LAB 07 HEMATOLOGY

Hematology: Study of blood, which consists of:
- Liquid phase: Plasma
- Cellular phase (formed elements): Whole cells (RBCs and WBCs) and platelets
Use sheep blood for various tests.“Refer to section 13.2 in your textbook” for more thorough discussion.

WBC Differential
- Visualize and quantify different types of white blood cells (WBCs) using a stained blood smear.
- Count 100 cells (25 individually counted by each group member).
- Identify WBC types using resources provided.
Hematocrit
- Ratio of packed RBC volume to total blood volume.
- Draw blood sample using a heparinized capillary tube (anticoagulant) and seal one end with clay.
- Centrifuge the sample to separate blood components.
- Typical hematocrit values:
  - Male: 40-54%
  - Female: 37-47%
RBC Count
- Determine the number of RBCs in 1 mL of whole blood using Ery-TIC dilution system and hemocytometer.
- Steps to measure:
  1. Fill capillary tube with blood and dilute in the provided vial.
  2. Mix and load blood onto hemocytometer.
  3. Count specific squares designated for RBC counting.
- Multiply counts by dilution factor (10,000) for results in millions/mm3.
- Average human RBC Count:
  - Male: 4.5-6.0 mil/mm3
  - Female: 4.0-5.5 mil/mm3
Measurement of Hemoglobin Concentration
- Hemoglobin (Hb): Oxygen-carrying pigment in RBCs.
  - Composed of globin and heme (with iron).
- Normal hemoglobin concentration in adults: 12 gm% to 18 gm% (g/dL).
- Use hemoglobinometer for measurement based on color intensity.

MCV: Measure of the volume of an erythrocyte.
- Calculated as:MCV = Hematocrit x 10 / RBC count
- Average human MCV: 82-92
- Write calculated value for sheep blood sample: ___________________
MCHC: Calculation for hemoglobin concentration relative to hematocrit.
- Calculated as:MCHC = (Hemoglobin (g/dL) x 100) / Hematocrit
- Average human MCHC: 32-36
- Write calculated value for sheep blood sample: ___________________
Causes of anemia include:
- Iron deficiency, vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency, bone marrow disease, hemolytic diseases, blood loss.
- Classification of anemia by MCV and MCHC values:
  - Macrocytic (> 94): folic acid/B12 deficiency
  - Normocytic normochromic: normal MCV, seen in acute blood loss
  - Microcytic hypochromic: low MCV/MCHC, indicates inadequate iron.

Clotting is a complex chemical pathway and activity involving fibrin and platelets.
Use methyl violet stain to visualize fibrin strands under a microscope.
Key process:
- Prothrombin converts to thrombin, leading to conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin.
- Fibrin forms a clot around platelets at injury sites.

Red blood cells have surface markers called antigens (A, B, Rh factors).
Agglutination: Clumping that occurs when blood types mismatch upon mixing:
- A (Type A) has Anti-B antibodies
- B (Type B) has Anti-A antibodies
- O (Type O) has Anti-A and Anti-B antibodies (universal donor)
- AB (Type AB) has no antibodies (universal acceptor)
Blood typing method:
- Prepare a slide with blood samples and respective antibodies (Anti-A, Anti-B, Anti-D).
- Observe for agglutination indicating blood type.