The nucleus of a monocyte is soft, spongy, and oval-shaped with a pale bluish violet colour stain. The nucleus of a lymphocyte is dense, oval-shaped and stretched with a deep purplish-blue colour stain.

There are five types of white blood cell (leucocyte). These are divided into two main classes. Agranulocytes (includes Lymphocytes and Monocytes). This classification depends on whether granules can be distinguished in their cytoplasm using a light microscope and conventional staining methods).

Basically, monocytes are like first responders that respond quickly and non-specifically to antigens. Lymphocytes are like specialized back-ups that operate more slowly. They typically take over when monocytes aren’t killing the antigens effectively.

Monocytes are involved in Innate immunity where the defense mechanisms come into play immediately or within hours of infection or injury when the antigen appears. Lymphocytes are part of adaptive immunity or acquired immunity which uses specific antigens to mount an immune response. Size and shape. Large-sized may be spherical or ameboid.

What is the difference between Monocytes and Lymphocytes? Monocytes are large, spherical cells that make up 2-8% of circulating WBCs, and destroy pathogens through phagocytosis. Lymphocytes vary in size, make up 20-30% of circulating WBCs, and destroy pathogens by producing antibodies.