Formed Elements in Blood

Erythrocytes: 

• Carry oxygen from your lungs  to the rest of the body & bring carbon dioxide back to the lungs to be exhaled 

• Round, flexible biconcave disks 

• They contain hemoglobin (protein that binds to oxygen) 

• RED in color  

Thrombocytes:

• These are small, colorless cell fragments in blood that make clots. 

• Helps stop bleeding & heals wounds 

• Originate from multipotent marrow stem cells 

• COLORLESS / CLEAR 

Neutrophils: 

• White blood cell / CLEAR in color 

• An important part of the immune system & helps fight infections 

• Boost the response of other immune cells 

Eosinophils: 

• Protects the body from parasites, allergens, foreign bacteria 

• Move to inflamed areas, trap substances killing cells, anti-parasitic 

• PURPLE / PINK color 

Basophils: 

• Also called granulocytes 

• Involved in allergic reactions, infection, and inflammatory response. 

• They come from bone marrow, circulation & maturation 

• LIGHT PINK / LIGHT BLUE to colorless 

Lymphocytes: 

• Small cells w/ large round nucleus 

• Cytoplasm is thin Antibody production, memory B cells, T cells 

• Light blue w/ a dark purple nucleus 

Monocytes: 

• Largest type of white blood cell 

• Have a large kidney-shaped nucleus 

• Involved in phagocytosis, differentiation 

• Use macrophages & dendritic cells 

• Innate & adaptive immunity 

• Blue-gray color 

Megakaryocytes: 

• Largest cells in bone marrow. 

• Found in the lungs & other tissues 

• Help w/ platelet production & hemostasis

• Pink color 

Hemocytoblasts: 

• Involved in pluripotency & mainly found in bone marrow 

• Blood cell production & self renewal through different kinds of cells. 

Phagocytosis:

• Process used to ingest & eliminate foreign particles, like bacteria, or dead or dying cells 

  • 1. Recognition & attachment 

  • 2. Engulfment

  • 3. Formation of phagolysosome 

  • 4. Digesting & degradation 

  • 5. Exocytosis 

Diapedesis: 

• The process where white blood cells move out of the bloodstream & into tissues 

  • 1. Chemotaxis 

  • 2. Rolling 

  • 3. Adhesion 

  • 4. Transmigration 

  • 5. Migration to site of infection or injury