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Neutrophils |
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Neutrophils are a type of granulocytes,
which are in turn a type of leucocytes (white
blood cells).
Granulocytes (including neutrophils) are distinguished from
the other category of leucocytes (called
agranulocytes)
because granulocytes contain chemical-filled
cytoplasmic vesicles called "granules".
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60-70% of all white
blood cells are neutrophils.
Neutrophils are 10-12 um in diameter, have nuclei that have 2-5
lobes, and cytoplasm that includes very fine pale lilac granules.
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Neutrophils are the first leucocytes to respond to
bacterial invasion of the body.
They act by carrying out the process of phagocytosis and also by releasing
enzymes - such as lysozyme, that destroy certain bacteria.
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Phagocytosis is the engulfment and digestion of bacteria
and other antigens by phagocytes:
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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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