White blood cells are also referred to as WBCs or leukocytes. They are the cells that make up the majority of the immune system, which is the part of the body that protects itself against foreign substances and various types of infections. Leukocytes are made in the bone marrow from multipotent cells called hematopoietic stem cells. Leukocytes exist in all parts of the body, including the connective tissue, lymph system, and the bloodstream. There are five different types of white blood cells, each of which has a different funtions in the immune system.
Five White Blood Cells Types and Their Functions
There are two different kinds of white blood cells and each looks different from one another under the microscope. These include granulocytes and agranulocytes.
- Granulocytes have visible granules or grains inside the cells that have different cell functions. Types of granulocytes include basophils, neutrophils, and eosinophils.
- Agranulocytes are free of visible grains under the microscope and include lymphocytes and monocytes.
Together, they coordinate with one another to fight off things like cancer, cellular damage, and infectious diseases. Below, detailed information about each type will be discussed.
1. Neutrophils
Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cell in the body with levels of between 2000 to 7500 cells per mm3 in the bloodstream. Neutrophils are medium-sized white blood cells with irregular nuclei and many granules that perform various functions within the cell.
Function: Neutrophils function by attaching to the walls of the blood vessels, blocking the passageway of germs that try to gain access to the blood through a cut or infectious area. Neutrophils are the first cells to reach an area where a breach in the body has been made. They kill germs by means of a process known as phagocytosis or “cell-eating”. Besides eating bacteria one-by-one, they also release a burst of super oxides that have the ability to kill many bacteria at the same time.
2. Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are small, round cells that have a large nucleus within a small amount of cytoplasm. They have an important function in the immune system, being major players in the humoral immune system, which is the part of the immune system that relates to antibody production. Lymphocytes tend to take up residence in lymphatic tissues, including the spleen, tonsils, and lymph nodes. There are about 1300 to 4000 lymphocytes per mm3 of blood.
Function: B lymphocytes make antibodies, which is one of the final steps in disease resistance. When B lymphocytes make antibodies, they prime pathogens for destruction and then make memory cells ready that can go into action at any time, remembering a previous infection with a specific pathogen. T lymphocytes are another type of lymphocyte, differentiated in the thymus and important in cell-mediated immunity.
3. Monocytes
Monocytes are the largest of the types of white blood cells. There are only about 200-800 monocytes per mm3 of blood. Monocytes are agranulocytes, meaning they have few granules in the cytoplasm when seen under the microscope. Monocytes turn into macrophages when they exit the bloodstream.
Function: As macrophages, monocytes do the job of phagocytosis (cell-eating) of any type of dead cell in the body, whether it is a somatic cell or a dead neutrophil. Because of their large size, they have the ability to digest large foreign particles in a wound unlike other kinds of white blood cells.
4. Eosinophils
There aren’t that many eosinophils in the bloodstream—only about 40-400 cells per mm3 of blood. They have large granules that help in cellular functions. Eosinophils are especially important when it comes to allergies and worm infestations.
Function: Eosinophils work by releasing toxins from their granules to kill pathogens. The main pathogens eosinophils act against are parasites and worms. High eosinophil counts are associated with allergic reactions.
5. Basophils
Basophils are the least frequent type of white blood cell, with only 0-100 cells per mm3 of blood. Basophils have large granules that perform functions that are not well known. They are very colorful when stained and looked at under the microscope, making them easy to identify.
Function: Basophils have the ability to secrete anticoagulants and antibodies that have function against hypersensitivity reactions in the bloodstream. They act immediately as part of the immune system’s action against foreign invaders. Basophils contain histamine, which dilates the vessels to bring more immune cells to the area of injury.
You can also learn types of white blood cells in greater detail from the video below:
Monitor Your White Blood Cell Counts
Your doctor will monitor your white blood cell count if there is evidence of infection or if you are on medication that may lower your white blood cell count. If you have an abnormal white blood cell count, you can have “leukopenia”, which means low white blood cell count, or “leukocytosis”, which is a high white blood cell count.
Leukopenia is a low white blood cell count that can be caused by damage to the bone marrow from things like medications, radiation, or chemotherapy. Folate or vitamin B12 deficiency can also result in it. So can lymphoma, in which cancer cells take over the bone marrow, preventing the release of the various types of white blood cells. HIV is another condition that can damage the production of white blood cells, leading to leukopenia.
Leukocytosis is a high white blood cell count that can be caused by a number of conditions, including various types of infections, inflammatory disease in your body, situations where are a high number of dead cells in the body, leukemia and allergies.