Leukocytes and their functions: Leukocytes are white blood cells that perform a protective function in the human body. They protect the body from infections, bacteria, viruses, fungi and other foreign agents. There are five main types of white blood cells, each of which has specific functions, such as protecting the body from infections:
Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cell in the blood and have the most adhesion molecules and antibiotic enzymes used to kill trapped bacteria and viruses. They are the first to detect the source of inflammation and absorb harmful substances, releasing reactive oxygen species (free radicals), which kill bacteria and necrotize damaged tissue. Glucocorticoid hormones produced by adrenal cells lead to the release of the glucocorticoid adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) into the blood, which stimulates the function of the cortical adrenal gland to produce and release hormones into the blood; catecholamines epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine, which accelerate metabolism, catalyze the oxidation of amino acids, the breakdown of fats and proteins, increasing the rate of liver production of glucose to provide the energy needs of all organs and systems of the body. Thanks to these hormones, many metabolic processes are accelerated, the level of plasma hormones increases, and its clotting improves.