Leukocytes, also known as white blood cells, are the
cells of the immune system. The role of leukocytes is to fight infection
by destroying the bacteria, viruses and other foreign organisms (pathogens)
which are responsible for it. They do this in a number of ways that can
be broadly divided into the acquired immune
system which recognises specific invaders and the innate
immune system which does not recognise specific invaders. In fact the
two systems closely interact with eachother and the division is far from
total.
Leukocytes communicate with eachother and with other cells
of the body via chemical messagers called cytokines.
All leukocytes originate in the bone
marrow, though some are matured in other sites such as the thymus
(T-cells) and spleen.
Leukocytes divide up into five types within two classes:
Polymorphonuclear Granulocytes
Mononuclear Agranulocytes
Leukocyte Links:
Blood:
Outline
Blood
cells and the CBC
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