Leukocytes: The Body's White Blood Cells

Blood Components and Functions

• Platelets' main function is to help blood clot and stop bleeding when a vessel is injured.
• Red Blood Cells (erythrocytes) make up 45% of blood, as measured by hematocrit.

Thermoregulation

• When the body is hot, blood circulates more to the skin to help lose heat.

Oxygenation

• Oxygenated blood gets its brighter red color from oxygen binding to hemoglobin.

Immune System

• Antibodies help fight infections by recognizing and binding to specific pathogens.
• Individuals with Rh negative blood may develop Rh antibodies if exposed to Rh positive blood.

Blood Types

• Blood type AB has both A and B antigens on the erythrocytes.
• AB positive blood is considered the universal recipient because it can accept blood from any ABO type.

Erythrocytes

• Erythrocytes' main function is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues.

Plasma Proteins

• Albumin is the most common plasma protein.

Hemopoiesis

• A shortage of RBC stem cells can be caused by bone marrow failure or damage.
• Immunoglobulins are proteins known as antibodies.

Hemopoietic Growth Factors

• Hemopoietic growth factors stimulate the production of blood cells.

Thrombopoietin

• Thrombopoietin promotes the production of platelets.

Hemopoiesis Location

• Hemopoiesis occurs in the bone marrow.

Reticulocytes

• Reticulocytes are immature erythrocytes that mature in the bone marrow.

Hemoglobin

• Hemoglobin is made up of 4 proteins and 4 irons.

Pulse Oximetry

• A pulse oximeter measures the oxygen saturation of the blood.

High Elevations

• High elevations can cause a higher hematocrit due to the body's adaptation to lower oxygen levels.

Leukocytes

• Leukocytes' main function is to defend the body against infection and disease.
• Neutrophils and eosinophils, like mast cells, intensify inflammation.

B Cells

• B cells' primary function is to produce antibodies to fight infections.

Leukopenia

• Leukopenia is a condition characterized by too few leukocytes in the body.

Hemostasis

• Platelets play a crucial role in hemostasis by forming a platelet plug to stop bleeding.

Blood Clotting

• The intrinsic pathway of coagulation is caused by internal damage to the wall of a blood vessel.
• Hematologists define thrombosis as the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel.
• Vitamin K is an important factor for clotting.

Phagocytosis

• Neutrophils and macrophages are the primary cells responsible for cleaning up the body.

Thrombocytosis

• Thrombocytosis can increase the risk of blood clots.

Immune Cells

• B cells and T cells are involved in specific immunity.

Thromboplastin

• Thromboplastin helps to activate the clotting cascade in the coagulation process.

Test your knowledge about leukocytes, the white blood cells that protect the body. Learn about their characteristics, functions, and types, as well as how they travel in the body and respond to stimuli.