White Blood Cells Whenever a germ or infection enters the body, the white blood cells snap to attention

and race toward the scene of the crime. The white blood cells are continually on the lookout for signs of disease. When a germ does appear, the white blood cells have a variety of ways by which they can attack. Some will produce protective antibodies that will overpower the germ. Others will surround and devour the bacteria. The white blood cells have a rather short life cycle, living from a few days to a few weeks. A drop of blood can contain anywhere from 7,000 to 25,000 white blood cells at a time. If an invading infection fights back and persists, that number will significantly increase. A consistently high number of white blood cells is a symptom of Leukaemia, a cancer of the blood. A Leukaemia patient may have as many as 50,000 white blood cells in a single drop of blood. Adaptations They have a flexible cell membrane which means they can squeeze through small gaps in the capillaries to travel to where they are needed in the body. Their cytoplasm contains enzymes. This means that once a micro-organism is ingested by the cell, it will be digested by these enzymes. The cell membrane has a sensitive surface to enable the cell to detect foreign bodies and destroy. They are adapted by having a large nucleus which contains many copies of genes for the control of the production of antibodies. Adaptations - Irregular shape, they can change shape to squeeze out of blood vessels and get to the site of infection. Others have cytoplasm which can flow making it possible for the cell to change shape, surround and engulf bacteria. Can increase in numbers to fight disease.

Basophils Basophils are responsible for allergic and antigen responses Less than 1% of total blood cell count Helps blood flow and prevents blood congealing Circulate bloodstream releasing two chemicals at tissue site called heparin and histamine Heparin prevents blood cells from clotting too quickly Histamine are released during allergic reactions to increase blood flow The two molecules work together to increase the availability of other immune system cells near inflammation and infection Monocytes 2 to 8% of white blood cells Start in bone marrow develop into big macrophages in the bloodstream

Macrophages are the largest white blood cells Macrophages are responsible for ingesting cell debris, waste and harmful bacteria Macrophages attack microbes by extending pseudopodia (feet like extensions) around the cells and then destroy the microbe by releasing enzymes from inside the macrophage. Act as vacuum cleaners in our system They ingest dead cells, tissue debris and old red blood cells--anything left behind after the body has battled the infection. Lymphocytes

Lymphocytes refer to a group of cells made up of B cells, T cells and natural killer (NK) 25 to 33% of total white blood cells. B and T cells are very important for the bodys immune system B cells are used for producing antibodies against foreign particles. They remember and specifically bind to foreign particles T cells serve many functions but are usually used in destroying cells identified by the antibodies NK cells arent as specific as T cells but they still destroy cells The three cells work together to rid the body of harmful particles The lymphocyte cell is the cell most responsible for providing your body with immunity. Eosinophil

Deals with parasitic infections It eosinophil cell count in your blood is high it usually means you have a parasitic infection The eosinophil cell fights the infection caused by the parasite Cell responsible for reacting to any substance that causes an allergic response Eosinophil develops in the bone marrow before migrating out into the bloodstream. Eosinophil combats foreign parasites and particles by releasing chemical mediators in a process called degranulation. During degranulation, small granules inside the eosinophil are released to destroy the foreign invaders. These harmful chemicals are reactive proteins such as peroxides, nucleases and lipases. Neutrophils

Defends against bacterial and fungal infections Once they discover infection, they move out of the blood cells and into the infected tissue to attack it. The pus you discover after treating a wound? That is a result of the neutrophils. They constantly circulate through the blood stream Non-specific immune cell 55 to 70% of white blood cells First line of defence against invading particles First at the site of infection or injury

Chemical signals released by damaged cells attract neutrophils, which stick to blood vessel walls and engulf any foreign particles before they enter the bloodstream. Short life span Self-destruct after engulfing harmful antigens

Nucleus The nucleus is the control centre of a cell. It contains the cell's hereditary information (DNA) and controls the cell's growth and reproduction. Cytoplasm The cytoplasm consists of all of the contents outside of the nucleus and enclosed within the cell membrane of a cell. This includes the cytosol and in eukaryotic cells, organelles such as mitochondria and ribosomes. Also located within the cytoplasm is the cytoskeleton, a network of fibres that help the cell maintain its shape and give it support. The cytoplasm is clear in colour and has a gel-like appearance. It is composed mainly of water and also contains enzymes, salts, organelles, and various organic molecules. The cytoplasm helps to move materials around the cell and also dissolves cellular waste Mitochondria Mitochondria are the cell's power producers. They convert energy into forms that are usable by the cell. Located in the cytoplasm, they are the sites of cellular respiration which ultimately generates fuel for the cell's activities. Mitochondria are also involved in other cell processes such as cell division and growth, as well as cell death. Ribosomes Ribosomes are organelles that consist of RNA an proteins. They are responsible for assembling the proteins of the cell. Depending on the protein production level of a particular cell, ribosomes may number in the millions. Cell wall The purpose of the cell membrane is to hold the cell together. It keeps all of the pieces, like the organelles and the CYTOPLASM, inside. The membrane also controls what goes in and out of the cell.

Vacuole

Vacuoles are water-filled storage spaces found in cells. They are found in both animal and plant cells (but they are more common in plant cells they are also bigger in plant cells). Vacuoles store food, collect waste products, and can help with cell shape and buoyancy.

What the cell looks like White blood cells typically look like a textured white ball. What's really fascinating, though, is that they can actually sprout tiny "legs" and crawl like a millipede! When an injury occurs, the cells have to reach the site fast, and work against blood flow, so these tiny "legs" allow them to do just that. When they do this, they look a little more spread out, rather than a ball shape, and appear to have tiny appendages