Basic White Blood Cells 101

White blood cells, (leukocytes) are cells of the immune system involved in defending the body against both infectious disease and foreign materials.

Five different and diverse types of leukocytes exist, but they are all produced and derived from a multipotent cell in the bone marrow known as a hematopoietic stem cell which has many functions in creating new blood cells. The primary roles of adult stem cells in a living organism are to maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found.

White blood cells live for about 3 to 4 days in the average human body. Leukocytes are found throughout the body, including the blood and lymphatic system. When they are not working properly, overproducing themselves, for example, it can be a sign of certain blood diseases including Leukemia.

The five different types of white blood cells, that are measured in a blood test are:



Neutrophils
Eosinophils
Basophils
Monocytes
Lymphoctes

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Please note! The picture above is NOT a representation of white blood cells. It is photo art created by myself, Elizabeth Munroz