How Do You Spell LEUKOCYTES?

Pronunciation: [lˈuːkəsˌa͡ɪts] (IPA)

Leukocytes, or white blood cells, are an important component of the immune system. But why is it spelled with a "k" instead of a "c"? This is due to the Greek origin of the word, where the "k" sound is represented by the letter kappa (κ). In IPA phonetic transcription, the word leukocytes is spelled /luːkəsaɪts/. The first syllable is pronounced like "loo", followed by "kuh" and ending with "sights". Remembering the Greek origin of the word can help with proper spelling and pronunciation.

LEUKOCYTES Meaning and Definition

1. Leukocytes, also known as white blood cells, are a vital component of the immune system found in the bloodstream and other body tissues. Derived from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow, leukocytes are responsible for defending the body against infections, diseases, and foreign substances. These cells play a crucial role in immune responses, including inflammation, phagocytosis, and immune surveillance.

   There are five main types of leukocytes: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Each type possesses specific functions and characteristics. Neutrophils are the most abundant and act as the first line of defense, actively migrating towards sites of infection to engulf and destroy invading pathogens. Lymphocytes are primarily involved in adaptive immunity, producing antibodies and directly targeting abnormal cells. Monocytes, upon entering tissues, differentiate into macrophages, becoming efficient phagocytes. Eosinophils are important for defending against parasites and modulating allergic reactions. Basophils contain granules that release histamine and other substances involved in allergic responses.

   The levels of leukocytes in the bloodstream are often measured using a complete blood count (CBC) and can indicate potential infections, inflammation, or diseases. Abnormal leukocyte counts, such as leukopenia (low count) or leukocytosis (high count), can be indicative of certain medical conditions, necessitating further investigation.

   Overall, leukocytes are indispensable in maintaining the body's immune system, protecting against infections and diseases, and promoting overall health and well-being.

Top Common Misspellings for LEUKOCYTES *

• luekocytes 20%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for LEUKOCYTES

• keukocytes
• peukocytes
• oeukocytes
• lwukocytes
• lsukocytes
• ldukocytes
• lrukocytes
• l4ukocytes
• l3ukocytes
• leykocytes
• lehkocytes
• lejkocytes
• leikocytes
• le8kocytes
• le7kocytes
• leujocytes
• leumocytes
• leukocytres
• Leukocytaxes
• leukomyelities
• Leukosites
• Leukocytin

Etymology of LEUKOCYTES

The word "leukocytes" comes from the combination of two Greek roots: "leukos" meaning "white" and "kytos" meaning "cell". Thus, "leukocytes" literally means "white cells". This word was coined to describe a type of white blood cells that play a crucial role in the body's immune response.