It <\/span>remembers every single microbe it has ever fought<\/span><\/a>, so if the bad guys enter your body again, your immune system recognizes them and quickly destroys them before they cause you harm.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some of the most important cells that make up your immune system are called monocytes. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n They\u2019re like your body\u2019s soldiers that are crucial for protecting you from bacteria and viruses.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But how do monocytes do it? Why are they so important? Let\u2019s find out!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Uncover the battle raging within. Read the BIOWARS comic book for free!<\/a><\/p>\n Monocytes are a type of white blood cells that are crucial for your body\u2019s immune response.\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As a white blood cell, they\u2019re the MVPs of your immune system.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n White blood cells include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n White blood cells are the elite warriors of your immune system. \u200b<\/p><\/div>\n All white blood cells are part of your lymphatic system \u2014 think of them as a team of superheroes that work together to keep you healthy.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Monocytes, in particular, are important for your well-being.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n They are a part of your <\/span>innate immune system<\/span><\/b>, which means that they\u2019re in your body\u2019s first line of defense against invaders. Monocytes recognize and eliminate pathogens and all damaged cells. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Monocytes are also <\/span>the largest type of white blood cell<\/span><\/b>. They average <\/span>15 \u2013 18\u03bcm<\/span><\/a> in diameter (like specks of dust!) and are approximately two times bigger than red blood cells.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Under a microscope, monocytes appear as large, <\/span>round or kidney-shaped cells<\/span><\/b> with a distinct nucleus.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n They belong to a group of cells called <\/span>agranulocytes<\/span><\/b> \u2014 this means that they don\u2019t contain granules in their cytoplasm.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Remember what cytoplasm is?\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s like the jelly inside a donut. Except that in this case, the jelly is reallllly gooey and it gives the shape to a cell instead of to a donut. Cytoplasm is found inside all living cells, including the cells in your body!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Unlike granulocytes, which have distinct granules visible in their cytoplasm, monocytes have a relatively uniform appearance with a <\/span>smooth<\/span><\/b> cytoplasm<\/span><\/b>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The specialized granules that are found in granulocytes are important for functions such as fighting infections and producing inflammation. But, this doesn\u2019t mean that monocytes are powerless.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In fact, these cells are in charge of performing a variety of important immune system functions, including phagocytosis, antigen presentation and cytokine production! More on these soon!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Like all white blood cells, monocytes are also produced in the <\/span>bone marrow<\/span><\/b> \u2014 the spongy mass inside your bones.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n They develop from <\/span>hematopoietic stem cells<\/span><\/b> \u2014 these guys can create all types of blood cells.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When hematopoietic stem cells divide, they can produce <\/span>two types of immune system cells<\/span><\/b>:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Once monocytes fully develop in the bone marrow, they get into your bloodstream and travel throughout the body.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As soon as a tissue is damaged or infected, monocytes are urgently recruited to that tissue.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Once they get inside the tissue, monocytes differentiate into two types of immune system cells:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Once monocytes differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells, they start participating in your body\u2019s protection against pathogens.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A post shared by Biotechnology (@biotechnologyguy)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\nWhat Are Monocytes?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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The Development Of Monocytes<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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