White Blood Cells (Leukocytes)
White blood cells, or leukocytes (also spelled "leucocytes", leuco- Ancient Greek "white"), are cells of the immune system involved in defending the body against both infectious disease and foreign materials. Five different and diverse types of leukocytes exist, but they are all produced and derived from a multipotent cell in the bone marrow known as a hematopoietic stem cell. They live for about 3 to 4 days in the average human body. Leukocytes are found throughout the body, including the blood and lymphatic system.
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Famous quotes containing the words white, blood and/or cells:
“O, white pear,
your flower-tufts
thick on the branch
bring summer and ripe fruits
in their purple hearts.”
—Hilda Doolittle (1886–1961)
“there is more blood than
sweet juice
always more blood—mister
death goes indoors
exhausted”
—Denise Levertov (b. 1923)
“Madness is locked beneath. It goes into tissues, is swallowed by the cells. The cells go mad. Cancer is their flag. Cancer is the growth of madness denied.”
—Norman Mailer (b. 1923)