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Basophils

Basophils are a type of granulocytes, which are in turn a type of leucocytes (white blood cells).
Granulocytes (including basophils) are distinguished from the other category of leucocytes (called agranulocytes) because granulocytes contain chemical-filled cytoplasmic vesicles called "granules".

 

0.5-1% of all white blood cells are basophils.
Basophils are 8-10 um in diameter, have nuclei that have 2 lobes, and large cytoplasmic granules that appear deep blue - purple in colour..

   

An increased (higher than usual) percentage of basophils in the blood may indicate an inflammatory condition somewhere in the body.

The functions of basophils include the liberation of heparin, histamine, and seratonin in allergic reactions.


For more information about other components (or "constituents") of blood, see the page about:
The Structure and Functions of Blood. This may interest students of massage, reflexology, beauty therapies, or other health or clinical courses.

 
Essential Haematology (Essential S.)
Crash Course: Immunology & Haematology...


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