Cellular microscopy 2: blood cells, urine cells and parasites

Question 1

Define ERYTHOCYTES

Answer 1

Red blood cells. They are small, biconcave discs found in the blood. They have NO NUCLEUS

Question 2

Roughly how many erythrocytes are there per ml?

Answer 2

5-8 million

Question 3

What is the main function of erythrocytes?

Answer 3

To oxygenate tissues

Question 4

What are the two different ways to measure haemoglobin levels in the blood?

Answer 4

Using a pulse oximeter
Arterial blood gas analysis (using an EPOC machine)

Question 5

What is the size of an average erythrocyte?

Answer 5

7 micrometres

Question 6

Where does destruction of erythrocytes happen?

Answer 6

In the spleen and the liver. Part of the erythrocyte is preserved and reused and the waste pigment is broken down

Question 7

What is important to remember about canine red blood cells?

Answer 7

They are paler than cat erythrocytes when viewed under a microscope

Question 8

Define PLASMA

Answer 8

The fluid component of blood, where RBCs are found

Question 9

Define HAEMOLYSIS

Answer 9

The destruction of red blood cells

Question 10

What are possible causes of haemolysis?

Answer 10

Possibly disease (such as IMHA)
Poor blood sampling technique (e.g. using too small a needle or shaking the sample tube)

Question 11

Define CRENATE

Answer 11

The shrinking/shrivelling of red blood cells. Presence of a lot of crenation could indicate pathology and should be reported to a vet

Question 12

Define ANAEMIA

Answer 12

Lack of red blood cells

Question 12

What is the average lifespan of an erythrocyte?

Answer 12

120 days in circulation

Question 13

Define a LEUCOCYTE

Answer 13

A general term for all white blood cells. Have a lifespan of around 21 days, and are larger than erythrocytes. They are split into granular and agranular cells initially and then further identified

Question 14

Define GRANULOCYTES

Answer 14

Make up 70% of all leucocytes. They have visible granules when stained, and generally have irregularly shaped nuclei

Question 15

What general shape is the nucleus of a granulocyte?

Answer 15

They are polymorphonuclear, and have irregularly shaped nuclei

Question 16

What percentage of all leucocytes are granulocytes?

Answer 16

Around 70%

Question 17

What are the most common types of granulocytes?

Answer 17

Neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils

Question 18

Define EOSINOPHILS

Answer 18

Make up between 2-10% of all circulating leucocytes, they help to inhibit allergic response and secrete anti-inflammatory substances in response to parasitic infections. They have a BILOBE NUCLEUS

Question 19

What is the role of an eosinophil?

Answer 19

They help to inhibit allergic response and secrete anti-inflammatory substances in response to parasitic infections

Question 20

Define EOSINOPHILIA

Answer 20

An increase in eosinophils

Question 21

Define EOSINOPENIA

Answer 21

A decrease in eosinophils. Very rare but still difficult to identify due to their low numbers anyway

Question 22

What does the suffix ‘phil’ mean?

Answer 22

Literally means ‘loving’

Question 23

What does the suffix penia mean?

Answer 23

To lack, or have a deficiency

Question 24

Define a BASOPHIL

Answer 24

They are very rare and make up only 0.5-1% of all circulating leucocytes. They release histamine and heparin and are generally since in allergic reactions. Have an ELONGATED NUCLEUS

Question 25

What colour do basophils stain?

Answer 25

Blue

Question 26

Define NEUTROPHILS

Answer 26

Make up 60-70% of all circulating leucocytes, with their presence indicating infection. Have a MANY LOBED NUCLEUS. Often pale, as they do not stain well

Question 27

Define NEUTROPENIA

Answer 27

A decrease in neutrophils, likely due to a chronic bacterial infection that is too strong

Question 28

Define NEUTROPHILIA

Answer 28

An increase in neutrophils, likely in response to infection

Question 29

What are immature neutrophils referred to as?

Answer 29

Band form neutrophils. They have a HORSESHOE SHAPED NUCLEUS

Question 29

Why would you see the presence of band form neutrophils?

Answer 29

Sometimes released early from bone marrow in response to chronic infection

Question 30

What colour do eosinophils stain?

Answer 30

They easily take on eosin, and stain red

Question 31

Define AGRANULOCYTES

Answer 31

White blood cells with no visible granules (except large lymphocytes). They have uniformly shaped nuclei

Question 32

What are some examples of agranulocytes?

Answer 32

Monocytes and lymphocytes

Question 33

Define LYMPHOYCYTES

Answer 33

Make up around 30% of circulating leucocytes. They are responsible for active immunity, and are important for the immune response. They have a LARGE UNIFORM NUCLEUS that fills most of the cell

Question 34

What are the two types of lymphocytes?

Answer 34

Small lymphocytes and large lymphocytes

Question 35

Define ANTIBODIES

Answer 35

Also called immunoglobin. Used by the immune system to identify and neutralise foreign objects such as pathogenic bacteria and viruses

Question 36

Define SMALL LYMPHOCYTES

Answer 36

Divided in to B and T cells. They both allow for adaptive immune response to infectious agents - T cells undergo phagocytosis - B cells create antibodies. They are linked to antigens and are bacteria/virus specific

Question 37

Define LARGE LYMPHOCYTES

Answer 37

Often granular, referred to as natural killer cells. They identify and destroy body cells that have become infected or are no longer functional

Question 38

Define LYMPHOPHILIA

Answer 38

An increased number of lymphocytes

Question 39

Define PHAGOCYTIC

Answer 39

A cell that carries out a lot of phagocytosis is phagocytic

Question 39

Define LYMPHOPENIA

Answer 39

A decreased number of lymphocytes. May be seen in stressed animals - the presence of cortisol can supress the immune system

Question 39

Define MONOCYTES

Answer 39

Make up 5-6% of circulating leucocytes. They are the largest of the leucocytes. They spend a short time in circulation and then migrate to the tissue to become macrophages. They are only seen in cases of infection that cannot be resolved by neutrophils/ Have a BIOLOBED NUCLEUS

Question 40

Define MACROPHAGES

Answer 40

They sit stable and dormant in tissue until needed. They phagocytose bacteria and secrete pro inflammatory and antimicrobial mediators