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Mammalian white blood cells (leucocytes) come in a variety of forms, yet all develop from pluipotent stem cells in bone marrow. The amoeboid white bloods cells are refered to collectively as phagocytes. When cells are damaged, the chemicals released attract phagocytes. The fluid shape of phagocytes allows them to squeeze out of the blood capillaries, and into the tissue beyond. They deal with infections, such as bacteria, by engulfing them, and releasing digestive enzymes onto them, much as an amoeba does. The bacteria often kills the phagocyte in the process.
There are three main sorts of phagocyte:
Neutrophils
Neutrophils are the most common sort of leucocyte. They spend a few days circulating in the blood, before moving out of the capillaries, into he surrounding tissue, in order to engulf bacteria and the like. They live for only a few days.
Monocytes and Macrophages
Monocytes have a very similar early life to neutrophils, but survive for longer. Older monocytes turn into macrophages, the largest type of leucocyte.
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