Figure 1-2. Leukocytes-granular.
(2) Types and their specific functions. The three types of
polymorphonuclear (called polys or granular) are neutrophils, esoinophils, and
basophils. The neutrophils increase in number when fighting pyrogenic infections (fever
producing). They decrease in number when reacting to toxic substances. This can
occur with certain drugs. The esoinophils will increase in reaction to allergy or parasitic
infections, and they will decrease in reaction to adrenocortical hormones. The
basophils will increase in the presence of leukemia (but their exact function is not
known). Lymphocytes and monocytes are nongranular leukocytes. The lymphocytes
are believed to be directly involved with the antibody production. They increase in
number in the presence of certain infections such as mononucleosis. Monocytes will
increase during tuberculosis and protozoal infections. All types of leukocytes will
increase during leukemia and will decrease because of acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome (AIDS). (See figure 1-3.)
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