Lymphocytes are part of leukocytes but they are different from each other as they both different functions in our body.
Lymphocytes vs Leukocytes
The main difference between lymphocytes and leukocytes is that leukocytes are also known as white blood cells. On the other hand, lymphocytes are types of leukocytes or white blood cells.
A lymphocyte is defined as a type of white blood cell made in bone and marrow and generally found in lymph tissue and blood. It is a part of an immune system with two main types of B cells and T cells b cells can make antibodies that can attack viruses, bacteria, and toxins. T cells help to control the immune system and kill tumors.
A leukocyte is defined as a part of the immune system in a body that helps the body fight diseases and infections. Some leukocytes are monocytes, lymphocytes (T cells and B cells and also known as WBC or white blood cells), and granulocytes (basophils, neutrophils, and eosinophils).
Comparison Between Lymphocytes and Leukocytes
| Parameter of Comparison | Lymphocytes | Leukocytes |
| Meaning | Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell which are made in the bone marrow and generally found in lymph tissue and blood. | Leukocyte is a part of the immune system that helps the body fight diseases and other infections. |
| Types of immunity | Lymphocytes take responsibility for the adaptive immune system. | Leukocytes without lymphocytes are responsible for innate immunity in the human body. |
| Subtypes | Lymphocytes are divided into T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes, which prevent the body from attacking viruses and controlling the immune system. | There are five types of leukocytes which are lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils, eosinophils, and neutrophils. |
| Stem cells | Lymphocytes are the cells that arise from the stem cell line, which are called progenitor cells or lymphoid. | Leukocytes are the cells which arise from the stem cell line except lymphocytes cells are called a myeloid stem cell. |
| Granulocytes or Agranulocytes | Lymphocytes are also known as agranulocytes. | It is believed that some leukocytes are agranulocytes and some leukocytes are granulocytes. |
What are Lymphocytes?
A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell in the immune system of the human body. Lymphocytes have three major types, which are T cells (thymus cell), B cells (bone cell), and Natural killer (NK). Natural killer cells are a type of cell toxic lymphocyte representing one of the major components of the inherent immune system. NK cells also reject cells that are infected by viruses and tumors.
The natural killers work as the process of programmed cell death or apoptosis. They are called NK because they do not need to have activation to kill cells. Another type of lymphocytes, T cells that play a crucial role in cell-mediated immunity. T cell receptors can differentiate with other lymphocyte types.
A thymus, which is a specialized organ in the immune system, is mainly responsible for the T-cells maturation. There are six different T cells: natural killer T cells, gamma delta T cells, cytotoxic T cells, helper T cells, regulatory T cells, and memory T cells.
Lastly, B cells, which are also known as bone cells, play a part in humoral immunity. B cells make antibodies and antigens and perform the part of antigen-presenting cells. It is believed that in mammals, immature B cells are made in the bone marrow from where its name is derived.
What are Leukocytes?
A leukocyte is believed to be the scientific name of a white blood cell. It is a cell that protects our body from different diseases in different ways. The red bone marrow stem cell, which is also known as hemocytoblasts, gives form to generally all white cells while others are formed in a lymphatic system. leukocytes can also be called leucocytes. It is a cell in the immune system which protect the body from the various infectious disease and from foreign invaders. The white cells are made from the multipotent cells on the bone marrow which is called hematopoietic stem cells.
There are different types of white blood cells classified as two majors: granulocytes and agranulocytes. There are three types of white blood cells under granulocytes, which are neutrophils that ingest foreign contaminants in the body. Some common white blood cells are basophils that help inflammation, and eosinophils that are a moderate allergic reaction. In contrast, two types of white blood cells under agranulocytes are lymphocytes and monocytes that consume bacteria.
Main Differences Between Lymphocytes and Leukocytes
- Both lymphocytes and leukocytes are the white blood cells in a body.
- Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell which are made in the bone marrow and generally found in lymph tissue and blood. On the other hand, Leukocytes are a part of the immune system that helps the body fight diseases and other infections.
- There are three different types of lymphocytes. On the other hand, there are five different types of leukocytes.
- Lymphocytes are divided into T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes, which prevent the body from attacking viruses and controlling the immune system. On the other hand, five different types of leukocytes are lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils, eosinophils, and neutrophils.
- Lymphocytes, also known as agranulocytes, means they only consist of agranulocytes. It is believed that some leukocytes are agranulocytes and some leukocytes are granulocytes.
Conclusion
As the main factor between the term lymphocytes and leukocytes have been told, it is seen that they are not the same, have a different meaning, and perform a different function in the body. Both are white blood cells, because of which they are considered the same.
Lymphocytes are the type of leukocytes, but they are different, and lymphocytes consist of agranulocytes. Although they are quite similar, they are very different from each other as they both perform a different function.
References
- https://ashpublications.org/blood/article-abstract/23/6/811/37857
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119325052