Agranulocyte

/ˌæɡrænˈjuːloʊsaɪt/ noun

Definition

A type of white blood cell that lacks visible granules in its cytoplasm, including lymphocytes and monocytes.

Etymology

From Greek 'a-' (without) + 'granulo-' (granule) + 'cyte' (cell), describing blood cells that appear smooth under a microscope without the speckled appearance of other white cells.

Kelly Says

Under an old microscope, scientists would look for cells without granules and wonder what they were for—turns out they're incredibly important for immune memory and fighting viruses!

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