Question

Abnormal fall in the total count of WBCs in human blood is called
A. Anemia
B. Polycythemia
C. Leukopenia
D. Leukemia

Answer 1

Hint:-
White Blood Cell or WBC(s) are blood corpuscles derived from the stem cells of bone marrow. They form an integral part of the immune system of our body. Usually, 4000 to 11000 WBC(s) are present per microliter of blood. If the count of WBS(s) falls below this, it can result in pathological conditions.

Complete step-by-step solution:-
White Blood Cells or WBC(s) are formed in the bone marrow from Hematopoietic stems. WBC(s) are also known as leukocytes and are found in the lymphatic system and blood. The normal count of WBC(s) in the blood range from about 4000 to 11000 per microliter of blood. This count indicates the health of an individual. Abnormal count of leucocytes can cause an individual to be low immunity and it also causes several pathological conditions.
Leukopenia is a condition characterized by reduced count of WBC in blood. It can happen due to various reasons, some of which are listed below:
- Acute viral infections
- Leucopenia has been associated with different types of cancer, malaria, dengue, tuberculosis.
- Certain medicines like clozapine can cause the WBC(s) to reduce drastically in blood.
- Leukopenia is a very common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
- A condition called Aplastic anemia where the body is unable to produce any blood cells also causes Leukopenia.
- Clinical symptoms of leukopenia are – sore throat, breathing trouble, fever, chills and body ache.
Anemia is a condition characterized by a reduced number of Red Blood Cells or RBC in the body. Since the RBC(s) function to carry oxygen, this disease is associated with reduced oxygen levels in the body. Anemia can be caused due to various reasons like Iron and Vitamin B12 deficiency, excessive loss of blood or decreased production of blood corpuscles (a condition known as Aplastic anemia). Thus, Anemia is not associated with WBC(s).
Polycythemia is a condition where the number of RBC(s) increases in the blood. This condition can arise due to increased production of RBC(s) or decreased volume of plasma (the fluid component of blood). Clinical symptoms are often, vertigo and enlargement of spleen or liver. Thus, Polycythemia is also not associated with WBC(s), but with RBC.
Leukemia is a type of blood cancer characterized by an increased number of anomalous blood cells in the body. The cause of Leukemia is still not known. However, individuals with a family history of leukemia are prone to the disease. Common methods of treatment include, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplant.
Therefore, to conclude the above discussion, Leukopenia is a condition characterized by decreased number of WBC(s) in the blood.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Note:-
WBC(s) play an important role in the immunity of our body. These cells are produced in the bone marrow and have nuclei. The number of WBC(s) in our body is indicative of the health of an individual. Leukopenia is a condition that arises when the count of WBC(s) decreases in the blood. It can be corrected by stopping the medications or procedures like radiation or chemotherapy that causes leukopenia or intake of low bacterial foods.