Week 3- White Cells

Question 1

What cells do granulocytes arise from?

Answer 1

Myeloid stem cells

Question 2

What cells do the class of granulocytes contain?

Answer 2

Neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils

Question 3

What are the granulocytes growth factors?

Answer 3

M-CSF: macrophage colony stimulating factor
G-CSF: granulocytes cell signaling factor
GM- CSF: mix of both

Question 4

Describe the structure and function of neutrophils

Answer 4

They have a lobed/segmented nucleus, main role is phagocytosis (first step of which is chemotaxis), they circulate 7-10hrs before migrating to tissues

Question 5

Describe the function of eosinophils

Answer 5

Their main role is protection against parasitic infection, circulate less than neutrophils

Question 6

Describe the function of basophils

Answer 6

Their granules contain histamine and heparin as well as proteolytic enzymes, function is involvement in a variety of immune and inflammatory responses

Question 7

Describe the function of monocytes

Answer 7

Phagocytosis and scavenging and present antigens to lymphoid cells.

Question 8

What cells do lymphocytes come from?

Answer 8

Haemopoeitic stem cells

Question 9

Describe the function of B cells

Answer 9

Produce antibodies

Question 10

Describe the function of T cells

Answer 10

Cell mediated immunity

Question 11

Describe the role of NK cells

Answer 11

Innate immune response- kill tumor and virus infected cells

Question 12

What are the 3 types of lymphocyte?

Answer 12

B cells, T cells and NK cells

Question 13

What are the main white cell abnormalities?

Answer 13

Leucocytosis: too many white cells- neutro/eosino/baso philia OR lympho/mono cytosis
Leucopenia: too few white cells- neutro/lympho penia

Question 14

Describe the characteristics and symptoms of neutrophilia

Answer 14

Occurs due to infection, infarction etc
Accompanied by left shift (increase in no of neutrophil precursors)
Toxic granulation (heavy granulation)

Question 15

Describe the characteristics and symptoms of neutropenia

Answer 15

Occurs due to chemo/radio therapy, autoimmune conditions, viral/bacterial infection etc
When neutrophils are v low patient is at high risk of infection and should be treated with intravenous antibiotics

Question 16

What is neutrophil hyper-segmentation and why does it happen?

Answer 16

When a neutrophil’s nucleus has more than 5 lobes. Occurs due to B12 and folate deficiency

Question 17

What are some causes of lymphocytosis?

Answer 17

Bacterial/viral infection, leukaemia

Question 18

What are some causes of lymphopenia?

Answer 18

Chemo/radio therapy, HIV, corticosteroids, severe infections

Question 19

What are some causes of monocytosis?

Answer 19

Infection, chronic inflammation, leukaemia

Question 20

What are some causes of eosinophilia?

Answer 20

Allergy or parasitic infection, leukaemia

Question 21

What are some causes of basophilia?

Answer 21

V uncommon, usually due to leukemia

Question 22

What cells do monocytes come from?

Answer 22

Myeloid stem cells

Question 23

What do monocytes mature into and when?

Answer 23

Into macrophages when they migrate into tissues