BIO Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Monocyte, White Blood Cell, Neutrophil
2 Nov 2022
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Document Summary
The monocyte is the largest mature leucocyte in the peripheral blood measuring some 12 20 m in diameter. The nucleus of a monocyte is large, single and eccentric in position, i. e. present on one side of the cell. It may be notched or indented, i. e. horseshoe or kidney shaped. The cytoplasm is abundant, pale blue and usually clear (no granules); sometimes, it may contain fine, purple, dust-like granules called azure granules, which may be few or numerous. Monocytes along with the neutrophils play an important role in the body"s defence mechanism. Their main function is phagocytosis: role in tumour immunity. Monocytes may also kill tumour cells after sensitization by the lymphocytes: synthesis of biological substances. Monocytes synthesize complement and other biologically important substances. A rise in the blood monocytes above 800/mm3 is termed monocytosis. Certain bacterial infections such as tuberculosis, syphilis and subacute bacterial endocarditis. Infectious mononucleosis or the so-called glandular fever. Protozoal and rickettsial infections, e. g. malaria and kala-azar.
