Exam 1: NLMEB stuff Flashcards
What is the relative normal % of neutrophils?
50 – 70%
What does an abnormally high amount of neutrophils indicate?
- bacterial infections (typically within the range of 85 – 90%)
- stress
- burns. trauma
What is the relative normal % of lymphocytes?
18 – 42%
What does an abnormally high amount of lymphocytes indicate?
viral infections
What is the relative normal % of monocytes?
2 – 11%
What does an abnormally high amount of monocytes indicate?
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- severe infections
What is the relative normal % of eosinophils?
0 – 4%
or 1 – 3%
What does an abnormally high amount of eosinophils indicate?
- parasites
- allergies
- asthma
What is the relative normal % of basophils?
0 – 2%
What does an abnormally high amount of basophils indicate?
- immediate hypersensitivity reactions
- CML patients
- asthma attack
List the granulocytes.
- Neutrophils
- Eosinophils
- Basophils
What is the normal range of segmented neutrophils?
50 – 70%
How big are segmented neutrophils?
About 10 – 16 microns
What is the lifespan of segmented neutrophils?
About 7 hours
Describe the nucleus of segmented neutrophils.
- dark purple
- typically 2 – 5 segmented lobes
Describe the cytoplasm of segmented neutrophils.
- light pink/neutral color
- has secondary granules
- has lysosomes, myeloperoxidase
What are the 3 steps of phagocytosis?
- Migration
- Opsonization
- Phagocytosis
What is involved in the migration step of phagocytosis?
- chemoattractants
- chemotaxis
- diapedesis
What are chemoattractants?
- responsible for attracting neutrophils
- involved in the migration step of phagocytosis
What is chemotaxis?
- movement toward bacteria
- involved in the migration step of phagocytosis
What is diapedesis?
- ability of neutrophils to squeeze through lining cells
- involved in the migration step of phagocytosis
What happens in opsonization?
- bacteria (or fungi, etc.) is coated with immunoglobulins and/or complement
- once coated: the neutrophils recognize receptors and attach (like lock and key)
Fun fact: The term “opsonin” is Greek for ___.
“prepare for dining”
**What are the 2 ways in which phagocytosis occurs?
- oxygen-dependent mode
2. non-oxygen-dependent mode
**What happens during the oxygen-dependent mode of phagocytosis?
- releases NADPH oxidase
- respiratory burst
- check dis equation:
superoxide & hydrogen peroxide
+ myeloperoxidase
= bleach (hypochlorous acid)
**What happens during the non-oxygen-dependent mode of phagocytosis?
- change in pH
- release of lysomal and proteolytic enzymes
What is the normal range of banded neutrophils?
0 – 5%
Describe the cytoplasm of banded neutrophils.
the same as segmented neutrophils lol
What does an abnormally high amount of neutrophils indicate?
increased levels (ex: 15%) indicate the same as elevated segs would, except with more severity
How big are eosinophils?
About 13 microns
Describe the nucleus of eosinophils.
- mostly bi-lobed
- dark purple
Describe the cytoplasm of eosinophils.
- orange granules, which contain:
# histamine
# MBP
# NO lysosomes**What does MBP mean?
Major Basic Protein
Explain the stability of eosinophil levels.
Eosinophils undergo diurnal variation.
Diurnal variation: increased levels at night, decreased levels in the morning
How big are basophils?
About 10 microns
Describe the nucleus of basophils.
- bi-lobed, but heavily covered with dark blue/purple granules which contain:
# heparin
# histamineWhat is difficult about the granules of basophils?
Their granules are water-soluble.
The granules can wash away, thus making it more difficult to identify.
Explain the stability of basophil levels.
Basophils undergo diurnal variation.
Diurnal variation: increased levels at night, decreased levels in the morning
Explain immediate hypersensitivity reactions.
- example: anaphylactic seizure
- indicated by increased basophil levels
Explain CML.
- Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
- indicated by very increased basophil levels
Explain asthma attack (severe).
- indicated by increased basophil levels
- acute one or really intense chronic one
List the non-granulocytes.
- Lymphocytes
2. Monocytes
What is the normal range of lymphocytes in adults?
20 – 44%
What is the normal range of lymphocytes in children?
25 – 55%
Why is the normal range of lymphocytes higher in children than they are in adults?
This is because the immune system is still developing in children.
How big are lymphocytes?
- about 7 – 10 microns (mostly)
- about the same size as RBCs
Describe the nucleus of lymphocytes.
chromatin is clumped
Describe the cytoplasm of lymphocytes.
- pale blue
- NO granules
What is the N:C ratio of lymphocytes?
4 : 1
Nucleus takes up a majority of cell space
What is the lifespan of lymphocytes?
- some can live for years
- think of the memory cells
What might reactive lymphocytes indicate?
Infectious mononucleosis
How big are monocytes?
About 14 – 20 microns
Describe the nucleus of monocytes.
kidney-bean shape
Describe the cytoplasm of monocytes.
- dull, gray-blue color
- has fine red granules
# ground glass appearance - DOES have vacuoles
What other cells can monocytes be mistaken for?
They can be mistaken for large lymphocytes.
To differentiate between them:
- Check cytoplasm (a little more transparent in lymphs)
- Lymphs are indented by RBCs whereas monos are not
