Medicneet Logo

White Blood Cells: Granulocytes and Agranulocytes

Biology · Body Fluids and Circulation · NEET

White blood cells (leucocytes) are nucleated, colourless blood cells split into two groups. Granulocytes have granules in their cytoplasm and include neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils. Agranulocytes lack these granules and include lymphocytes and monocytes. Memory hook: "NEB are Granular, LM are not" (Neutrophil-Eosinophil-Basophil vs Lymphocyte-Monocyte).
White Blood Cells (Leucocytes)6000-8000 / mm3, nucleatedGRANULOCYTES (with granules)AGRANULOCYTES (no granules)Neutrophil60-65%Eosinophil2-3%Basophil0.5-1%Lymphocyte20-25%Monocyte6-8%Memory: NEB = Granular, LM = not
The two WBC groups: granulocytes (Neutrophil, Eosinophil, Basophil) carry cytoplasmic granules; agranulocytes (Lymphocyte, Monocyte) do not. Percentages are the NCERT values.

Your doubts, answered

Which WBCs are granulocytes and which are agranulocytes?

Granulocytes = Neutrophils, Eosinophils and Basophils (they have granules in the cytoplasm). Agranulocytes = Lymphocytes and Monocytes (no visible granules). NCERT states this in exactly these words, so remember all five names in this split.

Is a basophil a granulocyte or an agranulocyte?

A basophil is a GRANULOCYTE. This is a common NEET trap. Even though basophils are the fewest WBCs (0.5-1%), they belong to the granulocyte group along with neutrophils and eosinophils. In NEET 2023 the statement 'Basophils are agranulocytes' was marked wrong.

Are monocytes granulocytes?

No. Monocytes are AGRANULOCYTES, grouped with lymphocytes. Monocytes have a kidney-shaped nucleus and are phagocytic (they eat foreign organisms), but they do not have cytoplasmic granules, so they are not granulocytes.

Why are lymphocytes and monocytes called agranulocytes?

Because their cytoplasm does not show stainable granules under a microscope. 'A-' means 'without', so agranulocyte literally means 'without granules'. Lymphocytes handle the immune response and monocytes do phagocytosis, but neither shows granules.

What is the difference between granulocytes and agranulocytes?

Granulocytes have cytoplasmic granules and a lobed nucleus (neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil). Agranulocytes have no granules and a large rounded or kidney-shaped nucleus (lymphocyte, monocyte). This grouping is a direct NCERT line and a frequent NEET question.

⚠️ The NEET trap
✗ Basophils and monocytes are agranulocytes because they are few in number.
✓ Basophils are GRANULOCYTES (few in number does not change the group); monocytes are agranulocytes.
🧠 Number does not decide the group. Granules do. Basophils = fewest WBC but still granulocyte.

Real NEET questions

NEET 2023

Which of the following statements are correct? A. Basophils are most abundant cells of the total WBCs. B. Basophils secrete histamine, serotonin and heparin. C. Basophils are involved in inflammatory response. D. Basophils have kidney shaped nucleus. E. Basophils are agranulocytes. Choose the correct answer:

A · D and E only
B · C and E only
C · B and C only ✓
D · A and B only
Solution: Basophils secrete histamine, serotonin and heparin (B correct) and take part in inflammatory reactions (C correct). They are the LEAST abundant WBCs at 0.5-1% (A wrong), they are GRANULOCYTES not agranulocytes (E wrong), and the kidney-shaped nucleus belongs to monocytes not basophils (D wrong). So only B and C are correct.

Solved Body Fluids and Circulation NEET PYQs

Try the real previous-year questions from this chapter — each with the answer and a full solution.

See all 34 Body Fluids and Circulation NEET PYQs ›
Next concept: Types of WBC →Keep learning — 2 minFeeling ready? Solve the Body Fluids and Circulation NEET PYQs ›Or practice on your phone — get the free MedicNEET app ›

Frequently asked

How many main categories of WBC are there?

Two: granulocytes and agranulocytes. Granulocytes are neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils; agranulocytes are lymphocytes and monocytes.

Which is the most abundant WBC and which is the least?

Neutrophils are the most abundant (60-65% of total WBCs) and basophils are the least (0.5-1%). Both are granulocytes.

Do WBCs have a nucleus?

Yes. All leucocytes are nucleated and colourless (they lack haemoglobin). This is a key difference from mature mammalian RBCs, which have no nucleus.

Which WBCs are phagocytic?

Neutrophils and monocytes are phagocytic; they destroy foreign organisms entering the body. Note one is a granulocyte (neutrophil) and one is an agranulocyte (monocyte).

How many WBCs are there per mm3 of blood?

A healthy person has about 6000-8000 WBCs per mm3 of blood, far fewer than RBCs. WBCs are also generally short-lived.

Related concepts:
Types of WBC: Their Percentage and FunctionsWhat Are the Formed Elements of BloodRed Blood Cells: Structure and HaemoglobinPlatelets (Thrombocytes) and Their RoleComposition of Blood: Plasma and Formed Elements
Practise Biology for NEET:
Biology MCQs (free, chapter-wise)Body Fluids and Circulation PYQs