lymphocyte: see blood blood, fluid pumped by the heart that circulates throughout the body via the arteries, veins, and capillaries (see circulatory system; heart). An adult male of average size normally has about 6 quarts (5.6 liters) of blood.
..... Click the link for more information. ; immunity immunity, ability of an organism to resist disease by identifying and destroying foreign substances or organisms. Although all animals have some immune capabilities, little is known about nonmammalian immunity.
..... Click the link for more information. .
Type of leukocyte fundamental to the immune system, regulating and participating in acquired immunity. Each has receptor molecules on its surface that bind to a specific antigen. The two primary types, B cells and T cells, originate from stem cells in bone marrow and travel to lymphoid tissues. When a B cell binds to an antigen, it multiplies to form a clone of identical cells. Some of these, acted on by helper T cells, differentiate into plasma cells that produce antibodies against the antigen. Others (memory cells) multiply, providing long-term immunity to the antigen.
lymphocyte
lymphocyte [′lim·fə‚sīt]
..... Click the link for more information. ; immunity immunity, ability of an organism to resist disease by identifying and destroying foreign substances or organisms. Although all animals have some immune capabilities, little is known about nonmammalian immunity.
..... Click the link for more information. .
lymphocyte
)
Human lymphocyte (phase-contrast microphotograph).
(credit: Manfred Kage—Peter Arnold)
lymphocyte
a type of white blood cell formed in lymphoid tissue
lymphocyte [′lim·fə‚sīt]
(histology)
An agranular leukocyte formed primarily in lymphoid tissue; occurs as the principal cell type of lymph and composes 20-30% of the blood leukocytes.
Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
| ?Page tools | ||
|---|---|---|
|