What type of cell is a lymphocyte?

Lymphocytes are indeed a type of white blood cell that play a crucial role in the immune system, specifically in the adaptive immune response. Unlike granular white blood cells, which contain granules that involve in the immune reaction to pathogens, lymphocytes are characterized by their lack of granules and their larger nucleus relative to the cell body. They are vital for recognizing and responding to foreign substances, including viruses and bacteria.

Lymphocytes can be further categorized into B cells, which produce antibodies, and T cells, which can directly kill infected host cells or help orchestrate the immune response. This specific identification of lymphocytes as non-granular cells sets them apart from other types of cells, thereby confirming why this choice is accurate within the context of cellular immunology and pathology.