Blood Cells- Functions of Leukocytes Flashcards
Where are RBCs produced ?
In heamatopoietic tissue of bone marrow
What blood disorders exist ? Which other disorders cause changes in the blood ?
- Leukaemia and anaemia
- Iron deficiency anaemia and malignancy
What are the components of blood ?
Erythrocytes, leucocytes, plasma, platelets
What is the buffy coat ?
Layer made of leukocytes and platelets after blood centrifugation (middle layer, with erythrocytes below and plasma above)
What are immature erythrocytes called ? For how long ?
Reticulocytes. For 24-48 hours
What is the percentage of reticulocytes as part of RBCs?
1-2%
How come we can stain reticulocytes ?
Because they retain small amounts of RNA which can be stained using cresyl violet or methylene blue
What is the clinical significance of reticulocytes ?
Their lifespan is very short so their number gives information on activity of bone marrow (a high number indicates high erythrocyte production in the bone marrow, possible due to haemorrhage or anaemia).
What happens when a patient with vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia is given vitamin B12 treatment ?
Reticulocytes increase at first showing increase erythrocyte production, then they decrease as they mature into erythrocytes.
What are the important units when comparing reticulocyte and RBS number ?
Percentage of retics as part of erythrocytes, haemoglobin “normal value” concentration and RBC concentration
What values does a haematology report give you ?
Count of RBCs, WBCs (neutrophils, leucocytes etc;), platelets
What are the different types of leucocytes ?
Granulocytes (Basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils)
Monocytes
Lymphocytes
What is the differential cell count ?
Proportion of different leucocytes in the blood
Which leucocyte groups are part of the innate immune system ? adaptive immune system ?
Innate immune system: granulocytes
Adaptive immune system: Lymphocyte and monocytes
What is the appearance of neutrophils ?
Multi-lobed nucleus