Leukocyte

Leukocytes, also called white blod cells, are a population of cells in the blood responsible for immune response, inflammation, and microbe defence. These are always present in the blood, with their numbers increasing in response to infection or inflammation.

There are multiple subgroups of leukocytes, including granulocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes. We distinguish three types of granulocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. Granulocytes received their name due to the appearance of granules in their cytoplasm.

Neutrophils

Neutrophil granulocytes, often called just neutrophils, are the most abundant leukocyte in the blood, accounting for approx 60% of them. They have a segmented nucleus.

Levels of neutrophils in the blood usually increases in response to bacterial infections.

Their biological function is phagocytosis and chemotaxis.