PLASMACYTES Meaning and
Definition
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Plasmacytes are a type of specialized white blood cell, also known as plasma cells, that play a crucial role in the immune response of the body. They are derived from B lymphocytes, a type of immune cell that produces antibodies.
The main function of plasmacytes is to produce and secrete large quantities of specific antibodies in response to the presence of foreign substances called antigens. These antibodies are Y-shaped proteins that bind to the antigens, marking them for destruction by other immune cells. This process is an important defense mechanism employed by the immune system to combat infections and other diseases.
Morphologically, plasmacytes are characterized by their eccentrically located nucleus, which appears round or oval, and a cytoplasm that contains abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum responsible for antibody synthesis. In addition to secreting antibodies, plasmacytes also contribute to the immune response by producing various immune regulatory proteins and cytokines.
Plasmacytes are mainly found in the bone marrow, where they develop from activated B lymphocytes. However, they can also migrate to other tissues, especially in response to inflammation or infection, in order to contribute to the local immune response.
The presence of an increased number of plasmacytes in the bloodstream or tissues can be indicative of certain diseases, such as multiple myeloma, a type of cancer that affects plasma cells.
Common Misspellings for PLASMACYTES
- olasmacytes
- llasmacytes
- -lasmacytes
- 0lasmacytes
- pkasmacytes
- ppasmacytes
- poasmacytes
- plzsmacytes
- plssmacytes
- plwsmacytes
- plqsmacytes
- plaamacytes
- plazmacytes
- plaxmacytes
- pladmacytes
- plaemacytes
- plawmacytes
- plasnacytes
- plaskacytes
- plasjacytes
Etymology of PLASMACYTES
The word "plasmacytes" is derived from the combining form "plasma" and the suffix "-cyte".
The term "plasma" originates from the Greek word "plasma" meaning "something molded or formed". In ancient Greek, it was used to refer to a jelly-like substance that was believed to be the base of all living matter. In the context of biology, "plasma" generally refers to the fluid component of blood or lymph.
The suffix "-cyte" comes from the Greek word "-kytes", which means "container" or "cell". It is used to denote a specific type of cell in biology. Overall, the word "plasmacytes" refers to a type of cell, specifically plasma cells, which are a specialized type of white blood cells involved in producing antibodies.
