Basophils: they possess large spheroid granules, which are basophilic and metachromatic.
Basophils degranulate in certain immune reaction, releasing heparin and histamine into their surroundings. They also release additional vasoactive amines and slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS—A) consisting of leu—kotrienes LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4. They represent less than 1 % – of leukocytes.
Agranulocytes are named according to their lack of specific granules. Lymphocytes are generally small cells measuring 7—10 mm in diameter and constitute 25–33 % of leukocytes. They con tain circular dark—stained nuclei and scanty clear blue cyto plasm. Circulating lymphocytes enter the blood from the lymphatic tissues. Two principal types of immunocompetent lymphocytes can be identified T lymphocytes and В lymphocytes.
T cells differentiate in the thymus and then circulate in the peripheral blood, where they are the principal effec tors of cell—mediated immunity. They also function as helper and suppressor cells, by modulating the immune response through their effect on В cells, plasma cells, mac—rophages, and other T Cells.
В cells differentiate in bone marrow. Once activated by contact with an antigen, they differentiate into plasma cells, which synthesize antibodies that are secreted into the blood, intercellular fluid, and lymph. В lymphocytes also give rise to memory cells, which differentiate into plas ma cells only after the second exposure to the antigen. Monocytes vary in diameter from 15–18 mm and are the largest of the peripheral blood cells. They constitute 3–7 % of leukocytes.
Monocytes possess an eccentric nucleus. The cytoplasm has a ground—glass appearance and fine azurophilic granules.
Monocytes are the precursors for members of the mo—nonuclear phagocyte system, including tissue macropha—ges (histiocytes), osteoclasts, alveolar macrophages, and Kupffer cells of the liver.
New words
mesodermal – мезодермальный
erythrocytes – эритроциты
leukocytes – лейкоциты
fibrous proteins – волокнистые белки
immune – иммунный
humoral – гуморальный
to contain – содержать
nuclei – ядра
Plasma is the extracellular component of blood. It is an aqueous solution containing proteins, inorganic salts, and organic com pounds. Albumin is the major plasma protein that maintains the osmotic pressure of blood. Other plasma proteins include the globulins (alpha, beta, gamma) and fibrino—gen, which is necessary for the formation of fibrin in the final step of blood coagulation. Plasma is in equilibrium with tissue interstitial fluid through capil lary walls; therefore, the composition of plasma may be used to judge the mean composition of the extracellular fluids. Large blood proteins remain in the intravascular compartment and do not equilibrate with the interstitial fluid. Serum is a clear yellow fluid that is separated from the coagulum during the process of blood clot formation. It has the same com position as plasma, but lacks the clotting factors (especially fib rinogen).