About White Blood Cells
The white blood cells (WBCs) are 'mobile' units of your blood. According to Dr. Laura Dean of the National Center for Biotechnology Information, "WBCs circulate in the blood until they receive a signal that a part of the body is damaged." The amount of WBCs present in your body is measured via complete blood count and differential count. An abnormal range of WBCs usually indicates health risks such as infections. Furthermore, your blood is composed of five major types of WBCs that differ in function and structure.
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Definition
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WBCs also known as leukocytes are translucent, granular and amoeboid components of your blood.
Normal Range
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The normal range of WBC count is between 4,500 to 10,000 cells per micro-liter (mcL). More than 10,000 mcL indicates infection such as respiratory tract infection. Less than 4,000 mcL indicates vulnerability to infectious diseases.
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Types of White Blood Cells
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The WBCs are classified according to structure, grain-like components and function. Granular WBCs with grain-like appearance include neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils. On the contrary, agranular WBCs or blood cells without grain-like components include lymphocytes and monocytes.
The most abundant among the types of WBCs are neutrophils (40 percent to 60 percent) and lymphocytes (20 percent to 40 percent).
Function
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The WBCs' functions are to destroy bacteria, enhance immune response against foreign organisms and remove damaged cells at the site of infection.
Movement
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The WBCs are capable of amoeboid-like movement by rolling out of your blood capillary walls towards the infected sites in a process called diapedesis. This movement speeds up during infections and allergic reactions. Moreover, the WBCs defend your body by engulfing the bacteria, virus and infected cell in a process called phagocytosis.
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