Mast Cells And Basophils Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Mast Cells And Basophils?

Mast cells and basophils are two types of white blood cells that play a critical role in the body’s immune system. They function by releasing chemicals and proteins in response to foreign substances that enter the body, such as allergens or parasites. Mast cells and basophils can be found in many areas of the body, including the skin, mucous membranes, lungs, gastrointestinal tract and even bone marrow.Mast cells are a type of granulocyte that contain histamine and heparin. They have large granules inside their cytoplasm which contain these chemicals as well as enzymes which help break down foreign particles like bacteria or fungi. When mast cells encounter an antigen (a foreign substance), they release their contents into surrounding tissue to alert other immune system components to respond. This triggers an inflammatory response which helps eliminate the invader from the body. In addition to histamine and heparin, mast cells also release cytokines (chemical messengers) which cause inflammation and attract other immune system components like neutrophils or eosinophils to help fight off infection.Basophils are another type of granulocyte which contains large amounts of histamine along with heparin and other substances called proteoglycans which help stop bleeding when there is injury or inflammation present in tissue. Basophils play an important role in allergies because they can recognize antigens entering the body from food sources or airborne allergens like pollen or dust mites. When a basophil detects an antigen it will release its contents into surrounding tissues causing allergic reactions such as hives, itching, sneezing or wheezing depending on where it has been released into the body’s tissues. Overall both mast cells and basophils play important roles in defending our bodies against pathogens by creating inflammatory responses when they detect a foreign substance entering our bodies. They also work together to create a complex network of communication between different white blood cell types so that all individuals involved can effectively respond appropriately against any given threat. Therefore if you ever experience any kind of allergic reaction , chances are it’s because your mast cell/basophil network is at work .