The
leucocytes are cells of the immune system which are involved in the defense
against both infectious diseases and foreign materials (Lafleur-Brooks; 2008).
They are derived from the puripotent stem cell in the bone marrow known as the
hematopoietic stem cells. The neutralization, killing and poisoning of the
germs is possible in the human system because of the involvement of WBC; these
cells can be induced to produce
antibodies with the help of vanccine
thus preparing the body for defense.
They
are also called leucocytes because they have no haemoglobin, which makes them
appear colourless and are found throughout the body including the blood and the
lymphatic system (Maton et al; 1000008). They are nucleated and amoeboid; the
amoeboid nature of these cells helps them to squeeze through the wall of the
blood vessels in order to engulf bacteria. These cells can be divided into two
main types; the granulocytes (containing grnules) such as the neutrophils,
eosinophils and basophils and the other type called the aggranulocytes and
monocytes.
The numbers of white cells are normally between 4-110 x 109/L
white blood cells in a liter of blood making it up to 1% in a healthy adult
(Albert;2005). White blood cell counts below or above 4.0 x 109/L or 11.109/L
is called leucopaenia and leucocytosis respectively and the physical properties
of leucocytes such as volume, conductivity and granularity may be due to
activation, presence of immature cells or malignant leucocytes which leads to
leukaemia.
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T. (1983). “What Do Carbon Monoxide Levels Mean?”. Alaska Science Forum.
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Haematocrit
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N.B. (1998). “Emergency department visits for CO poisoning in htre Pacific Northwest”.
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