Blood cells

Question 1

safety on collecting blood smear

Answer 1

THIS PRACTICAL REQUIRES COLLECTION OF HUMAN BLOOD.
VOLUNTEERS SHOULD TAKE YOUR OWN BLOOD SAMPLE USING STERILE LANCETS PROVIDED.
PLEASE DISPOSE OF LANCETS IN THE SHARPS CONTAINER.
PLACE ALL DRESSINGS THAT HAVE COME INTO CONTACT WITH BLOOD INTO THE AUTOCLAVE BAGS.

Question 2

How to do blood smear

Answer 2

1. take blood with a sterile lancet
2. drop the blood onto the slide
3. place a second slide on top of the first
4. move the slide to contact the drop and spread it, maintain contact with the bottom slide and move the top slide in one motion to produce the smear
5. then stain the smear
   - add a few drops of ethanol then leave to dry then pour excess on it and wipe this off, then let the slide dry completely
   - add 0.5ml of wright-giemsa stain solution to the slide and make sure that the smear is completely covered with the stain leave this for 1 minute
   - add distilled water to mix with the stain
   - after 1-3 minutes rinse with distilled water and air dry
   - should be a rosy pink colour
   - place a coverslip over it

Question 3

what do basophils do

Answer 3

they display a dark blue/black granules in the cytoplasm and eosinophils have organs granules in the cytoplasm

Question 4

describe neutrophils

Answer 4

They have a segmented, multi-lobed nucleus that may appear like multiple nuclei. Blue appearance with Romanowsky-type stains.
They defend against bacterial or fungal infection, neutralising them via phagocytosis.
They are usually first responders to microbial infection; scavenging and removal of debris. Their activity and death in large numbers forms pus.

Question 5

describe eosinophils

Answer 5

In general, their nucleus is bi-lobed. The cytoplasm is full of granules that assume a characteristic pink-orange color with eosin stain.
They primarily deal with parasitic infections and are also the predominant inflammatory cells in allergic reactions.

Question 6

describe basophils

Answer 6

The nucleus is bi- or tri-lobed, but it is hard to see because of the number of coarse granules that hide it. They are characterized by their large blue granules.
They are chiefly responsible for allergic and antigen response by releasing the chemical histamine causing vasodilation

Question 7

describe lymphocytes

Answer 7

Lymphocytes are distinguished by having a deeply staining nucleus and a relatively small amount of cytoplasm.
Subtypes: B (produce antibodies) and T cells (cell mediated immune defences).

Question 8

Describe monocytes

Answer 8

They have the kidney shaped nucleus and are typically agranulated. They also possess abundant cytoplasm.
Like neutrophils they perform a phagocytotic function, but are much longer lived.
They present pieces of pathogens to T cells so that the pathogens may be recognized again and killed, or so that an antibody response may be mounted.
Release cytokines (e.g. interleukins) and participate in haemostasis (expression of tissue factor).

Question 9

frequency of white blood cells

Answer 9

Neutrophils - 70%
eosinophil - 1.5%
basophil - 0.5%
lymphocyte - 24%
monocyte 4%