Final answer:
Chemokines are chemotactic cytokines that recruit leukocytes to sites of infection and inflammation. They are substances used to signal between leukocytes and attract them to specific locations. Chemokines play a crucial role in the chemotaxis of leukocytes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chemokines are chemotactic cytokines that recruit specific subsets of leukocytes to infections, damaged tissue, and sites of inflammation. They are substances used to signal between leukocytes, attracting them to specific locations. Chemokines are secreted into the intercellular space and induce the receiving cell to change its physiology. They play a crucial role in the chemotaxis of leukocytes.
Leukocytes in the blood respond to chemical attractants released by pathogens and chemical signals from nearby injured cells. These chemical signals include chemokines, which act as messengers to guide leukocytes to sites of infection or tissue damage. Once the leukocytes are recruited, they can initiate an immune response to eliminate the pathogen or heal the damaged tissue.
Overall, chemokines are essential for coordinating the movement of leukocytes to specific locations in the body, allowing for an effective immune response to infections and tissue damage.