What is the main function of leukocytes. Protective mechanisms of the body - functions of leukocytes

Which are characterized by the absence of color, the presence of a nucleus and the ability to move. The name is translated from Greek as "white cells". The group of leukocytes is heterogeneous. It includes several varieties that differ in origin, development, appearance, structure, size, shape of the nucleus, functions. Leukocytes are produced in lymph nodes and bone marrow. Their main task is to protect the body from external and internal "enemies". There are leukocytes in the blood and various bodies and tissues: in the tonsils, in the intestines, in the spleen, in the liver, in the lungs, under the skin and mucous membranes. They can migrate to all parts of the body.

White cells are divided into two groups:

Granular leukocytes are granulocytes. They contain large nuclei irregular shape, consisting of segments, the more of which, the older the granulocyte. This group includes neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils, which are distinguished by their perception of dyes. Granulocytes are polymorphonuclear leukocytes. .
Non-granular - agranulocytes. These include lymphocytes and monocytes containing one simple nucleus. oval shape and not having the characteristic granularity.

Where are they formed and how long do they live?

The main part of white cells, namely granulocytes, is produced by red bone marrow from stem cells. A progenitor cell is formed from the maternal (stem) cell, then it passes into a leukopoietin-sensitive cell, which, under the action of specific hormone develops according to the leukocyte (white) series: myeloblasts - promyelocytes - myelocytes - metamyelocytes (young forms) - stab - segmented. The immature forms are in the bone marrow, the mature ones enter the bloodstream. Granulocytes live for about 10 days.

Lymph nodes produce lymphocytes and a significant proportion of monocytes. Some of the agranulocytes lymphatic system enters the blood, which carries them to the organs. Lymphocytes live for a long time - from several days to several months and years. The life span of monocytes is from several hours to 2-4 days.

Structure

The structure of leukocytes of different types is different, and they look different. Common to all is the presence of a nucleus and the absence of its own color. The cytoplasm may be granular or homogeneous.

Neutrophils

Neutrophils are polymorphonuclear leukocytes. They have round shape, their diameter is about 12 µm. There are two types of granules in the cytoplasm: primary (azurophilic) and secondary (specific). Specific small, lighter and make up about 85% of all granules, contain bactericidal substances, lactofferin protein. Ausorophilic ones are larger, they contain about 15%, they contain enzymes, myeloperoxidase. In a special dye, the granules are stained lilac, and the cytoplasm is pink. The granularity is small, consists of glycogen, lipids, amino acids, RNA, enzymes, due to which the breakdown and synthesis of substances occurs. In young forms, the nucleus is bean-shaped, in stab nuclei it is in the form of a stick or horseshoe. In mature cells - segmented - it has constrictions and looks divided into segments, which can be from 3 to 5. The nucleus, which can have processes (appendages), contains a lot of chromatin.

Eosinophils

These granulocytes reach a diameter of 12 microns, have a monomorphic coarse granularity. The cytoplasm contains oval and spherical shape. The graininess is stained with acid dyes in pink color, the cytoplasm becomes blue. There are two types of granules: primary (azurophilic) and secondary, or specific, filling almost the entire cytoplasm. The center of the granules contains a crystalloid, which contains the main protein, enzymes, peroxidase, histaminase, phospholipase, zinc, collagenase, cathepsin. The nucleus of eosinophils consists of two segments.

Basophils

This type of leukocytes with polymorphic granularity has sizes from 8 to 10 microns. Granules different sizes stained with the main dye in a dark blue-violet color, the cytoplasm - in pink. Granularity contains glycogen, RNA, histamine, heparin, enzymes. The cytoplasm contains organelles: ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, glycogen, mitochondria, Golgi apparatus. The nucleus most often consists of two segments.

Lymphocytes

By size, they can be divided into three types: large (from 15 to 18 microns), medium (about 13 microns), small (6-9 microns). Most of the latter are in the blood. The lymphocytes are oval or round in shape. The nucleus is large, occupies almost the entire cell and stains in Blue colour. A small amount of cytoplasm contains RNA, glycogen, enzymes, nucleic acids, adenosine triphosphate.

Monocytes

These are the largest white cells in size, which can reach a diameter of 20 microns or more. The cytoplasm contains vacuoles, lysosomes, polyribosomes, ribosomes, mitochondria, and the Golgi apparatus. The nucleus of monocytes is large, irregular, bean-shaped or oval, may have bulges and dents, stained reddish-violet. The cytoplasm acquires a gray-blue or gray-blue color under the influence of the dye. It contains enzymes, saccharides, RNA.

Leukocytes in the blood healthy men and women are contained in the following ratio:

segmented neutrophils - from 47 to 72%;
stab neutrophils - from 1 to 6%;
eosinophils - from 1 to 4%;
basophils - about 0.5%;
lymphocytes - from 19 to 37%;
monocytes - from 3 to 11%.

The absolute level of leukocytes in the blood of men and women normally has the following values:

stab neutrophils - 0.04-0.3X10⁹ per liter;
segmented neutrophils - 2-5.5X10⁹ per liter;
young neutrophils - absent;
basophils - 0.065X10⁹ per liter;
eosinophils - 0.02-0.3X10⁹ per liter;
lymphocytes - 1.2-3X10⁹ per liter;
monocytes - 0.09-0.6X10⁹ per liter.

Functions

The general functions of leukocytes are as follows:

Protective - consists in the formation of specific and nonspecific immunity. The main mechanism is phagocytosis pathogen and taking his life).
Transport - lies in the ability of white cells to adsorb amino acids, enzymes and other substances in the plasma and transport them to the right places.
Hemostatic - involved in blood clotting.
Sanitary - the ability, with the help of the enzymes contained in leukocytes, to dissolve tissues that died during injuries.
Synthetic - the ability of some proteins to synthesize bioactive substances (heparin, histamine and others).

Each type of leukocyte has its own functions, including specific ones.

Neutrophils

The main role is to protect the body from infectious agents. These cells take the bacteria into their cytoplasm and digest it. In addition, they can produce antimicrobial substances. When an infection enters the body, they rush to the place of introduction, accumulate there in large numbers, absorb microorganisms and die themselves, turning into pus.

Eosinophils

When infected with worms, these cells penetrate the intestines, are destroyed and secrete toxic substances that kill helminths. In allergies, eosinophils remove excess histamine.

Basophils

These leukocytes are involved in the formation of all allergic reactions. They are called first aid for bites of poisonous insects and snakes.

Lymphocytes

They constantly patrol the body in order to detect foreign microorganisms and out of control cells of their own body, which can mutate, then rapidly divide and form tumors. Among them are informants - macrophages, which constantly move around the body, collect suspicious objects and deliver them to lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are divided into three types:

T lymphocytes are responsible for cellular immunity, come into contact with harmful agents and destroy them;
B-lymphocytes detect foreign microorganisms and produce antibodies against them;
NK cells. These are real killers that support normal cellular composition. Their function is to recognize defective and cancer cells and destroy them.

How to count

To count leukocytes, an optical device is used - the Goryaev camera

The level of white cells (WBC) is determined during the clinical analysis blood. The counting of leukocytes is carried out by automatic counters or in the Goryaev chamber - an optical device named after its developer - a professor at Kazan University. This device is different high precision. Consists of thick glass with a recess rectangular shape(actual camera), where a microscopic grid is applied, and a thin cover glass.

The calculation goes like this:

Acetic acid (3-5%) is tinted methylene blue and pour into a test tube. Blood is drawn into a capillary pipette and carefully added to the prepared reagent, after which it is mixed properly.
The coverslip and chamber are wiped dry with gauze. The coverslip is rubbed against the chamber so that colored rings appear, the chamber is filled with blood and waited for a minute until cell movement stops. The number of leukocytes is counted in one hundred large squares. Calculated by the formula X = (a x 250 x 20): 100, where “a” is the number of leukocytes in 100 squares of the chamber, “x” is the number of leukocytes in one μl of blood. The result obtained by the formula is multiplied by 50.

Conclusion

Leukocytes are a heterogeneous group of blood elements that protect the body from external and internal diseases. Each type of white cell performs a specific function, so it is important that their content is normal. Any deviations may indicate the development of diseases. A blood test for leukocytes allows you to early stages suspect a pathology, even if there are no symptoms. It contributes timely diagnosis and gives you a better chance of recovery.

Human blood is made up of liquid substance(plasma) only by 55-60%, and the rest of its volume falls to the share of formed elements. Perhaps the most surprising of their representatives are leukocytes.

They are distinguished not only by the presence of a nucleus, especially large sizes and an unusual structure - the function assigned to this shaped element. About it, as well as about other features of leukocytes, and will be discussed in this article.

What does a leukocyte look like and what shape does it have

Leukocytes are spherical cells up to 20 microns in diameter. Their number in humans is from 4 to 8 thousand per 1 mm3 of blood.

It will not be possible to give an answer to the question of what color the cell is - leukocytes are transparent and most sources are defined as colorless, although the granules of some nuclei can have a rather extensive color palette.

The diversity of types of leukocytes made it impossible to unify their structure.

Segmented.
Non-segmented.

Cytoplasm:

grainy;
Homogeneous.

In addition, the organelles that make up the cells differ.

The structural feature that unites these seemingly dissimilar elements is the ability to actively move.

Young cells are producedfrom multipotent stem cells in the bone marrow. At the same time, in order to generate a workable leukocyte 7-9 divisions can be involved, and the place of the divided stem cell is occupied by a clone cell of the neighboring one. This keeps the population constant.

Origin

The process of formation of leukocytes can be completed:

Lifespan

Each type of leukocytes has its own life expectancy.

How long do cells live healthy person:

from 2 hours to 4 days -
from 8 days to 2 weeks - granulocytes;
from 3 days to 6 months (sometimes up to several years) - lymphocytes.

The shortest lifespan characteristic of monocytes is due not only to their active phagocytosis, but also to the ability to give rise to other cells.

From a monocyte can develop:

The death of leukocytes can occur for two reasons:

Natural "aging" of cells, that is, the completion of their life cycle.
Cellular activity associated with phagocytic processes- fighting foreign bodies.

The fight against leukocytes foreign body

In the first case, the function of destroying leukocytes is assigned to the liver and spleen, and sometimes to the lungs. Cell breakdown products are excreted naturally.

The second reason is related to the course of inflammatory processes.

Leukocytes die directly "on the battlefield" and if their removal from there is impossible or difficult, the decay products of the cells form pus.

Video - Classification and significance of human leukocytes

A common function in the implementation of which all types of leukocytes participate - protection of the body from foreign bodies.

The task of cells is reduced to their detection and destruction in accordance with the principle "antibody-antigen".

Destruction unwanted organisms occurs by their absorption, while the receiving phagocyte cell increases significantly in size, perceives significant destructive loads and often dies.

The place of death of a large number of leukocytes is characterized by swelling and redness, sometimes - suppuration, fever.

To more accurately indicate the role of a particular cell in the struggle for the health of the body, an analysis of its variety will help.

So, granulocytes perform the following actions:

Neutrophils- capture and digest microorganisms, stimulate the development and division of cells.
Eosinophils- neutralize foreign proteins and their own dying tissues that are in the body.
Basophils- promote blood clotting, regulate the permeability of blood vessels by blood cells.

The list of functions assigned to agranulocytes is more extensive:

T-lymphocytes- provide cellular immunity, destroy foreign cells and pathological cells of body tissues, counteract viruses and fungi, affect the process of blood formation and control the activity of B-lymphocytes.
B-lymphocytes- support humoral immunity fighting bacterial and viral infections by generating antibody proteins.
Monocytes- perform the function of the most active phagocytes, which became possible due to a large number cytoplasm and lysosomes (organelles responsible for intracellular digestion).

Only in case of coordinated and well-coordinated work of all types of leukocytes, it is possible to maintain the health of the body.

IN modern diagnostics calculation of the number of leukocytes is considered one of the most important laboratory research. After all, the rapid increase in the concentration of white blood cells indicates how strong the immune system and the ability of the body to protect itself from damage. It could be just a cut on your finger. living conditions, infection, fungus and virus. How leukocyte cells help to cope with foreign agents, we will talk in the article.

Leukocytes are white blood cells medical point vision - heterogeneous groups of cells, different in appearance and functional purpose. They form a reliable line of defense of the body against adverse external influence, bacteria, germs, infections, fungi and other foreign agents. They are distinguished by signs of the presence of the nucleus and the absence of their own color.

The structure of white cells

The structure and functions of cells differ, but all of them have the ability to emigrate through the capillary walls and move through the bloodstream to absorb and destroy foreign particles. With inflammation and diseases of an infectious or fungal nature, leukocytes increase in size, absorbing pathological cells. And over time, they self-destruct. But as a result, they release harmful microorganisms that caused the inflammatory process. In this case, swelling, an increase in body temperature and redness of the site of inflammation are observed.

Terms! Chemotaxis of leukocytes is their migration to the focus of inflammation from the bloodstream.

The particles that trigger the inflammatory response are attracted to right amount white blood cells to fight foreign bodies. And in the process of struggle, they are destroyed. Pus is a collection of dead white blood cells.

Where are leukocytes formed?

In the process of providing protective function leukocytes produce protective antibodies that will manifest themselves during inflammation. But most of them will die. Place of formation of white cells: bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes and tonsils.

Terms! Leukopoiesis is the process of producing leukocyte cells. Most often it occurs in the bone marrow.

How long do leukocyte cells live?

The life span of leukocytes is 12 days.

Leukocytes in the blood and their norm

To determine the level of leukocytes, it is necessary to conduct a general blood test. Units of measurement of the concentration of leukocyte cells - 10 * 9 / l. If the analyzes show a volume of 4-10 * 9 / l, you should rejoice. For an adult healthy person, this is a normative value. For children, the level of leukocytes is different and is 5.5-10 * 9 / l. General analysis blood will determine the ratio different kind fractions of leukocytes.

Deviations from the normative WBC limit may be laboratory error. Therefore, leukocytosis or leukocytopenia is not diagnosed by a single blood test. In this case, a referral is given for another analysis to confirm the result. And only then the question of the course of treatment of pathology is considered.

It is important to take your health responsibly and ask your doctor what tests show. Approaching the critical limit of the level of leukocytes is an indicator that you need to change your lifestyle and diet. Without active action when people don't draw the right conclusions, disease comes.

Table of norms of leukocytes in the blood

How is the white blood cell count measured?

Leukocyte cells are measured during a blood test using a special optical device - a Goryaev camera. The calculation is considered automatic, and provides high level accuracy (with minimal error).

Goryaev's camera determines the number of leukocytes in the blood

optical device Represents glass of special thickness in the form of a rectangle. It has a microscopic grid on it.

Leukocytes are counted as follows:

Acetic acid, tinted with methylene blue, is poured into a glass test tube. This is a reagent into which you need to drop a little blood with a pipette for analysis. After that everything mixes well.
Wipe glass and camera with gauze. Next, the glass is rubbed against the chamber until rings of various colors begin to form. The chamber is completely filled with plasma. You need to wait 60 seconds until the cell movement stops. The calculation is carried out according to a special formula.

Functions of leukocytes

First of all, we should mention the protective function. It involves the formation immune system in specific and non-specific embodiment. The mechanism of operation of such defense involves phagocytosis.

Terms! Phagocytosis is the process of capturing hostile agents by blood cells or their successful destruction.

The transport function of leukocytes in an adult ensures the adsorption of amino acids, enzymes and other substances, their delivery to the destination (to the right body along the bloodstream).
Hemostatic function in human blood has special meaning with coagulation.
The definition of sanitary function is the breakdown of tissues and cells that have died in the process of injury, infection and damage.

Leukocytes and their functions

Synthetic function will provide the right amount of leukocytes in peripheral blood for biological synthesis active components: heparin or histamine.

If we consider the properties of leukocytes and their functional purpose in more detail, it is worth mentioning that they have specific characteristics and opportunities due to its variety.

The composition of leukocytes

To understand what leukocytes are, you need to consider their varieties.

Neutrophil cells

Neutrophils are a common type of white blood cell, accounting for 50-70 percent of the total. The leukocytes of this group are produced and moved in the bone marrow and belong to phagocytes. Molecules with segmented nuclei are called mature (segmentonuclear), and with an elongated nucleus - stab (immature). The production of the third type of young cells occurs in the smallest volume. Whereas mature leukocytes are the most. By determining the ratio of the volume of mature and immature leukocytes, you can find out how intense the bleeding process is. This means that significant blood loss does not allow the cells to mature. And the concentration of young forms will exceed relatives.

Lymphocytes

Lymphocyte cells have a specific ability not only to distinguish relatives from a foreign agent, but also “remember” every microbe, fungus and infection that they have ever encountered. It is the lymphocytes that are the first to seek the focus of inflammation to eliminate "uninvited guests". They build a defensive line, launching a whole chain of immune reactions to localize inflammatory tissues.

Important! Lymphocyte cells in the blood are the central link of the body's immune system, which instantly moves to the inflammatory focus.

Eosinophils

Eosinophilic blood cells inferior in number to neutrophils. But functionally they are similar. Their main task is to move in the direction of the lesion. They easily pass through vessels and can absorb small foreign agents.

Monocytes

Monocytic cells, by their functional affiliation, are capable of absorbing larger particles. It's the afflicted inflammatory process tissues, microorganisms and dead leukocytes that have self-destructed in the process of fighting foreign agents. Monocytes do not die, but are engaged in the preparation and cleaning of tissues for regeneration and final recovery after the defeat of an infectious, fungal or viral nature.

Monocytes

Basophils

This is the smallest group of leukocyte cells in terms of mass, which, in relation to its relatives, is one percent of total number. These are the cells that, like the first health care appear where you need to instantly respond to intoxication or damage by harmful toxic substances or vapors. A prime example such a lesion is considered a bite poisonous snake or a spider.

Due to the fact that monocytes are rich in serotonin, histamine, prostaglandin and other mediators of the inflammatory and allergic process, the cells carry out the blocking of poisons and their further distribution in the body.

What does an increase in the concentration of leukocyte particles in the blood mean?

An increase in the number of leukocytes is called leukocytosis. Physiological form This condition is observed even in a healthy person. And this is not a sign of pathology. This occurs after being under direct conditions for a long time. sunbeams due to stress and negative emotions, heavy exercise. In females, high white blood cells are observed during pregnancy and the menstrual cycle.

When the concentration of leukocyte cells exceeds the norm several times, you need to sound the alarm. This dangerous signal indicating the flow pathological process. After all, the body is trying to protect itself from a foreign agent, producing more defenders - leukocytes.

After making a diagnosis, the attending physician should solve another problem - to find the root cause of the condition. After all, it is not leukocytosis that is treated, but what caused it. As soon as the cause of the pathology is eliminated, after a couple of days the level of leukocyte cells in the blood will recover to normal on its own.

Human blood consists of a liquid substance (plasma) only 55-60%, and the rest of its volume falls to the share of formed elements. Perhaps the most surprising of their representatives are leukocytes.

They are distinguished not only by the presence of a nucleus, especially large sizes and an unusual structure - the function assigned to this shaped element is unique. About it, as well as about other features of leukocytes, and will be discussed in this article.

What does a leukocyte look like and what shape does it have

Leukocytes are spherical cells up to 20 microns in diameter. Their number in humans is from 4 to 8 thousand per 1 mm3 of blood.

It will not be possible to give an answer to the question of what color the cell is - leukocytes are transparent and most sources are defined as colorless, although the granules of some nuclei can have a rather extensive color palette.

The diversity of types of leukocytes made it impossible to unify their structure.

Segmented.
Non-segmented.

Cytoplasm:

grainy;
Homogeneous.

In addition, the organelles that make up the cells differ.

The structural feature that unites these seemingly dissimilar elements is the ability to actively move.

Origin

The process of formation of leukocytes can be completed:

Lifespan

Each type of leukocytes has its own life expectancy.

Here's how long the cells of a healthy person live:

from 2 hours to 4 days -
from 8 days to 2 weeks - granulocytes;
from 3 days to 6 months (sometimes up to several years) - lymphocytes.

The shortest lifespan characteristic of monocytes is due not only to their active phagocytosis, but also to the ability to give rise to other cells.

From a monocyte can develop:

The death of leukocytes can occur for two reasons:

Natural "aging" of cells, that is, the completion of their life cycle.
Cellular activity associated with phagocytic processes- fighting foreign bodies.

The fight of leukocytes with a foreign body

In the first case, the function of destroying leukocytes is assigned to the liver and spleen, and sometimes to the lungs. Cell breakdown products are excreted naturally.

The second reason is related to the course of inflammatory processes.

Leukocytes die directly "on the battlefield" and if their removal from there is impossible or difficult, the decay products of the cells form pus.

Video - Classification and significance of human leukocytes

A common function in the implementation of which all types of leukocytes participate - protection of the body from foreign bodies.

The task of cells is reduced to their detection and destruction in accordance with the principle "antibody-antigen".

Destruction of unwanted organisms occurs by their absorption, while the host cell-phagocyte significantly increases in size, perceives significant destructive loads and often dies.

The place of death of a large number of leukocytes is characterized by swelling and redness, sometimes - suppuration, fever.

To more accurately indicate the role of a particular cell in the struggle for the health of the body, an analysis of its variety will help.

So, granulocytes perform the following actions:

Neutrophils- capture and digest microorganisms, stimulate the development and division of cells.
Eosinophils- neutralize foreign proteins and their own dying tissues that are in the body.
Basophils- promote blood clotting, regulate the permeability of blood vessels by blood cells.

The list of functions assigned to agranulocytes is more extensive:

T-lymphocytes- provide cellular immunity, destroy foreign cells and pathological cells of body tissues, counteract viruses and fungi, affect the process of blood formation and control the activity of B-lymphocytes.
B-lymphocytes- support humoral immunity, fight bacterial and viral infections by generating antibody proteins.
Monocytes- perform the function of the most active phagocytes, which became possible due to the large amount of cytoplasm and lysosomes (organelles responsible for intracellular digestion).

Only in the case of coordinated and well-coordinated work of all types of leukocytes is it possible to maintain the health of the body.

Leukocytes(white blood cells) are blood cells containing a nucleus. In some leukocytes, the cytoplasm contains granules, so they are called granulocytes . Others have no granularity, they are referred to as agranulocytes. There are three forms of granulocytes. Those of them, the granules of which are stained with acid dyes (eosin), are called eosinophils . Leukocytes, the granularity of which is susceptible to basic dyes - basophils . Leukocytes, the granules of which are stained with both acidic and basic dyes, are referred to as neutrophils. Agranulocytes are subdivided into monocytes and lymphocytes. All granulocytes and monocytes are produced in the red bone marrow and are called myeloid cells . Lymphocytes are also formed from stem cells bone marrow, but multiply in the lymph nodes, tonsils, appendix, thmus, lymphatic plaques of the intestine. These are lymphoid cells.

Neutrophils are situated in vascular bed 6-8 hours, and then pass into the mucous membranes. They make up the vast majority of granulocytes. The main function of neutrophils is to destroy bacteria and various toxins. They have the ability to chemotaxis and phagocytosis. Vasoactive substances secreted by neutrophils allow them to penetrate the capillary wall and migrate to the focus of inflammation. The movement of leukocytes to it occurs due to the fact that T-lymphocytes and macrophages located in the inflamed tissue produce chemoattractants. These are substances that stimulate their advancement to the focus. These include derivatives of arachidonic acid - leukotrienes and endotoxins. Absorbed bacteria enter phagocytic vacuoles, where they are exposed to oxygen ions, hydrogen peroxide, and lysosomal enzymes. An important property neutrophils is that they can exist in inflamed and edematous tissues poor in oxygen. Pus mainly consists of neutrophils and their remnants. The enzymes released during the breakdown of neutrophils soften the surrounding tissues. Due to what a purulent focus is formed - an abscess.

Basophils contained in an amount of 0-1%. They are in the bloodstream for 12 hours. Large granules of basophils contain heparin and histamine. Due to the heparin secreted by them, lipolysis of fats in the blood is accelerated. On the membrane of basophils there are E-receptors, to which E-globulins are attached. In turn, allergens can bind to these globulins. As a result, basophils secrete histamine. An allergic reaction occurs hay fever(runny nose, itchy rash on the skin, its redness, bronchospasm). In addition, basophil histamine stimulates phagocytosis and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Basophils contain a factor that activates platelets, which stimulates their aggregation and release of platelet clotting factors. Allocate heparin And histamine, they prevent the formation of blood clots in the small veins of the lungs and liver.

Lymphocytes make up 20-40% of all leukocytes. They are divided into T- and B-lymphocytes. The former are differentiated in the thymus, the latter in various lymph nodes. T cells are divided into several groups. T-killers destroy foreign antigen cells and bacteria. T-helpers are involved in the antigen-antibody reaction. Immunological memory T cells remember the structure of the antigen and recognize it. T-amplifiers stimulate immune reactions, and T-suppressors inhibit the formation of immunoglobulins. B-lymphocytes make up a smaller part. They produce immunoglobulins and can turn into memory cells.

Percentage various forms leukocytes is called leukocyte formula. Normally, their ratio is constantly changing in diseases. Therefore, the study of the leukocyte formula is necessary for diagnosis.

Normal leukocyte formula.

Granulocytes:

Basophils 0-1%.

Eosinophils 1-5%.

Neutrophils.

Stab 1-5%.

Segmented 47-72%.

Agranulocytes.

Monocytes 2-10%.

Lymphocytes 20-40%.

The main infectious diseases are accompanied by neutrophilic leukocytosis, a decrease in the number of lymphocytes and eosinophils. If then monocytosis occurs, this indicates the victory of the organism over the infection. In chronic infections, lymphocytosis occurs.

Counting the total number of leukocytes produced in Goryaev's cell. Blood is drawn into the melangeur for leukocytes, and it is diluted 10 times with a 5% solution acetic acid tinted with methylene blue or gentian violet. Shake the melangeur for a few minutes. During this time, acetic acid destroys erythrocytes and the membrane of leukocytes, and their nuclei are stained with a dye. The resulting mixture is filled with a counting chamber and leukocytes are counted under a microscope in 25 large squares. The total number of leukocytes is calculated by the formula:

X = 4000 . A. in / b.

Where a is the number of leukocytes counted in squares;

b – the number of small squares in which the calculation was made (400);

c – blood dilution (10);

4000 is the reciprocal of the volume of liquid above the small square.

To study the leukocyte formula, a blood smear on a glass slide is dried and stained with a mixture of acidic and basic dyes. For example, according to Romanovsky-Giemsa. Then, under high magnification, the number of different forms is counted at least out of 100 counted.