Neutrophil is a type of white blood cells. White blood cells are known for their great work of fighting germs in our body. They are produced in the bone marrow and circulate to the other parts of the body. Neutrophil comprise of about 50 to 70 per cent of the white blood cells. Along with basophils and eosinophil they consists a group of white blood cells referred to as granulocytes. It is the first immune cell that arrives at the site of infection through a process referred to as chemotaxis.So, What is a neutrophil?
You may be asking "what is a neutrophil" and its value. All the neutrophils are uniform in size with a diameter of 15 and 12 micrometers. They move in amoeboid motion which is aided by extended long projections which are referred to as pseudopodium. The nucleus part of the neutrophils consists of mainly five lobes which are firmly held together by hair like filaments.
Neutrophils are available in the blood stream waiting to be signaled in case of any infection in the body. Its main component is pus which is easily identified by its whitish color. On the site of infection, neutrophils release a net of fiber which is referred to as neutrophil extracellular trap which quickly traps and kills microbes in the outer part of the cell. When the microbes are indigested, they release proteins in tertiary granules that enhance the killing of the bacteria. The proteins release a substance referred to ad superoxide which is then converted to hypochlorous acid which kills all the bacteria in the inner part of the body.
During blood test the main factor that is considered is the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) in the body. This is mainly used during cancer treatment to show how the body is responding to cancer treatment. Thus, the level of neutrophil determines the level of immune system in your body. It will be able to tell whether you are at risk of acquiring some of the diseases. When the level is low, this is referred to as neutropenia. When the level of absolute neutrophil count (ANC) drops below 500 cells count per microliter you are advised to take antibiotics to prevent infections into your body.
The condition in which the level of neutrophils drops below the normal condition is referred to ad neutropenia. This situation is caused by various inherited disorders that in turn affect the immune system. It can also be as a result of exposure to certain harmful chemicals. This makes you prone to diseases because your immune system has been weakened.
To ensure that the body is secure from all forms of infections, the bone marrow produces 100 billion neutrophils. In the bone marrow, formation of neutrophil takes almost a week. When the neutrophil matures and its send in the blood stream, they only live for few hours after migration from the bone marrow to the blood stream. To ensure that there is no depletion of these white blood cells, the bone marrow holds a large number of them to prevent infection into the body. Presence of neutrophil makes you healthy preventing you from acquiring some of the chronic diseases.