BRAINCAKELeucocytes
Leucocytes (white blood cells) defend the body against infection by pathogens and help to remove damaged cells and debris.
Compared with erythrocytes, leucocytes:
• always have a nucleus, often large or lobed, which makes them easy to identify on a stained blood smear
• are usually larger
• are much less numerous: about 4000 to 11 000 per mm3, roughly one for every 500 to 1000 red cells
• do not contain haemoglobin, so they appear colourless before staining
• contain many mitochondria and lysosomes
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Key terms in this lesson
- phagocytosis
- The bulk uptake of solid material into a cell by engulfing it within a vesicle formed from the cell surface membrane.
More in Circulatory Systems
- Cardiovascular System
- Components of Blood
- Plasma
- Erythrocytes
- Granulocytes
- Agranulocytes
- Platelets
- Haemoglobin and Oxygen Transport
All 33 lessons in Circulatory Systems · All Edexcel AS-level Biology topics