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Which three major classes of white blood cells are seen under a light microscope?
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white blood cell
Blood is made up of multiple components, including red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and water-rich plasma.
Based on their appearance under a light microscope, white blood cells are grouped into three major classes:12
- Lymphocytes: These cells are responsible for the specific recognition of foreign agents and the removal of pathogens from the host.12
- Granulocytes: The most numerous of the white blood cells, these are characterized by cytoplasmic granules and a multilobed nucleus. They are further subdivided into neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils based on their staining properties.314
- Monocytes: These cells act as scavengers that move to sites of infection to differentiate into macrophages, which destroy pathogens and clear cellular debris.12