Erythrocytes are more commonly known as red blood cells. They contain
no nuclei or organelles and have a biconcave discoid shape to increase
its surface area for gas exchange. They are used in oxygen
transportation from lungs to tissues, and carbon
dioxide transportation from tissues to lungs. Erythrocytes contain
haemoglobin,
which is an oxygen-carrying pigment that gives blood its red colour.
Neutrophils are the most abundant blood leucocyte.
50% of neutrophils in blood are attatched to the walls of blood
vessels. They circulate in blood for about 10 hours before migrating
to tissues, where they have a lifespan of about 2 days. They are
the first cells to arrive at a point of inflammation, they are transported
to the site of tissue damage by chemotaxis.
The cell consumes the bacteria by phagocytosis
and then the bacteria is destroyed by oxygen-independent
and oxygen-dependent
degradation.
Basophils are the least abundant blood leucocyte
and play an important role in allergic responses and also play a role
in immunity against parasites. The granule contents include histamine
and heparin.
Eosinophils contain a distinct bi-lobed nucleus and are important
in the response to parasitic and allergic diseases. They release their
cell contents onto larger pathogens and can also undergo phagocytosis.
Their products are anti-inflammatory and can inactivate mast
cell products.
Monocytes circulate in the blood for approximately 8 hours before
migrating into the tissues, where they differentiate into macrophages.
They undergo phagocytosis
and remove antigens.
Platelets are disc-shaped, granule-containing cells that contain
no nucleus. They are required for normal haemostasis
by participating in blood clotting. They have a life span of up
to 10 days before being destroyed in the spleen or the pulmonary
vascular bed.
Lymphocytes circulate in both the blood and the lymph, they can
migrate into tissue spaces and lymphoid organs. They have the longest
lifespan of any of the leucocytes,
up to many years and are essential in immune response where they
release haemopietic substances.