White blood cells are also known as leukocytes and are unsung heroes of our immune system. They play a vital role in disease prevention. These microscopic cells circulate throughout our body and neutralise harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
There are various types of white blood cells, each with specialised functions ranging from engulfing invaders to producing antibodies. Their relentless vigilance and defensive capabilities are essential in safeguarding our health and keeping diseases at bay. Let us learn a bit more about the functions of white blood cells.
White blood cells lack colour but may exhibit a pale purple to pink hue when stained with dye and observed under a microscope. These minute cells have a spherical shape, with a clearly defined nucleus at their centre.
The bone marrow, the soft tissue within the bones serves as the site for white blood cell production. White blood cells make up only 1% of your blood. There are 5 types of white blood cells – neutrophils, lymphocytes, basophils, eosinophils, and monocytes, however, they are less in number than red blood cells.2 Along with the white blood cells, C-reactive protein tests are a frequent and convenient biomarker for systemic inflammation used in clinical diagnosis.
White blood cells play an important role in defending your body against infections. As they circulate through your bloodstream and tissues, they act as vigilant commanders, identifying the site of an infection and alerting other white blood cells. This coordinated response helps protect your body from unknown invaders.
When the white blood cell army reaches the infection site, they combat the intruders by generating antibody proteins. These antibodies attach to the organisms and neutralise them, ensuring your body’s defence against the threat.
Five types of white blood cells exist, each with a unique role in safeguarding your body. The functions of white blood cells are as follows:
Type of White Blood Cells | Function | Cells per cu. mm of blood |
Neutrophils | They combat infections by eliminating fungi, bacteria, and foreign particles. | 2,500-6,600 |
Lymphocytes | They protect against viruses and generate antibodies to fight infections. | 1,000-4,000 |
Basophils | These cells trigger allergic responses, leading to symptoms like sneezing, coughing, or a runny nose. | 0-100 |
Eosinophils | They identify and destroy parasites and cancer cells and assist basophils in their allergic responses. | 50-300 |
Monocytes | These white blood cells defend against infection by removing damaged cells. | 200-800 |
Table 1: Functions of white blood cells and their optimum range.
Your body typically generates approximately 100 billion white blood cells daily. When you fall ill, your body produces additional white blood cells to combat the bacteria, viruses, or other foreign substances responsible for the illness. As a result, your white blood cell count rises in response to the infection. Two types of white blood cell tests are:
The white blood cell normal range is between 4,000 and 11,000 cells per microliter. Let us take a look at abnormal values:
White blood cells are frontline defenders in disease prevention. They identify and neutralise pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. These cells produce antibodies to target specific threats and coordinate immune responses and maintain overall health in the body. They also facilitate immune memory for faster recognition of previous invaders, which helps protect the body from similar infections in the future.
The white blood cell count is generally done with a complete blood count (CBC) test. These tests are performed as a part of regular checkups. If your test results show an increased or decreased white blood cell count, you may be at risk of infection even if you show no symptoms yet. Early diagnosis can play a major role in better treatment outcomes.
Orange Health Labs offers a variety of tests, such as the lymphocyte test and CBC test at home, at your convenience. One such laboratory test you can book is the white blood cell count. Let’s take a look at the steps for booking a test:
Lab test in Bangalore | Lab test in Mumbai | Lab test in Hyderabad | Lab test in Noida | Lab test in Delhi | Lab test in Gurgaon | Lab test Faridabad
White blood cells are indispensable in disease prevention. As defenders, they identify and neutralise pathogens, produce antibodies, and coordinate immune responses. Their existence ensures a robust defence against infections, thus safeguarding overall health.
White blood cells are also known as leukocytes and are unsung heroes of our immune system. They play a vital role in disease prevention. These microscopic cells circulate throughout our body and neutralise harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
There are various types of white blood cells, each with specialised functions ranging from engulfing invaders to producing antibodies. Their relentless vigilance and defensive capabilities are essential in safeguarding our health and keeping diseases at bay. Let us learn a bit more about the functions of white blood cells.
White blood cells lack colour but may exhibit a pale purple to pink hue when stained with dye and observed under a microscope. These minute cells have a spherical shape, with a clearly defined nucleus at their centre.
The bone marrow, the soft tissue within the bones serves as the site for white blood cell production. White blood cells make up only 1% of your blood. There are 5 types of white blood cells – neutrophils, lymphocytes, basophils, eosinophils, and monocytes, however, they are less in number than red blood cells.2 Along with the white blood cells, C-reactive protein tests are a frequent and convenient biomarker for systemic inflammation used in clinical diagnosis.
White blood cells play an important role in defending your body against infections. As they circulate through your bloodstream and tissues, they act as vigilant commanders, identifying the site of an infection and alerting other white blood cells. This coordinated response helps protect your body from unknown invaders.
When the white blood cell army reaches the infection site, they combat the intruders by generating antibody proteins. These antibodies attach to the organisms and neutralise them, ensuring your body’s defence against the threat.
Five types of white blood cells exist, each with a unique role in safeguarding your body. The functions of white blood cells are as follows:
Type of White Blood Cells | Function | Cells per cu. mm of blood |
Neutrophils | They combat infections by eliminating fungi, bacteria, and foreign particles. | 2,500-6,600 |
Lymphocytes | They protect against viruses and generate antibodies to fight infections. | 1,000-4,000 |
Basophils | These cells trigger allergic responses, leading to symptoms like sneezing, coughing, or a runny nose. | 0-100 |
Eosinophils | They identify and destroy parasites and cancer cells and assist basophils in their allergic responses. | 50-300 |
Monocytes | These white blood cells defend against infection by removing damaged cells. | 200-800 |
Table 1: Functions of white blood cells and their optimum range.
Your body typically generates approximately 100 billion white blood cells daily. When you fall ill, your body produces additional white blood cells to combat the bacteria, viruses, or other foreign substances responsible for the illness. As a result, your white blood cell count rises in response to the infection. Two types of white blood cell tests are:
The white blood cell normal range is between 4,000 and 11,000 cells per microliter. Let us take a look at abnormal values:
White blood cells are frontline defenders in disease prevention. They identify and neutralise pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. These cells produce antibodies to target specific threats and coordinate immune responses and maintain overall health in the body. They also facilitate immune memory for faster recognition of previous invaders, which helps protect the body from similar infections in the future.
The white blood cell count is generally done with a complete blood count (CBC) test. These tests are performed as a part of regular checkups. If your test results show an increased or decreased white blood cell count, you may be at risk of infection even if you show no symptoms yet. Early diagnosis can play a major role in better treatment outcomes.
Orange Health Labs offers a variety of tests, such as the lymphocyte test and CBC test at home, at your convenience. One such laboratory test you can book is the white blood cell count. Let’s take a look at the steps for booking a test:
Lab test in Bangalore | Lab test in Mumbai | Lab test in Hyderabad | Lab test in Noida | Lab test in Delhi | Lab test in Gurgaon | Lab test Faridabad
White blood cells are indispensable in disease prevention. As defenders, they identify and neutralise pathogens, produce antibodies, and coordinate immune responses. Their existence ensures a robust defence against infections, thus safeguarding overall health.