• BLOOD CELL TYPES

    CellNumber/mm3Function
    Red blood cells5.0 X 106Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide
    White blood cells 7.25 X 103Involved in immune response to infections and allergic reactions
    Neutrophils3.9 X 103Phagocytosis
    Eosinophils0.21 x 103Secrete toxic proteins in allergic reactions(immediate hypersensitivity)
    Basophils/Mast cells0.036 X 103Secrete toxic proteins in allergic reactions(immediate hypersensitivity)
    Monocytes/Macrophages0.47 X 10Phagocytosis
    Platelets250 x 103Blood coagulation
    Lymphocytes (all)2.5 X 103Involved in immune response to infections and allergic reactions
    B-lymphocytes0.31 X 103Antibody production
    T-helper lymphocytes[CD4+]1.4 X 103Secrete cytokines that activate an immune response
    Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes[CD8+]0.56 X 103Kill cells infected with a microorganism/tumor cells
    Natural killer cells(lymphocytes)0.20 X 103Kill cells infected with a microorganism/tumor cells

    The relative number of each cell type will vary among individuals and is altered by an immune response in allergies/asthma and infections.