granulocyte
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A type of white blood cell: A granulocyte is a leukocyte (white blood cell) characterized by the presence of granules in its cytoplasm. These granules contain enzymes and other substances that help the cell fight infection.
Usage
- Granulocytes are a crucial part of the innate immune system.
- The term is used in medical, biological, and hematological contexts to classify and discuss specific white blood cells.
- It is typically used as a countable noun (e.g., , ).
Examples
- Noun:
- A blood test revealed an elevated count of granulocytes, indicating a possible infection.
- Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils are all types of granulocytes.
- The pathologist examined the granulocyte under the microscope.
Advanced Usage
- Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF): A substance that stimulates the bone marrow to produce granulocytes.
- The patient was given G-CSF to boost granulocyte production after chemotherapy.
Variants and Related Words
- Granulocytic (adjective): Of or relating to granulocytes.
- The patient showed signs of a granulocytic response.
- Agranulocyte (noun): A white blood cell without granules in its cytoplasm (e.g., lymphocytes, monocytes). This is a contrasting term.
- Granulopoiesis (noun): The process of granulocyte formation in the bone marrow.
Synonyms
- Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN): A common synonym, often referring specifically to neutrophils, the most abundant type of granulocyte.
- Granular leukocyte: A descriptive synonym.
Different Meanings
- The word "granulocyte" has a single, specific meaning in biology and medicine. It does not have common idiomatic or figurative uses.
Notes
- The granules in a granulocyte's cytoplasm are visible when stained and viewed under a microscope, which is key to its identification.
- Granulocytes are primarily involved in combating bacterial and fungal infections and in inflammatory responses.
Noun
- a leukocyte that has granules in its cytoplasm