Immunology

Lymphocytes
White Blood Cells

The blood contains:

● Red blood cells

● White blood cells
● Plasma
● Platelets

White Blood Cells also known as Leukocytes is

only 1% of the blood, however it plays a major
role in protecting the immune system.
White blood cells are formed in the bone marrow. They are
stored in the blood and lymph tissues.
Types of White Blood Cells

They are five white blood cells which are:

1. Monocytes- They have a longer lifespan than many white blood cells
and help to break down bacteria.
2. Lymphocytes - They create antibodies to fight against bacteria, viruses,
and other potentially harmful invaders.
3. Neutrophils - They kill and digest bacteria and fungi. They are the most
numerous type of white blood cell and your first line of defense when
infection strikes.
4. Basophils - These small cells seem to sound an alarm when infectious
agents invade your blood. They secrete chemicals such as histamine, a
marker of allergic disease, that help control the body's immune
response.
5. Eosinophils -They attack and kill parasites and cancer cells, and help
with allergic responses.
Definition of Lymphocytes

A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell which is a part

of the immune system. There are two main types of
lymphocytes: B cells and T cells.

The B cells produce antibodies that are used to attack

invading bacteria, viruses, and toxins.

The T cells destroy the body's own cells that have

themselves been taken over by viruses or become
cancerous.
Adaptation to their function

Adaptations:
They have 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.
 B Cells

● B-cells fight bacteria and viruses by making Y-shaped

proteins called antibodies, which are specific to each
pathogen and are able to lock onto the surface of an
invading cell and mark it for destruction by other
immune cells.
● B-lymphocytes and cancer have what may be
described as a love-hate relationship. For example, B-
cells sometimes inhibit tumor development by
producing antibodies that may attack cancer cells or
such as human papillomavirus (HPV), which is
responsible for most cervical, anal, penile and other
reproductive cancers.
● Other times, regulatory B-cells may release immune-
suppressive cytokines that stifle an anti-tumor
response.
T Cells

They are two main types of T Cells which are:

1. Helper T-cells (CD4 Cells)

2. Killer T-cells (CD8 Cells)

Helper T-cells stimulate B-cells to make antibodies and help killer cells
develop.

Killer T-cells directly kill cells that have already been infected by a
foreign invader.
T Cells
 Summary

Lymphocytes are cells that circulate in your blood that are part of the immune system. There are two main
types lymphocytes: T cells and B cells. B cells produce antibody molecules that can latch on and destroy
invading viruses or bacteria. T cells are direct fighters of foreign invaders and also produced cytokines, which
are biological substances that help activate other parts of the immune system. One such part is called
macrophages. These macrophages act to clean up the invaders and the dead tissue after an immune
response.