasite within the blood. Thick films enables the microscopist to screen the blood of a larger volume. They are more sensitive than the thin film.
The smear will not adhere well if there is grease on the slide.
your sample can destroy the bacteria and it will appear shapeless or enlarged when you overheat the bacterial smear
Neutrophils
Neutrophils
Yes, it is very common for pap smears to go from abnormal to normal.
should not blood on the sweb but infection is compound then blood possible
A blood film or peripheral blood smear is a microscope slide made from a drop of blood, that allows the cells to be examined microscopically
Blood
It's not unusual for women to have a small amount of bleeding with their pap smear. On its own, blood in the pap smear has no clinical significance.
a frog blood smear reveals that its red blood cells are ovoid in nature as compared to the human RBCs that are spherical in nature. i think that's the main difference that u will find with a frog blood smear
lllpp
No, it's not normal to have burning after a pap smear. Talk with your health care provider to determine what sort of follow-up is needed.
It's not normal to have cramping six days after a pap smear, and you should contact your health care provider.
It's not normal to have cramping six days after a pap smear, and you should contact your health care provider.