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Basophils |
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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".
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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..
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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. |
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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.
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