White Blood Cells and Haemostasis Flashcards
What is haemostasis?
Cessation of blood loss
What are innate responses?
General, non-specific processes against infectious agents
What components make up the innate responses?
Skin
Phagocytosis of micro-organisms
Destruction by stomach acids/enzymes
Hydrolytic enzymes released by immune cells
What is an adaptive response?
Directed response against specific infectious agents
What unique feature is present in adaptive responses?
improve on repeated exposure to the same infection
How many leukocytes are found per litre of blood?
4-10 x 10^9 cells
Which leukocytes have roles in phagocytosis?
Neutrophils
monocytes
eosinophils
How do basophils and lymphocytes attack foreign bodies?
Release hydrolytic enzymes, histamine and other chemicals from cytoplasmic granules
Are leukocytes nucleated?
Yes
What stain can help differentiate leukocytes under the microscope?
Wright’s stain
How does Wright’s stain differentiate between leukocytes?
Nuclear shape and cytoplasmic colour
What leukocytes are granulocytes?
neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils
What is the bone marrow precursor cell of granulocytes?
Myelocytes
What unique feature do granulocytes have?
Multi-nucleated
What other cell found in blood is formed from myelocytes?
Thrombocytes
What controls the formation of myelocytes?
Cytokine
How long do myelocytes stay in bone marrow?
6-10 days
How long do myelocytes reside in circulation?
6-10 hours
How long do myelocytes stay in tissues?
4-5 days
Where is the reserve pool of myelocytes?
Bone marrow
What is the most common circulating WBC in adults?
Neutrophils
How do neutrophils travel through tissues?
Squeeze through pores of capillaries by diapedesis
When do numbers off neutrophils increase?
During infection
Are eosinophils phagocytic?
Yes but weakly