composition of blood - white blood cells

Question 1

What are white blood cells also called?

Answer 1

leucocytes

Question 2

Name 5 points about white blood cells:

Refer to their size, shape, cellular structures, life and ratios

Answer 2

1. They are larger than red blood cells.
2. Have no definite shape.
3. Have a nucleus.
4. Live for a few days but some types live for years.
5. 700 red:1 white

Question 3

Where are white blood cells made?

Answer 3

They are made in the bone marrow and some mature in the lymphatic system

Question 4

What is the role/function of white blood cells?

Answer 4

They defend the body against infection and to fight infections already present in the body.

Question 5

What do the majority of white blood cells do?

Answer 5

They attack bacteria in the body.
They surround (engulf) the bacteria and digest them.
These white blood cells are called phagocytes.

Question 6

What are white blood cells that engulf and digest bacteria called?

Answer 6

Phagocytes

Question 7

What is phagocytosis?

Answer 7

The way in which a cell eats solid particles is called phagocytosis

Question 8

What are lymphocytes?

Answer 8

They are white blood cells that react to invading particles by producing antibodies.

Question 9

What are white blood cells that react to invading particles by producing antibodies known as?

Answer 9

lymphocytes

Question 10

What are the two types of white blood cells you must study?

Answer 10

Lymphocytes and monocytes

Question 11

Answer the following questions in terms of Lymphocytes:

1. Where are the made?
2. Where do they mature?
3. Where are they stored?
4. What % are they of all white blood cells?
5. How long can they live for?
6. How are they shaped and what do they contain?

Answer 11

1. They are made in the bone marrow,
2. and mature in lymphatic tissue.
3. All of them are later stored in parts of the lymphatic system (e.g. spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils, adenoids, thymus gland).
4. 25% of all white blood cells.
5. between 3 months and 10 years.
6. They have a large round nucleus, with very little cytoplasm

Question 12

Name the parts of the lymphatic system (5)

Answer 12

spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils, adenoids, thymus gland

Question 13

What is the main function of lymphocytes?

Answer 13

It is to make antibodies.

Antibodies help the body to resist infection by micro-organisms

Question 14

What do antibodies do?

Answer 14

Antibodies help the body to resist infection by micro-organisms

Question 15

Answer the following questions in terms of monocytes:

1. Where are they made?
2. What % are they of all white blood cells?
3. How long can they live?
4. How are they shaped?

Answer 15

1. They are formed in the bone marrow.
2. They comprise about 5% of white blood cells.
3. They survive for 6-9 days.
4. They have kidney-shaped nuclei.

Question 16

What is the function of monocytes?

Answer 16

It is to scavenge throughout the body and surround and digest bacteria and other particles so they act as phagocytes.

Question 17

What do monocytes act as?

Answer 17

phagocytes

Question 18

What can monocytes also be referred to as?

Answer 18

macrophages (meaning large phagocytes)

Question 19

What % do monocytes and lymphocytes make up of all white blood cells?
What is the remaining per cent?

Answer 19

They make up about 30% of white blood cells.

The remaining 70% white blood cells act as phagocytes