MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY BLOOD CELLS March 1, 2011

BLOOD Connective tissue Amount: – 1/12th of body weight – 5-6 liters Content: – 55% plasma = liquid – 45% cells

Functions – Hemoglobin in erythrocytes carries oxygen and collects carbon dioxide – conveys nutritive substances (e.g. amino acids, sugars, mineral salts) – gathers the excreted material for elimination by kidney – carries hormones, enzymes and vitamins – IMMUNE DEFENSE PHAGOCITIC ACTIVITY OF THE LEUKOCYTES THE BACTERICIDAL POWER OF THE SERUM IMMUNE RESPONSE OF LYMPHOCYTES

CATEGORIES OF BLOOD CELLS Erythrocytes = red blood cells (RBC) Leukocytes = white blood cells (WBC) Platelets or thrombocytes

LEUKOCYTES: THE DEFENDERS Two types – Granulocytes: in cytoplasm have different kinds of granules that take up stains different colors Neutrophil Eosinophil basophil – lymphoid cells lymphocytes monocytes even the shape of the nucleus helps in recognition of leukocytes

LEUKOCYTE TYPES Neutrophil = % eosinophil = % basophil = % lymphocyte = % monocyte %

NEUTROPHILS Phagocitize bacteria

EOSINOPHILS Attack parasites and phagocytic- antigen complexes

BASOPHIL secrete anti-coagulant and vasodilatory substances as histamines and serotonin mediate the hypersensitivity reaction.

LYMPHOCYTE populate lymphoid tissues Present lymph circulating in lymphatic vessels B cell and T cell lymphocytes

MONOCYTES AND MACROPHAGES Monocyte = precursor of macrophage Phagocytic and secretory Antigen-presenting cells

LAB TODAY Prepare smears of your own peripheral blood Clean lab space with alcohol Clean 2 slides with alcohol – air dry Lay down paper towel Sterilize finger with alcohol Prick finger to obtain blood Place small amount(3 mm) of blood on slide

LAB TODAY – PREPARE SLIDE SMEARS Hold 2 nd slide at angle Draw 2 nd slide into edge of drop as shown Move slide in opposite direction~ ½ way across and lift up swiftly

PREPARING SLIDES GOAL = thick to thin layer of blood so can find right amount of cells to look at. Clean 2 nd slide with ethanol Repeat process to make duplicate slide Label end with initials Air dry

EXTRA BLOOD CELL SLIDES FOLLOW

The white cells are: 1) neutrophil, 2) monocyte, 3) basophil, 4) lymphocyte, 5) eosinophil. The background shows some erythrocytes (red blood cells) which have no nucleus.

Lymphocyte and monocyte

WBC: Granulocytes Human, air-dried blood smear, Wright's stain, 1416 x.