White blood cells (leukocytes) are a crucial component of the immune system responsible for protecting the body against infections and foreign invaders. They play a key role in both the inflammatory response and the body's defense mechanisms.
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There are five main types of white blood cells: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.
Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are often the first responders to microbial infection.
Lymphocytes include B cells and T cells, which are vital for adaptive immunity.
White blood cells can move out of the bloodstream to reach sites of infection or inflammation through a process called chemotaxis.
Anti-inflammatory drugs may affect white blood cell function by reducing their ability to release inflammatory mediators.
Review Questions
What are the five main types of white blood cells?
How do neutrophils contribute to the body's immune response?
Explain how anti-inflammatory drugs can impact white blood cell functions.
Related terms
Inflammatory Response: A biological reaction of body tissues to harmful stimuli such as pathogens or damaged cells.
Chemotaxis: The movement of an organism or cell in response to chemical stimuli.
Adaptive Immunity: A subsystem of the immune system that is composed of specialized systemic cells and processes that eliminate pathogens by preventing their growth.