BSC2086L E.2 Blood

Developed for the Broward College course BSC2086/L Anatomy and Physiology II.

whole blood

• A viscous mixture of fluid containing formed elements suspended in plasma.

• Transports dissolved substances, establishes hemostasis, involved in defense against pathogens, regulates pH by buffer action, and regulates body temperature.

red cell layer

• The bottom layer of centrifuged blood.

• Consists of erythrocytes.

buffy coat layer

• The thin layer between the red cell layer and the plasma in centrifuged blood.

• Consists of leukocytes and platelets.

plasma

• The top layer of centrifuged blood.

• Consists of mostly water with proteins, nutrients, electrolytes, enzymes, hormones, waste products, and gases.

erythrocyte

• Most abundant cell in whole blood.

• Appears red and rounded.

• Contains hemoglobin.

• Transports oxygen and carbon dioxide.

• Also known as red blood cells (RBCs).

leukocyte

• Uncommon cell in whole blood.

• Has various immune functions.

• Can be divided into a granulocyte or agranulocyte.

• Also known as a white blood cell.

platelet

• Cytoplasmic fragments of megakaryocytes.

• Appears small and irregularly shaped.

• Controls hemostasis (blood clotting).

• Also known as a thrombocyte.

granulocytes

• Class of leukocytes.

• Contains visible granules in the cytoplasm.

• Includes neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

agranulocytes

• Class of leukocytes.

• Does not contain visible granules in the cytoplasm.

• Includes monocytes and lymphocytes.

neutrophil

• Leukocyte and granulocyte.

• Appears with a multilobulated nucleus with barely visible connecting bands.

• Engulfs and digests pathogens, abnormal cells, and foreign particles.

• Most abundant leukocyte.

• Count increased by bacterial infection or inflammatory diseases.

• Count decreased by drug toxicity or radiation exposure.

eosinophil

• Leukocyte and granulocyte.

• Appears with a bilobed nucleus with rosy red-stained granules.

• Attacks parasites by releasing toxic substances.

• Count increased by parasitic infection.

• Count decreased by stress.

basophil

• Leukocyte and granulocyte.

• Appears with very large and prominent blue-stained cytoplasmic granules. Has a bilobed nucleus.

• Attracted to areas of tissue damage and promotes inflammation.

• Least abundant leukocyte.

• Count increased by allergies or leukemia.

• Count decreased by stress, hypothyroidism, and pregnancy.

monocyte

• Leukocyte and agranulocyte.

• Appears with a horseshoe-shaped nucleus and much cytoplasm; about twice the size of an erythrocyte.

• The largest leukocyte.

• Migrates out of the bloodstream and enters tissues as macrophages. Particularly appears in the lung, spleen, liver, and lymph nodes.

• Count increased by bacterial, viral, and fungal infections; or leukemia.

• Count decreased by chronic illness or anti-inflammatory treatments.

lymphocyte

• Leukocyte and agranulocyte.

• Appears with a nucleus filling most of the cell and a small rim of cytoplasm.

• Second-most abundant leukocyte.

• Several types: B lymphocytes, plasma cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells.

• Count increased by bacterial, viral, and fungal infections; or leukemia.

• Count decreased by immune diseases or anti-inflammatory treatments.

leukemia

• Cancer of the blood-forming tissue in bone marrow and lymphatic tissue.

• Marked by uncontrolled production of immature leukocytes.

• Acute and chronic variants.

iron deficiency anemia

• Type of anemia.

• Insufficient iron in the body prevents the formation of hemoglobin.

• Erythrocytes appear smaller and more pale in color.

sickle cell anemia

• Type of anemia.

• Genetic mutation causes malformation of hemoglobin.

• Erythrocytes appear rigid and sickle-shaped.