|
 |
|
Lymphocytes |
|
Lymphocytes are a type of agranulocytes,
which are in turn a type of leucocytes (white
blood cells).
Agranulocytes (including lymphocytes) are distinguished from the
other category of leucocytes (called
granulocytes)
because agranulocytes do not contain chemical-filled
cytoplasmic vesicles called "granules".
|
| |
There are several different types of lymphocytes,
such as B-Cells, T-Cells,
and Natural
Killer Cells. |
| |
20-25% of all white
blood cells are lymphocytes.
Small lymphocytes are 6-9 um in diameter while large lymphocytes
are 10-14 um in diameter. They have round or slightly indented
nuclei and cytoplasm forming a sky-blue coloured rim around the
nucleus of each cell.
|
| |
|
Lymphocytes are extremely important for the
body's immune system because they mediate immune responses,
including antigen-antibody
reactions. Each of the different types of lymphocyte plays
a different role in immune processes: |
|
B-Cells: Develop into plasma cells - which
screte antibodies. |
|
T-Cells: Attack invading viruses, cancer
cells, and transplanted tissue cells. |
|
Natural Killer Cells: Attack a wide range
of infectious microbes and some tumour cells (specifically,
spontaneously arising tumour cells).
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
