Curious about Myeloblast vs Lymphoblast? Here is an easy-to-understand article on the differences.
The human body or any living being for that matter is made up of cells. A cell is the structural and functional unit of all living organisms. They are microscopic structures with cytoplasm and nucleus. This is a very basic and general definition of a cell.
The human body, however, is complex with different organ systems with their distinctive functions. The cells which make up all of those systems are able to perform all of those functions because they differentiate from stem cells to form specialized cells concerned with a specific function.
The blood, though mostly liquid, has cells as its constituents. The blood cells can be broadly classified into 3 categories: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The white blood cells are again of three types, namely: Granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes. These can again be classified into types. The white blood cells are concerned with the immune system and the protection of the body against pathogens and diseases.
Myeloblast and lymphoblast are connected to the white blood cells and their types. The key difference between the two, however, lies in the kind of cells they produce. Myeloblast differentiates into granulocytes whereas lymphoblast differentiates lymphocytes.
Comparison Table: Myeloblast vs Lymphoblast
| Criteria | Myeloblast | Lymphoblast |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Myeloblast is a progenitor cell that further differentiates into granulocytes, a type of white blood cell. | Lymphoblast is also a progenitor cell. lymphoblasts differentiate into lymphocytes, another kind of white blood cell. |
| Nucleus shape | The nucleus is one of the most important organelles of a cell. The nucleus in myeloblasts assumes varied shapes, like – ‘s’, ‘c’, ‘v’, etc. | The nucleus in lymphoblasts is usually well-rounded not any other shape. |
| Nucleus size | The nucleus in the myeloblast is smaller than that in the lymphoblast. | The nucleus in the lymphoblast is well developed and bigger than that in the myeloblast. |
| Cytoplasm | The cytoplasm in the myeloblast is granular in nature. | The cytoplasm in the lymphoblast is scanty and irregular. |
| Chromatin | The amount of chromatin differs from cell to cell. Myeloblast has less condensed chromatin | The amount of chromatin differs from cell to cell. Lymphoblast has more condensed chromatin than the myeloblast. |
| Type of leukemia | Malfunctioning myeloblast causes acute lymphoblastic leukemia. | Malfunctioning lymphoblast causes acute lymphoblastic leukemia. |
| Diameter | The diameter of a myeloblast cell is 20 um | The diameter of the lymphoblast cell is 15 um. |
About Myeloblast
Myeloblast is actually is progenitor cell. It is developed from a stem cell. It is one step advanced than the stem cell because stem cells are multipotent, that is, they have the potential to differentiate into any kind of cell but the myeloblast is unipotent, that is, they differentiate into granulocytes only. These cells can be said to be the immature stage of granulocytes.
As such myeloblast differs from granulocytes in many respects as well. A fully matured cell usually has a round nucleus, as is the case with fully formed granulocytes but the myeloblast has a nucleus in all kinds of shapes like s,c, or v-shaped.
The cytoplasm of myeloblasts contains granules and the chromatin is less dense. A myeloblast can be distinguished in a bone marrow smear due to the presence of Auer rods. The process of development of granulocytes from the myeloblast is called granulopoiesis.
The immature myeloblasts sometimes malfunction and instead of maturing into granulocytes, they start accumulating in the periphery of blood vessels. This leads to a disease called Acute Myeloblastic leukemia. Leukemia, unfortunately, has no treatment. Myeloblasts can be stained by myeloperoxidase stain. They are usually 20 um in diameter.
About Lymphoblast
Lymphoblasts too are progenitor cells. They develop from stem cells or hemocytes. The progenitor cells and stem cells are often designated to be the one and the same, however, that is not totally correct. Progenitor cells, like lymphoblasts, are one step more advanced than stem cells.
They are not multipotent but unipotent, which means can differentiate and proliferate into a particular type of cell which is lymphocytes. As they are immature lymphocytes, they differ from lymphocytes in certain aspects. But unlike myeloblast, they have a proper round nucleus and not some other shape. Lymphoblasts are about 15 um in diameter.
The cytoplasm in the lymphoblast is scanty and agranular. The process of development of lymphoblast into lymphocyte is called lymphopoiesis. This process makes them mature into either T cells or B cells, the two types of lymphocytes.
The malfunctioning lymphoblasts cause acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL). This causes infections, like pneumonia, to occur often at intervals which seriously injures the immune system. The prognosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia is better than acute myeloblastic leukemia. It is because of these lethal diseases that are important to figure out the difference between myeloblast and lymphoblast, for a better prognosis.
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Difference Between Myeloblast and Lymphoblast
1) Definition
Myeloblast and lymphoblast both are a type of progenitor cells. A progenitor cell is a cell that has the tendency to differentiate into specific types of cells. They originate from stem cells and are a bit more developed than stem cells. Myeloblast is a progenitor cell that further differentiates into granulocytes, a type of white blood cell. While, lymphoblasts differentiate into lymphocytes, another kind of white blood cell.
2) Nucleus shape
The nucleus is one of the most important organelles of a cell. A developed nucleus is a sign of a developed cell. The nucleus in myeloblasts assumes varied shapes, likes, c, v, etc.
The nucleus in lymphoblasts is usually well-rounded not any other shape.
3) Nucleus size
The nucleus in the lymphoblast is well developed and bigger than that in the myeloblast.
The nucleus in the myeloblast is smaller than that in the lymphoblast.
4) Cytoplasm
The cytoplasm in the lymphoblast is scanty and irregular. The cytoplasm in the myeloblast is granular in nature.
5) Chromatin
Chromatin is that part in a cell that holds the generic information. The amount of chromatin differs from cell to cell. Myeloblast has less condensed chromatin, whereas, lymphoblast, on the other hand, has more condensed chromatin.
6) Type of leukemia
Malfunctioning myeloblast causes acute lymphoblastic leukemia. And malfunctioning lymphoblast causes acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
7) Diameter
The diameter of a myeloblast cell.is 20 um and that of a lymphoblast cell is 15 um.
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Naomi is an educator with 2 decades of experience working with children of all ages. She is a keen observer of the magic and importance of Maths in our daily lives. Follow me on Linkedin