What are white blood cells also known as?

White blood cells are commonly referred to as leukocytes. This term is derived from the Greek words "leukos," meaning "white," and "kytos," meaning "cell." Leukocytes play a crucial role in the immune system, acting as the body's defense mechanism against infections, foreign invaders, and various diseases. They are essential for maintaining health by identifying and eliminating harmful pathogens.

The other terms do not accurately describe white blood cells. Platelets are small cell fragments involved in blood clotting, not part of the immune response. Hematocytes is a broader term that might refer to any blood cell but is not commonly used specifically for white blood cells. Phagocytes are a type of leukocyte that specifically engulf and digest cellular debris and pathogens, but not all leukocytes are phagocytes, making leukocytes the correct term to encompass all white blood cells.