1. Intro to Hematolgy and Basic Formed Element Morphology Flashcards
What are the four basic functions of blood?
- Major “transportation medium” - blood permeates all organs and tissues
- Homeostasis - quantity of everything in the blood is regulated in some fashion
- Buffering
- Temperature regulation
1.8 Blood can be divided into what categories?
- Formed elements
2. Plasma
1.8 What are the three formed elements?
- RBCs (erythrocytes), WBC (leukocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes)
1.9 What does plasma consist of?
- H2O
- Solutes
- Plasma proteins (albumins, globulins, fibrinogen)
1.9 Define serum
Plasma minus its clotting factors
1.10 What percentage of body weight is blood?
8% body weight (5-6 L males and 4-5 L for females)
- Varies according to overall mass
1.11 Is blood at a higher or lower temperature than the rest of the body?
Blood is at a higher temperature than the body (we are a warm blooded species)
1.12 What are the three hematocrit states?
- Normal
- Anemia (low hematocrit)
- Polycythemia (high hematocrit)
1.13 What is considered the best method for definitely evaluating and identifying immature and abnormal formed element cells?
A blood smear examined by a trained eye
- 14 Describe red blood cells in terms of appearance on a blood smear
- Shape?
- Nucleus?
- Principal functions?
Biconcave shape - increases surface area - center will look lighter than periphery
Lacks a nucleus
Solubilize, exchange, and carry gases; buffering
1.15 Because RBC’s lack a nucleus, what functions do they lack that other cells normally have?
- Cannot make proteins
- Cannot repair themselves
- Can’t reproduce
- Finite lifespan of 90-120 days
- 16 Describe platelets
- Are they cells?
- Principal function?
Not really cells - they are fragments of megakaryocytes that break off in the bone marrow before entering the peripheral blood
Formation of platelet plugs, which slow down or stop bleeding (depending on severity) - different than blood clots
- 17 Neutrophils
- Describe their nucleus
- Principal function?
- Granular or aggranular?
Very characteristic nucleus divided into 3-5 lobes which are connected by thin strands of chromatin
Function is primary defense against bacteria and fungi - they are the most frequent white blood cell (~60-70), invade sites of infection, and phagocytize pathogens
Granular
- 20 Eosinophils
- Nucleus has how many lobes?
- Granular or aggranular?
- Principal function?
Nucleus usually has only two lobes - looks like an alien head
Has granules - cytoplasm usually filled with them
- The name eosinophil comes from how the granules strongly stain red or pink when eosin or another dye is used
Function is defense against parasitic infections
- 21 Basophils
- Nucleus has how many lobes?
- Granular or aggranular?
- Principal function?
Nucleus usually has two or three lobes, but they are not well defined and may appear S shaped
Granular - but not as many as eosinophils
Function is to mediate inflammatory reactions, especially those that cause allergy symptoms
- 23 Basophils
- What are they called after migrating to tissues?
- What do they release?
Basophils become mast cells when migrating
Histamine is released by basophils and mast cells, causing some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
- 24 Monocytes
- Nucleus shape?
- What other structure notably appears in the stain?
- Granules?
Nucleus is C or kidney shaped - single lobe
Golgi apparatus appears in the stain - leaving a light impression known as a “negative image”
Very few, if any granules
- 25 Monocytes
- What are they called after migrating to tissues?
- Principal function?
Monocytes become macrophages
Principal function is to kill intracellular microorganisms (certain bacteria, fungi) similar to neutrophils (i.e. phagocytosis)
- 26 Lymphocytes
- Nucleus shape?
- Granules?
Round nucleus with very little cytoplasm (nucleus fills up the cell)
Very few, if any granules
- 27 Lymphocytes
- Two main types?
- Principal function?
B and T lymphocytes
Function is to identify “non-self” antigens and each one has a specific response to eliminate pathogens with antigens or pathogen-infected cells
- 28 B Lymphocytes
- What do B lymphocytes produce in response to pathogen interaction?
Antibodies, which then attack bacteria and viruses
- 28 T Lymphocytes
- What do T-helper cells (CD4+ cells) do?
- What do cytotoxic t cells (CD8+ cells) do?
T-helper cells: Produce chemicals that direct the immune response
Cytotoxic T cells: Produce enzymes which induce the death of pathogen infected cells
- 29 Natural Killer cells
- What do these lymphocytes play a major role in?
- Granular or agranular?
- What proteins do they release?
Play a major role in the rejection of tumors and cells infected by viruses.
They have granules.
They kill cells by releasing small cytoplasmic granules of proteins called perforin and granzyme that cause the target cell to die.
