Cell Specialisation: White Blood Cells (WBC)

Introduction to Cell Specialisation

Cell specialisation, also known as cell differentiation, is the process in which a cell changes from one type to another.
Specialisation takes place in multicellular organisms, allowing cells to perform specific tasks.

Understanding White Blood Cells

White blood cells (WBCs) are specialised cells that form part of the human immune system.
WBCs are different from other cells in the body due to their roles in fighting infections and diseases.
Unlike red blood cells, WBCs are nucleated and play a key role in defending the body against harmful bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.

Types of White Blood Cells

There are several types of white blood cells, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.
Each type of white blood cell carries out a particular function and some even have the ability to change shape allowing them to engulf invading microorganisms.

Functions and Characteristics of White Blood Cells

Neutrophils make up the majority of WBCs and act as the first line of defence. They are quickly dispatched during an infection and capable of engulfing and destroying harmful pathogens.
Lymphocytes are involved in immune response. These specialised cells ‘remember’ pathogens and help the body to respond rapidly if the same pathogen invades again.
Monocytes are the largest type of WBC and they transform into macrophages to consume pathogens or dead cells in immune response.
Eosinophils and Basophils participate in allergic responses and parasitic infections.

Remember that understanding the cell specialisation of white blood cells will help you to grasp deeper concepts related to the body’s immune response, the different types of white blood cells and their specific roles. This is also beneficial for understanding the overall function and structure of the human body’s defence system.