1. white blood cells that release histamine and other chemicals during allergic reactions and inflammation
Usage: medical; biology

Examples

• Basophils make up less than 1% of all white blood cells in healthy individuals.
• During an allergic reaction, basophils release histamine into the bloodstream.
• The doctor ordered a complete blood count to check the patient’s basophil levels.
• Basophils play an important role in the body’s immune response to parasites.
• Elevated basophils in blood tests may indicate certain allergic conditions.
• Medical students learn to identify basophils under a microscope by their dark-staining granules.