Blood cells and Superheroes An analogy by jenny pershin
Table of Contents • Thrombocytes ................................................................. 4 • Erythrocytes ................................................................... 6 • Monocytes ......................................................................... 8 • B - Lymphocytes ........................................................... 10
• T - Lymphocytes ........................................................... 12 • Basophils .......................................................................... 14 • Eosinophils ..................................................................... 16 • Neutrophils .................................................................... 18
Thrombocytes
• Thrombocytes, also known as “platelets,” are the smallest of the three types of blood cells. • They resemble tiny spiders with long legs and many points of attachment. • On average, human blood contains approximately 250 – 500,000 platelets per square millimeter of blood. • Platelets are simply fragments of megakaryocytes- a type of bone marrow cell. • The life span of a single platelet tends to be around 10 days.
Elixir • Platelets are responsible for the formation of blood clots. • When they pass over rough surfaces, they become sticky and as a result stick together. • When sticky platelets dry, they form scabs that prevent excessive bleeding. • If it weren’t for these microscopic spiders, living things would be much more susceptible to die of uncontrollable bleeding. • Much like thrombocytes, Elixir is a superhero with the incredible power to heal living things. • As platelets contribute to the prevention of blood loss and infection, Elixir helps mend harm to bodily tissue.
ERYTHROCYTES
• Erythrocytes are more commonly known as red blood cells. They are the most abundant type of blood cell. • They are produced in the red marrow of long bones through a process known as “haematopoiesis.” • They are shaped like plump disks with slight craters in the centre. • The average erythrocyte count in human is anywhere from 4.5 – 6 million cells per square millimeter of blood, most of which live for approximately 120 days. • Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a chemical compound that is necessary for erythrocytes to deliver oxygen to tissues within the body.
Automobiles • Erythrocytes have the important function of supplying various tissues with oxygen. • Red blood cells are capable of transporting oxygen due to a substance called hemoglobin. • These cells are plump when full of oxygen. When oxygen is squeezed from inside them, they become flaccid and return to the lungs to reoxygenate themselves. • Red blood cells are similar to the automobiles of superheroes. • They aid in the transportation of various gasses and run on hemoglobin. • Hemoglobin is to erythrocytes as gasoline is to automobiles.
monocytes
• Monocytes (stained purple) are a type of white blood cell (also known as leukocytes). • There are around 5000 – 9000 leukocytes in a square millimetre of human blood. • Leuokocyte types are determined by the nuclei shape and what color a cell’s granules turn when stained. • Monocytes are large cells that contain a U-shaped nucleus. • They turn purple, indigo or navy when stained.
hulk • Like all white blood cells (also known as leukocytes,) monocytes are responsible for defending the body against foreign materials and internal infections. • Monocytes are a type of large phagocyte. • Phagocytes are material-eating cells that consume foreign substances. They are a key component of the body’s immune system. • Because of their large and dominating size, they are most like the superhero Hulk. • Hulk was most wanted by the American Government when they realized how powerful he can be in defending the nation. • Like Hulk, monocytes are an overpowering and intimidating group of cells that are necessary to the body’s defense system.
B – lymphocytes
• B – cells are another type of lymphocyte. • They have a single nucleus and are distinguished by a specialized B protein that allows them to produce certain antibodies. • They are produced in the bone marrow however it is undetectable what bones they originate from when viral infections arise. • Like all lymphocytes, B – cells increase in quantity when a foreign substance is detected.
nightcrawler • B – cells are responsible for the creation of antibodies. • Antibodies are proteins that help recognize foreign substances and infections. • Like the creation of B – cells, the abilities of Nightcrawler arose from unspecified circumstances/locations. • As part of his supernatural abilities, Nightcrawler produces a red smoke. This is similar to the secretion of antibodies after B – cells detect a foreign substance.
T – lymphocytes
• T – cells have a single nucleus. • Unlike B – cells, they are produced in the thymus (the production of location is specific). • T – cells are crucial to the immunity system. They memorize previous foreign substances that have invaded the human body (essentially making humans immune to certain diseases). • Because of this, some infections are rendered relatively “harmless.” • Unfortunately T – cells are so protective that they often reject transplanted tissue.
Iron man • One similarity between T – cells and Iron Man is that they both originated from an obvious location. Like the production of T – cells in the thymus gland, Iron Man was built (and controlled) by billionaire Tony Stark. • Iron Man’s design served as a weapon of defense when he joined the Avengers. • Another similarity between T – cells and Iron Man is that Tony Stark is incredibly intelligent. T – cells are one of the most intelligent types of blood cells because they are able to memorize and recognize viral infections when they arise.
basophils
• Basophils are a type of granulocyte. • Granulocytes are leukocytes with more than one nucleus. Basophils are the least common of all leukocytes. • Basophils contain large granules that stain dark blue. • They become most active in the occurrence of an allergic reaction.
namor • Basophils contain a substance called histamine. Histamine is a vasodilator that enables the increase of blood flow to damaged tissue or site of allergic reaction. • They also contain heparin, an anticoagulant (substance that prevents clotting) so that scabs don’t form too soon. • Basophils are similar to the aquatic superhero Namor. • Namor can manipulate water, acting as a vasodilator and anticoagulant. • Like basophils have the ability to increase blood flow, Namor can control the movement of water. Basophils’ anticoagulant function is similar to Namor flushing areas and constantly keeping them viscous.
eosinophils
• • • •
Eosinophils are another type of granulocyte. They contain 2 nuclei and turn red when stained. They are produced in bone marrow. These leukocytes neutralize histamine amounts (secreted by basophils), and increase during an allergic reaction or tissue damage. • They secrete a toxic substance that kills foreign bodies. Too much of the chemical can harm the host as well. The secretion of these chemicals is called “degranulation.”
Wolverine • Eosinophils are responsible for the destruction of multicellular parasites. • These include parasitic worms and other infections. • The primary similarity between eosinophils and Wolverine is that both are very aggressive and willing to take on more than most can handle. • When he extends his claws, Wolverine damages his own tissue. It heals eventually, but is a similar to how eosinophils unintentionally harm host tissues through degranulation.
Neutrophils
• Neutrophils are the most abundant type of leukocyte. • They have a multi-lobed nucleus and contain small granules that stain pink. • They are a type of phagocyte and increase in quantity when acute bacterial or fungal infection occurs.
flash • Being the most common leukocyte, neutrophils are always the first infectionfighting cells to appear on site of tissue damage. • This is why they resemble Flash, the super fast superhero who’s always first to arrive.