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WBC Full Form

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Last updated date: 29th Mar 2024
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Composition and Meaning of WBC



The full meaning of WBC is white blood cell and is also known as leukocyte or white blood corpuscle. These types of blood cells are produced in the bone marrow and are regularly found in the blood and lymph tissues.


These blood cells are part of your immune system and help your body fight infections. Granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes are all part of WBC’s.  A complete blood cell test or CBT counts the number of WBC in the body. A low quote of WBC might lead to diseases.


Types of WBC in the Body

The different compositions of WBC are discussed below:

1. Neutrophils

Neutrophils make up almost 50% of WBC count. They are the first line of defense to your immune system that responds to bacteria or viruses. These are also the primary cells that are present in pus. They live around 8 hours after being released from the bone marrow but produce around 100 billion every day.


2. Eosinophils

These are the 2nd most important element and play a significant role in fighting bacteria. Eosinophils are an important defender for bacteria and allergy viruses but sometimes it goes overboard with its role. This part mounts an immune response even against something like pollen. 

3. Basophils

They account for only 1% of white blood cells (WBC full form). These cells form an immune response against pathogens and play an important part in asthma. Basophils release a chemical called histamine that results in inflammation and bronchoconstriction in the airways.


4. Lymphocytes

The T cells of lymphocytes are responsible for killing foreign invaders. B lymphocytes are responsible for humoral immunity and stand in sharp contrast to other types of WBC’s. These cells release antibodies that remember an infection and protect your body when it recurs. B lymphocytes form the major part of the defense system but T lymphocytes also act as an important determinant.


5. Monocytes

Monocytes makeup around 5-12% of white blood cells and act as a cleaner of dead cells. They migrate in the blood tissues and act as garbage trucks.


What is a White Blood Cell Count Test?

A white blood cell count measures the number of WBC in your body. Sometimes your blood count calls fall or rise and it’s important to maintain a healthy range. A normal WBC count is shown below:

  1. Newborns – 9000-30000

  2. Children under 2 years – 6200-17000

  3. Children over 2 and adults – 5000-10000


Elevated WBC Results Due to:

  • Infections

  • Cancers

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome

  • The trauma of any kind like fractures

  • Pregnancy

  • Asthma and allergies

  • Normal rise due to exercise


You Can also Experience Low WBC Count Due to:

  • Severe rashes, allergies, and infections

  • Bone marrow damage, bone marrow disease or metastatic cancer

  • Autoimmune disease like lupus

  • Spleen accumulation of white blood cells


WBC is an important component of your blood and it’s important to maintain a healthy range. So, it is important to develop a sound immune system, maintain health, and go for regular checkups.


WBC is an abbreviation for white blood cell, which is also known as a leukocyte or a white blood corpuscle. These blood cells are formed in the bone marrow and are detected in the blood and lymph tissues on a regular basis.


These blood cells are part of your immune system and aid in the battle against illnesses. WBCs include granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes. A full blood cell count (CBT) determines the quantity of WBC in the body. A low WBC count may result in illness.


WBC Count Test

The quantity of white blood cells (WBC) in your body is measured by a white blood cell count. Your blood count may dip or rise at times, and it is critical to keep it within a healthy range. The following is an example of a normal WBC count: 

9000-30000 for new-borns 

Children under the age of two – 6200-17000 

Adults and children over the age of two – 5000-10000 

 

WBC Levels have Risen as a Result of: 

  • Infections 

  • Cancers 

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) 

  • Any type of trauma, such as fractures 

  • Pregnancy 

  • Allergies and asthma 

  • Exercise-induced normal rise 


You May Also have a Low WBC Count as a Result of:  

  1. Rashes, allergies, and infections that are severe 

  1. Damage to the bone marrow, bone marrow disease, or metastatic malignancy 

  1. Lupus is an autoimmune disease. 

  1. White blood cell accumulation in the spleen 


Significance of WBC in Blood

The working of the human body is very complex and specialised. Each and every organ of the body is essential for the functioning of the body of all animals. These organs derive energy from the body itself for performing the specific function they are assigned. Animals get energy from the food they eat which is in the form of glucose. When this glucose reacts with oxygen available from the respiration process of the body. During this reaction, energy is released due to the breakdown of glucose molecules.


Carbon dioxide and water are also produced in this process. For making available this energy to any the reaction must take place inside it. So it is the general requirement to reach the glucose molecules obtained from the digestion process and oxygen to every cell of the body. This is facilitated by the special tissues known as the blood. It remains in the liquid or fluid state and flows through the veins and nerves of the body. It consists of blood cells, platelets in a liquid medium called serum.


Along with the transformation of glucose and oxygen to the cells of all the organs. Red blood cells (RBC) are the carriers of oxygen that are also known as haemoglobin. Oxygen gets attached to these cells in the alveoli sacs present in the lungs. And the glucose is absorbed by the blood from the small intestines that digest the food. Another function of the blood cells is the protection of the organs from various pathogens and microorganisms that enter the body with the potential of damaging the cells. To fight these pathogens there are some special cells present in the body which are known as white blood cells (WBC).

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FAQs on WBC Full Form

1. What do You Mean by White Blood Cells?

WBC is an abbreviation for white blood cell, which is also known as a leukocyte or a white blood corpuscle. These blood cells are formed in the bone marrow and are detected in the blood and lymph tissues on a regular basis. These blood cells are part of your immune system and aid in the battle against illnesses.

2. What are neutrophil cells?

 Neutrophils account for about half of the WBC count. They are your immune system's first line of protection against bacteria and viruses. These are also the main cells found in pus. They live for about 8 hours after being discharged from the bone marrow, although they create 100 billion each day.

3. What are lymphocytes

Lymphocytes are white blood cells that are a type of immunological cell in the body. They are found in the bloodstream as well as the lymph nodes. They are formed in the bone marrow and can be found in the blood and lymphatic tissue as a result. The immune system is a complex network of immune cells, including lymphocytes, that work together to protect the body from infection.

4. What results in a low WBC count?

A low white blood cell count is less than 4,000 cells per microliter of blood. A low white blood cell count is often inherited (a hereditary issue), and it may or may not be a cause for concern. A low white blood cell count is linked to a number of illnesses, including: 

Cancer (caused by chemotherapy treatments) 

Disorders or injury to the bone marrow 

Lupus is an example of an autoimmune disorder (an issue with the immune system in which the body attacks itself).  etc.

5. What are monocytes?

The formation of a big white blood cell with finely granular chromatin distributed throughout the nucleus that leaves the bone marrow, enters the bloodstream, and migrates into the connective tissue, where it develops into a macrophage.

6. What is dialysis?

As we learnt that blood is the organ that transfers glucose and oxygen from the small intestine and lungs to the cells, it also carries the used substance like carbon dioxide and various chemicals that are produced after the hydrolysis of the glucose molecules. Carbon dioxide returns to the lungs to be exhaled out and the toxic byproducts reach the kidneys to get purified. In some people, if the kidney gets affected then it is not able to purify the blood efficiently. In such cases, an external system is provided to purify the blood which is known as dialysis.

7. Which is the best source to learn about all the organs of the body and their functions?

Different organs of the body are categorised on the basis of their functions. The different functions of the body include the digestive system, respiratory system, reproductive system, excretory system, nervous system, neuron system, lymphatic system, immune system and some others. These concepts are introduced to the students in the high schools under the subject of Science or Biology. If a student wants to learn about these topics earlier they can refer to the articles provided by the Vedantu Online courses on its website. Students must register themselves on the portal to get access to all these resources free of cost.