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What Is the Difference Between Lymphocyte and Leukocyte

 
Nidhi Nangia
By Nidhi Nangia. Updated: January 20, 2017
What Is the Difference Between Lymphocyte and Leukocyte

In short, both lymphocytes and leukocytes are components of the human blood. Basically, blood is a kind of connecting tissue made of plasma which is a fluid matrix. It also contains various types of cells and elements that keep circulating through the body within plasma. Protection, regulation and transportation are some of the basic functions of blood. Read this OneHowto.com article to understand what is the difference between lymphocyte and leukocyte.

You may also be interested in: What Is The Normal Range Of Lymphocyte Count

What are lymphocytes?

Lymphoid stem cells produce lymphocytes, and their main function is to carry out adaptive immune responses among humans. The surface of lymphocytes contains receptor proteins that are able to recognize particular antigens against them. Lymphocytes are of two types: T cells and B cells.

T cells take care of the cell-mediated immunity, while B cells are responsible for antigens response and humoral immunity by producing antibodies. On the other hand, T cells do not secrete any antibodies. Immune response is usually regulated by destroying some antigens and attacking them directly. Lymphocyte cytoplasm does not contain big granules, due to which they can be quickly identified with their big size nucleus covered in a little cytoplasm. You can take a look at what a normal range of lympocyte count is for more information.

What are leukocytes?

Leukocytes can also be termed as WBC or white blood cells, and form 1% of the human blood cells. They are bigger in size than erythrocytes and their nuclei are present inside the body of the cells. These cells are present in blood plasma, and also the interstitial tissue fluid. They may migrate out from the blood capillaries, making their way out of the spaces between the cells. Depending on the properties of staining in the leukocyte plasma granules, they can be divided into granular or non-granular leukocytes.

Granular ones include basophils, eosinophils and neutrophils that contain granules in the cytoplasm. On the other hand, lymphocytes and monocytes are non-granular leukocytes which do not have granules in the cytoplasm. All the leukocytes work together to defend the body against foreign substances like invading microorganisms.

Points of difference

Below is the list of main differences between lymphocytes and leukocytes:

  • Leukocyte is a white blood cell, while a lymphocyte is a type of leukocyte.
  • All leukocyte cells except lymphocytes are produced from myeloid stem cell which is a stem cell line. Lymphocytes cells are produced from lymphoid progenitor cells, which is another stem cell line.
  • The major function of lymphocytes is to take care of adaptive immunity, while all other leukocytes take care of innate immune system in the human bodies.
  • Unlike leukocytes, the lymphocytes may be further categorized into B cells and T cells, which are responsible for cell-mediated and humoral immune response.

Sources of lymphocytes and leukocytes

Lymphocytes require amino acids to function properly, major sources of which include fish, poultry meat, lean beef, dairy products, pork tenderloin etc. As high fat content can decrease the effectiveness of lymphocytes, you should try to eat low fat products like lean beef, fish, poultry without skin, and low fat dairy products like yogurt, cheese and milk.

Catechins increase the response time of lymphocytes, which is abundantly present in green tea. As far as leukocytes are concerned, vitamin C which is adequately available in orange, grapefruit, broccoli, tomato, potato and peppers improves synthesis of leukocytes. Vitamin A is also helpful in creating leukocytes, major sources of which are carrots, spinach, cheese, eggs and milk.

What Is the Difference Between Lymphocyte and Leukocyte - Sources of lymphocytes and leukocytes

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

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