Basophils

/ˈbæsoʊfɪlz/ noun

Definition

Plural of basophil; white blood cells that contain granules filled with histamine and heparin, involved in immune and allergic responses.

Etymology

Plural of 'basophil' from Greek 'basis' (base) and '-phile' (lover), referring to multiple base-loving cells.

Kelly Says

Basophils are immune cells with names and characteristics so similar to mast cells that scientists debated whether they're even different cells—they may be the same cell type in different locations in the body.

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