What is the hematocrit value and what is it usually for men and women?
Hematocrit is the volume percentage of red blood cells in blood. It is normally 45% for men and 40% for women
What are the two main reasons for the biconcave disk shape of erythrocytes?
Increased surface area
Flexible shape for narrow passages
Which organelles does an RBC still have?
None
What is thalassemia? What is the primary form of thalassemai?
What is hereditary spherocytosis?
An autosomal dominant abnormality of erythrocytes caused by mutations in the genes that code for spectrin, ankyrin, and band 3 and 4 proteins. These proteins are essential for the normal shape of erythrocytes. When they are deformed the RBCs assume a spherical shape.
What is this an image of?
Hereditary spherocytosis
What is this an image of?
Polycythemia - a disease state in which the hematocrit is >55%
What is this an image of?
Thrombocytopenia - a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of thrombocytes, also known as platelets, in the blood
What is this an image of?
What is poikilocytosis and what causes it?
What are specific granules? What are azurophilic granules?
Specific granules are secretory vesicles found exclusively in cells of the immune system called granulocytes
Azurophilic granules are granules that require a special stain to see and, therefore, are often invisible.
What are polymorphonuclear leukocytes?
Granulocytes
Describe the nucleus of a neutrophil.
Composed of 2-5 lobes connected by thin strands. Older cells have more lobes and young cells called band cells because of horeshoe shaped nucles (band)
Describe the granular appearance of neutrophils and what “need to know” components those granules contain.
Fine, invisible granules (azurophilic granules).
Contain elastase, collagenase, and myeloperoxidase
What leukocyte has the fastest to response to bacteria?
Neutrophil
Describe the primary function of neutrophils
Describe the nucleus of a eosinophil.
Typically bilobed and connected by a thin strand
Describe the granular appearance of eosinophils and what “need to know” components those granules contain.
Describe the primary functions of eosinophils
Describe the nucleus of a basophil.
Irregular, S-shaped, bilobed nuclei. Large, dark purple, variable-sized granules obscure the nucleus.
Describe the granular appearance of basophils and what “need to know” components those granules contain.
Basophils contain specific and azurophilic granules.
Specific granules contain heparin, histamine, and leukotriene. The high levels of sulphate (from the heparin) make these granules basophilic.
As always, the azurophilic granules contain elastase, collagenase, and myeloperoxidase
Describe the primary functions of basophils.
Describe the nucleic and cytoplasmic appearance of a lymphocyte.
Dark, oval to round nucles with a cytoplasm that is sky blue in color (amount varies from rim of blue to normal amount).
Describe the granular appearance of lymphocytes and the “need to know” composition of these granules.
No granules
Where can lymphocytes be found?
In blood as well as lymph
Describe the types of lymphocytes and their functions.
Describe the nucleic and cytoplasmic appearance of a monocyte.
Almost identical to the appearance of a lymphocyte but the nucleus is more idented.
Describe the granular appearance of a monocyte and the “need to know” composition of those granules.
They contain only azurophilic granules (invisible) which, as always, contain collegenases, elastases, and myeloperoxidases
Discuss the life cycle and localization of monocytes.
Describe the primary functions of a monocyte
What are the normal WBC counts and what disorders are likely present when these levels are elevated.
Discuss the steps that lead to the formation of platelets.
What is the typical blood concentration of platelets and how long do platelets usually live for?
How are old or dead platelets removed from circulation?
What is the typical size of a platelet?
2-4 micrometers in diameter
Discuss the “need to know” granular composition of a thrombocyte.
What is the largest WBC?
Monocyte
What is hemostasis?
Blood clot formation
What is this?
Neutrophil
What is this?
Eosinophil
What is this?
Basophil
What is this?
Lymphocyte
What is this?
Monocyte