Structure & Function of blood cells

Question 1

List steps involved with looking at blood cells in microscope

Answer 1

1. Get some blood
2. Don’t let it clot; Put it in a tube with EDTA in it
3. Put a drop on a slide
4. Use another slide to spread the blood out
5. Let it dry
6. Stain it with “wright-giemsa” stain

Question 2

What chemical is in a test tube prior to putting blood in it? What is the purpose

Answer 2

EDTA, necessary to prevent blood from clotting in test tube

Question 3

When examining blood under a microscope, where is the best location to view it on a slide?

Answer 3

Want to look at slide close to the edge of the smear (shown in oval below.) If you look too far out, cells look flat. Too far in, cells are all clumped together

Question 4

List properties of Eosin. Describe what Eosin stain will bind to

Answer 4

Eosin is:

(aromatic/acidic), -charged, soluble in ethanol NOT water

Since it is -charged, it will bind to hydrophobic basic ( +charged) compounds, i.e. hemoglobin.

Eosinophil = “like eosin”

Question 5

List properties of Methylene blue. Describe what methylene blue stain will bind to

Answer 5

Methylene blue is:

aromatic/basic, +charged, soluble in water or methanol

Since it is basic (+charged), it will bind to hydrophobic acidic macromoleclues (i.e. nucleic acids, some proteins)

Basophil = “like basic shit” i.e. basic bitches

Question 6

Eosinophil count elevated in?

Answer 6

Allergic reactions

Parasitic infections

neoplastic processes (to be discussed later)