LO6 : F UN C T I ON OF

FUNCTION OF
WHI T E BLOOD
CE LLS
WHITE BLOOD
CELLS
 INTRODUCTION
White blood cell, or leukocyte is a cellular component of the blood.

The immune system is made up of specialized cells and proteins.

Some of these specialized cells include white blood cells such as lymphocytes (B cells and T cells) and phagocytes
(neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages).

White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. The complement system is a group of proteins found in the blood that
are critical in defense against infection.

It will ingest foreign materials and cellular debris by destroying the infectious agents and cancerous cells or by producing
antibodies.

When our body is in distress and a particular area is under attack, white blood cells rush in to help destroy the harmful
substance and prevent illness. Infections by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites may all increase the number of
neutrophils in the blood.

HTTP://WWW.MSDMANUALS.COM/HOME/BLOOD-DISORDERS/WHITE-BLOOD-CELL-
DISORDERS/NEUTROPHILIC-LEUKOCYTOSIS
 FUNCTION OF WHITE BLOOD CELLS
GRANULOCYTES
 Contain granule in the cytoplasm
 Varying shape of the nucleus
therefore known as
polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
NEUTROPHIL FUNCTION:
 Kill and digest bacteria and fungi.
They are the most numerous type of
white blood cell and body’s first line
of defense when infection strikes.
BASOPHIL FUNCTION:
 Release a chemical known as
histamine in order to start the
process of getting rid of something
foreign in the body
EOSINOPHIL FUNCTION:
 Attack and kill parasites,
destroy cancer cells, and help with
allergic responses
FUNCTION OF WHITE BLOOD CELLS (contd. )
AGRANULOCYTES: LYMPHOCYTE FUNCTION:

 Absence of granules in their  Create antibodies to defend against

cytoplasm bacteria, viruses, and other
potentially harmful invaders

MONOCYTE FUNCTION:
 They have a longer lifespan than
many white blood cells and help to
break down bacteria

 Precursors for macrophage

 T cells are responsible for long-lasting protection against infections.

Helper T cells detect infection and get the other cells of the immune
system ready for battle. Helper T cells also tell B cells to produce
antibodies, highly specialized proteins that help defend the body
against infection.

T CELLS
Cytotoxic, or killer, T cells destroy infected cells.

Regulatory T cells tell the immune system when the battle with the
pathogens is over and to stop fighting.

Memory T cells remember how to defeat an infection and can

respond rapidly if the same infection reoccurs.
HTTP://WWW.IMMUNEDISEASE.COM/ABOUT-PI/THE-IMMUNE-SYSTEM/BLOOD.HTML
 When B cells encounter disease-causing substances, they respond by maturing into plasma cells
which produce antibodies. Antibodies are highly specialized proteins in the blood also known as
immunoglobulins. Antibodies attach themselves to foreign invaders and mark them for
destruction.
IgM antibodies are the first to respond. They offer important protection during the early days of
infection. These antibodies tend to stay in the bloodstream where they aid in killing bacteria.

IgG antibodies are the next to respond. These antibodies are formed in large quantities and
work in the blood and tissues of the body. They bind to pathogens so that the immune cells
have an easier time destroying them.
B CELLS
IgA antibodies are secreted in body fluids such as tears, saliva, and mucus. They protect against
infection in the respiratory tract and intestines.

IgE antibodies are normally present in trace amounts and are important in allergic reactions.

IgD antibodies may be present on the surface of B cells.

 MECHANISM OF NEUTROPHIL ON INFECTION
Having a high percentage of neutrophils in your blood is called neutrophilia. This is a sign that your body has an infection.

The primary function of neutrophils is phagocytosis, the ingestion and destruction of microorganisms or other foreign particles.

When a neutrophil is faced with a microorganism or foreign particle, phagocytosis begins. The following steps are carried out
by the neutrophil during phagocytosis:

◦ They look for invading pathogens that have antibodies bound to them and then send alert signals for other macrophages to
come and destroy them.

◦ The neutrophil extends pseudopods around the foreign material and engulfs it.

◦ Digestive enzymes present in the neutrophilic granules are released into the vacuole containing the foreign particle, and the
particle is destroyed.

The increased number of neutrophils is a necessary reaction by the body, as it tries to heal or ward off an invading
microorganism or foreign substance.
HTTP://WWW.MSDMANUALS.COM/HOME/BLOOD-DISORDERS/WHITE-BLOOD-CELL-
DISORDERS/NEUTROPHILIC-LEUKOCYTOSIS