How Do White Blood Cells Reproduce?

Most cells in the human body reproduce themselves by undergoing mitosis or meiosis. Blood cells do not reproduce themselves, but are produced in bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen and the thymus gland.

Types

Blood is made up of several different kinds of cells. Erythrocytes, or red blood cells, carry oxygen and give blood its characteristic color. Thrombocytes, or platelets, aid in clotting. Leukocytes, or white blood cells, come in various types and serve different functions.

Function

White blood cells include basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils, according to WebMD. Each of these cells has a different role in protecting the body from disease and infection.

Production

Most white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow: the spongy center of the longer bones. The T and B lymphocytes are produced in the spleen and lymph nodes, and T lymphocytes are also produced by the thymus gland.

Warning

When too many white blood cells are produced, or when they do not mature sufficiently before being released into the circulating blood, a person develops a life-threatening condition called leukemia.

References

• The Merck Manual: Formation of Blood Cells
• Palomar College: Anthropology, Cell Reproduction
• WebMD: Complete Blood Count
• VCU Massey Cancer Center: What Is Leukemia?