Description of Blood Cells

A blood cell may be any of several different types of cells found in the blood. Each blood-cell type performs a specific set of functions. The blood cells only comprise 45 percent of the total volume of blood with plasma comprising the remaining 55 percent.

Erythrocytes

Erythrocytes are also known as red-blood cells and are the most common type of blood cell in the body, with about five million cells in each cubic millimeter (mm^3) of blood. Their primary function is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the various other cells in the body.

Leukocytes

Leucocytes are also called white-blood cells and are typically found in a concentration of 6,000/mm^3. Their main function is to attack foreign cells that they find in the body. The white-blood cell count can rise dramatically when the body is fighting an infection.

Granulocytes

Granulocytes have granules in their cytoplasm and are a type of leukocyte. They specialize in engulfing and digesting foreign particles.

Agranulocytes

Agranulocytes actually have some granules in their cytoplasm, despite the name. This group of leukocytes plays multiple important roles in the body's immune system.

Thrombocytes

Thrombocytes, also known as platelets, typically have a density in the blood of 250,000/mm^3. Their main function is to clot the blood by releasing clotting factors such as serotonin and fibrin.

References

• Blood Cells