Difference Between Monocytes And Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are responsible for inducing a certain type of immune response, whereas monocytes are responsible for phagocytosing infections. Check this article to know more about the difference between Monocytes and Lymphocytes.
Jasdeep Bhatia15 Mar, 2024
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Difference Between Monocytes And Lymphocytes : Our body requires immunity and strength to fight against infectious diseases and pathogens. The immunity is provided by large phagocytic cells called White Blood Cells. These cells can destroy foreign contaminants and hazardous disease-causing pathogens like bacteria and viruses. Depending upon their structure and function, leukocytes are divided into five types namely Monocytes, Lymphocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils, and Neutrophils. Monocytes and Lymphocytes are agranulocytes whereas Eosinophils, Basophils, and Neutrophils are granulocytes.
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Introduction
The human circulatory system is a network of arteries, veins, and capillaries, with the heart, continuously pumping blood through them. It is a system that plays a primary role in providing vital nutrients, hormones, and minerals to the various parts of the body. It is also responsible for the collection of metabolic wastes and toxic materials from the tissues and the various cells that need to be cleaned or need to be removed from the body. The blood is the primary component of the circulatory system which serves as a medium for the transportation of vital nutrients and essential minerals. The blood contains many cells such as RBCs, WBCs, and Platelets. In this article, we will be differentiating between monocytes and lymphocytes, which are the parts of WBCs.Related Links -
Difference Between Monocytes and Lymphocytes
| Monocytes | Lymphocytes |
| 1. The monocyte cells are large and cylindrical. The size of these cells does not vary. | 1. Lymphocyte cells do not have a definite shape and size i.e. the cells vary in size when fighting against any infection-causing disease or virus. |
| 2. 2% – 8% of the circulating WBCs are made up of monocyte cells | 2. The lymphocytes make approximately 20–30% of the circulating WBCs. |
| 3. The cytoplasm of a monocyte cell is mostly cloudy (opaque) and is of a grayish-blue color with thin lilac granules. | 3. The cytoplasm of a lymphocyte cell is clear (transparent) and sky blue with the absence of lilac granules. |
| 4. The monocyte cells have infrequent vacuoles present in the cytoplasm. | 4. The lymphocyte cells have frequent vacuoles present in the cytoplasm. |
| 5. An average circulating monocyte cell has a shorter lifespan in comparison to the lymphocyte cells which is approximately 24 hours. | 5. The lymphocytes have a much longer lifespan which can live up to 1 or 2 months or even years. |
| 6. The monocytes destroy the pathogens through the process of phagocytosis. | 6. The lymphocytes destroy the pathogens by producing many antibodies which can cause severe diseases. |
| 7. A monocyte cell’s nucleus is oval in shape, soft and spongy, and stained a light shade of bluish violet. | 7. A strong purplish-blue stain covers the lymphocyte's thick, oval-shaped nucleus, which is also stretched. |
| 8. The two types of monocyte cells are dendritic cells and macrophages. | 8. The two types of lymphocyte cells are B lymphocyte cells (B cells) and T lymphocyte cells (T cells). |
| 9. The monocyte cells are very essential for the development of the immune system of the body. | 9. The lymphocyte cells are very essential for the development of adaptive immunity. |
Difference between Monocot and Dicot Leaf <span style=
What are the functions of monocytes?
The major functions of monocyte cells include:
These cells surround the foreign microorganisms before eradicating them from the body.
They play a vital role in controlling the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory processes that take place during the immune responses.
The monocytes help in the removal of dead cells from the body.
What are the functions of lymphocytes?
The major functions of lymphocyte cells are:
The lymphocyte cells produce special proteins, called antibodies, which fight the disease-causing pathogens and keep the body safe from diseases. When a person recovers, the antibodies remain inside the blood to prevent the disease from occurring again.
It helps the body to eradicate any cancer cells from the blood.
The lymphocytes serve as a part of the immune system of our body and also regulate some responses of the immune system towards pathogens or viruses.
What are the different types of lymphocytes present in the human body?
The lymphocyte cells are mainly of two types:
T Lymphocyte cells (T Cells)- The T lymphocyte cells control the responses of the immune system and directly kill the infected cells and the tumor cells from our blood.
B Lymphocyte cells (B Cells)- The B cells produce the antibodies. These special antibodies fight against bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens present inside the body.
What does it indicate when there is a hype in the count of lymphocytes in the body?
If the production of antibodies in our body increases, there might be an infection (viral, bacterial, or other) in the body, blood cancer or cancer of the lymphatic system, or an autoimmune disorder that causes ongoing (chronic) inflammation.
What is the function of lymph nodes?
The lymph nodes contain white blood cells Lymphocytes that attack and break down bacteria, viruses, damaged cells, or cancer cells. Waste products and the destroyed bacteria are then carried in the lymph fluid back into the bloodstream and are removed from the body with other wastes.
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