Granulocytes and macrophages Flashcards
What are granulocytes?
White blood cells with granules in their cytoplasm
What is the most predominant type of granulocyte in the blood?
Neutrophil
What are neutrophils?
Phagocytic cells, that are the most numerous component of the innate immune system, they are also found at sites of acute inflammation.
What are the three types of granulocyte?
Neutrophil
Basophil
Eosinophil
What are eosinophils involved in?
They’re important in defence against parasitic infections because their numbers increase during parasitic infection. They’re involved in atopic reactions such as asthma.
How are eosinophils’ granules stained?
Using eosin and other acidic dyes.
What do the granules of eosinophils contain?
Basic proteins.
Are basophils common in the blood?
No, they’re found at low numbers.
What is the function of the basophil?
It is similar complementary to that of eosinophils and mast cells.
How are the granules of basophils stained?
Using basic dyes and therefore they contain acidic proteins.
What do the granules of basophils contain?
Histamine, leukotrienes, vasoactive mediators and platelet activating factor.
What is a macrophage?
Major phagocytic cells which play a critical role in innate immunity, they are widely distributed in all body tissues.
What is a monocyte?
A circulating cell which differentiates into a macrophage upon migration into tissues.
