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This activity provides brief descriptions of cells derived from myeloid progenitor cells in bone marrow.

Tab Title: Red Blood Cells

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Red blood cells contain the protein hemoglobin, which facilitates the transportation of oxygen throughout the body.

Tab Title: Platelets

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Myeloid progenitor cells also produce megakaryocytes, large precursors of platelets. Megakaryocytes fractionate into many small membranc-bound pieces of cytoplasm, known as platelets. Platelets are important participants in blood clotting, and they become activated whenever there is a breach in the endothelial lining of a blood vessel.

Tab Title: Neutrophil

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Neutrophils circulate in blood. When an injury or tissue invasion with a forgein agent occurs, local mediators secrete cytokines that make local capillary endothelias cells change shape and express adhesion molecules. Neutrophils adhere to the endothelium and and then migrate beneath it, following chemoattractant molecules. At the site of inflammation, neutrophils kill pathogens by phagocytosis.

Tab Title: Eosinophils

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Eosinophils particpate in immune reactions to parasites and they are also mediators of allergic reactions and in asthma. When activated, they release cytoplasmic granules containing mediators of inflammation.

Tab Title: Basophils

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Basophils and their tissue counterparts, mast cells, also participate in allergic reactions and in defense against parasitic infections. These cells also have receptors that bind the IgE antibodies that participate in asthmatic and other allergic reactions. When antigens or allergens cross-link these IgE antibodies, basophils and mast cells release cytokines, histamine, and heparin as inflammatory mediators.

Tab Title: Monocytes/Macrophages

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Monocytes and macrophages are phagocytic cells that can engulf and enzymatically break down microorganisms and foreign material.

Tab Title: Dendritic cell

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Dendritic cells are a special type of macrophage found in tissues in contact with the outside environment (e.g., skin, and epithelial linings of the nose, respiratory tree, and gastroinestinal and uro-genital systems). Dendritic cells serve a sentinel function by engulfing cells and material, breaking it down, and then displaying components on their cell surface. As a result, they are often referred to as "antigen-presenting cells" or APCs. Once they engulf cells or material, they migrate to a local lymph node, bringing them into contact with other T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes. If lymphocytes have receptors that match the molecular shapes being displayed on the dendritic cell, they become activated.