develops from myeloid cell promyelocyte granulocytopoietic cell myelocyte 2010-08-30T01:08:19Z https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_0002193 A myelocyte is a type of immature granulocyte found in the bone marrow during the production of blood cells, a process known as hematopoiesis. Myelocytes represent an intermediate stage in the development of granulocytes, which are a type of white blood cell essential for the immune system. The three kinds of granulocytes that derive from myelocytes are neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils, each with distinct properties and functions. Myelocytes possess some functionalities of a mature cell such as the presence of specific granules. The main function of myelocytes is to differentiate into mature granulocytes. The process starts with a hematopoietic stem cell, which progressively matures into a myeloblast, and further into a promyelocyte before eventually becoming a myelocyte. At this stage, the cell begins producing granules that carry specific enzymes and other substances used to fight infections. The most common type of myelocyte is the neutrophilic myelocyte, which eventually develops into a neutrophil, the most common type of white blood cell. Neutrophilic myelocytes contribute significantly to the body's primary immune response as mature neutrophils are often the first cells to arrive at a site of infection. They ingest and destroy bacteria and other harmful agents to prevent further infection. Eosinophilic and basophilic myelocytes develop into eosinophils and basophils, respectively, playing their role in managing allergic reactions and parasitic infections. Dysfunction in myelocyte development can give rise to various diseases, including different forms of leukemia, where myelocytes undergo uncontrolled proliferation. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) BTO:0000734 FMA:83525 A cell type that is the first of the maturation stages of the granulocytic leukocytes normally found in the bone marrow. Granules are seen in the cytoplasm. The nuclear material of the myelocyte is denser than that of the myeloblast but lacks a definable membrane. The cell is flat and contains increasing numbers of granules as maturation progresses.