In this episode, the body is invaded by two pathogens from contaminated raw seafood: Vibrio bacteria and the Anisakis parasite. Eosinophil tries unsuccessfully to kill the Vibrio bacteria as it invades the intestine. After the neutrophils kill the Vibrio bacteria, the other cells mock Eosinophil for being a weakling. Soon after; though, the Anisakis worm invades the stomach. Despite pleas from other cells to run away, Eosinophil faces the parasite alone and kills it in one stab. Much to Eosinophil’s embarrassment, the other cells commend her for killing the parasite and apologise for underestimating her.

How do neutrophils and eosinophils compare in killing bacteria and parasites respectively? Join us as we look at the killing mechanisms of these two distinct white blood cells.

In this episode, Naïve T Cell patrols the body to find and kill influenza-infected cells. However, he gets easily scared by the influenza-infected cells that are portrayed as zombies. He is paralysed as the other White Blood Cells kill the influenza-infected cells and gets berated by Killer T Cell for not joining in the fight. Eventually, Naïve T Cell runs away from the battlefield and meets Dendritic Cell. Dendritic Cell encourages Naïve T Cell by explaining how every killer T cell went through the same experiences as him in the past and how every white blood cell is supporting him. These facts allowed Naïve T Cell to evolve into Effector T Cell who can effectively kill influenza-infected cells, ending the infection.

How do naïve T cells evolve into effector T cells in the human body and how do dendritic cells (DCs) contribute to this process? Join us as we unpack what the influenza virus is and how T cells are activated.

In this episode, the human body has a skin abrasion which creates a hole sucking cells out of the body. Bacteria also invade the human body through the hole, so the white blood cells have to work tirelessly to stop them spreading further. Platelets eventually arrive to lay a fibrin mesh that covers the hole. This stops further entry of bacteria and allows white blood cells to eliminate the remaining bacteria. At the end of the episode, red and white blood cells become stuck in the blood clot as it is carted off by platelets.

How would the events of this episode work in real life? Join us as we dive into why the skin is important and how the damaged skin is repaired.

In the first episode of the anime series Cells at Work!, Pneumococcus bacteria suddenly invade the human body. The neutrophils eliminate most Pneumococcus, but one of them runs away, intent on attacking the lungs. White Blood Cell rescues Red Blood Cell during the attack and accompanies her to the lungs as the former searches for the stray Pneumococcus and the latter drops off the carbon dioxide. After White Blood Cell leaves; however, Red Blood Cell is terrified by the stray Pneumococcus that emerges from her package. Realising this, White Blood Cell corners Pneumococcus into a trap in the lungs where he is captured and sent in a rocket to be sneezed out.

How true are the events of the anime episode? Join us as we learn more about Pneumococcus and how it can cause serious damage to the human body.

Blood. It is the stuff of life. It runs along the blood vessels of the human body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to cells while carrying off carbon dioxide and wastes. It is made up of two components: plasma and cells. Plasma, making up 55% of blood, is the liquid component containing proteins, electrolytes, nutrients and wastes suspended in water. The characters of Cells at Work! reside in the cellular component making up the remaining 45%. Nearly all cells in the blood are red blood cells with the remainder residing in a buffy coat composed of platelets and white blood cells.