Basophils

Basophils are white blood cells very similar to mast cells in that they are both granulocytes and are named so because of the large granules found in their cytoplasm. These granuales contain histamine which they release when the inflammatory response is triggered. As other white blood cells, basophils are generated in the bone marrow by haemoposis before being recruited to the blood when required. Just like eosinophils, basophils also have cell receptors that bind IgE which helps to combat parasitic infection.