Page 217 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations

Neutrophils

Cytoplasm appears neutral under light microscope
Under electron microscope, cytoplasmic primary granules are lysosomes
Nucleus contains several lobes connected by thin chromatin strands
Barr body or drumstick seen next to nuclear lobe indicates female blood

Short life span in blood or connective tissue, ranging from hours to days
Very active phagocytes that are attracted to foreign material by chemotactic
factors
Destroy phagocytosed (ingested) material with lysosomal enzymes

Constitute about 60% to 70% of blood leukocytes

Eosinophils

Cytoplasm filled with large pink or eosinophilic granules that contain major

basic proteins
Nucleus typically bilobed
Short life span, in blood or connective tissue

Increase in numbers to defend organism against and destroy parasitic
infestations
Phagocytic with affinity for antigen–antibody complexes
Release a chemical histaminase that neutralizes histamine and other
mediators of inflammatory reactions

Constitute about 2% to 4% of blood leukocytes

Basophils

Cytoplasm contains dark blue or brown granules and has a short life span

Nucleus stains palely basophilic but is normally obscured by dense
cytoplasmic granules
Surface receptors bind to immunoglobulin E

Activation by allergen release histamine from cytoplasmic granules
Histamine causes intense inflammatory response in severe allergic reactions
Constitute less than 1% of blood leukocytes

Agranulocytes

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