ELM Productions: MP - The Struggle Inside

My project is very medically based so its very important that the facts are in place. So, here is the research:

White Blood Cells:

White blood cells (WBCs), or leukocytes, are a part of the immune system and help our bodies fight infection. They circulate in the blood so that they can be transported to an area where an infection has developed. In a normal adult body there are 4,000 to 10,000 (average 7,000) WBCs per microliter of blood. When the number of WBCs in your blood increases, this is a sign of an infection somewhere in your body.

This insert says that the WBCs travel with the blood cells, and not seperatly. It also says that the amount of WBCs increase with the presence of an infection or virus.

Project:
In regards to the project, this means that at first that will be a sparse number of WBCs and increasing when the threat is made present.

The Type of WBC:
The six main types of WBCs and the average percentage of each type in the blood:

Neutrophils - 58 percent
Eosinophils - 2 percent
Basophils - 1 percent
Bands - 3 percent
Monocytes - 4 percent
Lymphocytes - 4 percent

Neutrophils are the one of the body's main defenses against bacteria. They kill bacteria by actually ingesting them (this is called phagocytosis). Neutrophils can phagocytize five to 20 bacteria in their lifetime. Neutrophils have a multi-lobed, segmented or polymorphonuclear nucleus and so are also called PMNs, polys or segs. Bands are immature neutrophils that are seen in the blood. When a bacterial infection is present, an increase of neutrophils and bands are seen.
Neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils are also called granulocytes because they have granules in their cells that contain digestive enzymes... neutrophils have a faint blue-pink color.

Project:
It's clear that the WBC that will feature in the animation are Neutrophils. This excert clearly describes the look and style of the WBC. Not only are they the majority of WBC found in the body, they also deal with the bacteria and virus found in the body.
The description of the Neutrophil will help when designing the ship.

The Way Neutrophils Attack Invaders:
Neutrophils and monocytes use several mechanisms to get to and kill invading organisms. They can squeeze through openings in blood vessels by a process called diapedesis. They move around using ameboid motion. They are attracted to certain chemicals produced by the immune system or by bacteria and migrate toward areas of higher concentrations of these chemicals. This is called chemotaxis. They kill bacteria by a process called phagocytosis, in which they completely surround the bacteria and digest them with digestive enzymes.

Project:
Neutrophils destory bacteria and viruses by engulfing them. The process of phagocytosis means that the WBC complete surrounds it and and pretty much eats them. Chemotaxis is the signalling of the WBC. They move towards areas of high concentration. This is how the WBC find there target.

Neutrophil Chemotaxis