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Monocyte
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The monocyte is a type of white blood cell, that is, one of the defense cells in the blood. It is made in the bone marrow and is part of innate immunity, the defense that acts right away, without needing to have met the microbe before.
Under the microscope it is easy to recognize. It is the largest of the white blood cells, measuring 12 to 20 micrometers, and its nucleus, the part where the genetic material is stored, is folded over on itself into two lobes and is described as kidney shaped. That folded-over nucleus gives it away on the smear, which is the blood sample spread out on a slide.
Its job has two sides. On one hand it patrols the body looking for microbes; on the other, when an infection or inflammation shows up, it organizes the response. The monocyte also transforms: it differentiates into macrophages, cells that swallow up leftover debris and invaders, and into dendritic cells, which present the enemy to the rest of the immune system.
In brief
A monocyte is a white blood cell that arises in the bone marrow and is part of the innate immune response.
It is the largest leukocyte, measures 12 to 20 micrometers, and is recognized in blood by its bilobed, folded nucleus, described as kidney shaped.
Its nucleus folded over on itself gives it away on the smear.
It differentiates into macrophages and dendritic cells, patrols the body for microbes, and organizes the response during infection and inflammation.
Sources (1)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingHistology, Monocytes, StatPearlsPublished
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