1. Composition of Blood

2. Erythrocytes Most abundant cell in the body
Number of circulating RBCs in peripheral venous blood
Derived from erthroblasts
Survive 120 days/Bioconcave
RBC values vary according to gender and age
Women lower, tend to decrease with age
Decreased by more than 10% = anemia
Primary function: tissue oxygenation

3. Erythrocyte indices Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)

4. MCV Mean volume of all the erythrocytes counted in the sample
MCV low = microcytic
Norm MCV = normocytic
MCV high = macrocytic

5. Normocytic Iron deficiency (detected early) Chronic illness
Acute blood loss
Aplastic anemia
Acquired hemolytic anemia
(from a prosthetic cardiac valve)

6. Microcytic
Iron deficiency (detected late)
Thalassemia
Lead poisoning

7. Macrocytic Vitamin B 12 or folic acid deficiency Chemotherapy
Myeloid leukemia
Ethanol toxicity
Thyroid dysfunction

8. MCH
Measure of the average amount of weight of hemoglobin within an RBC
Macrocytic anemias: the MCHC is increased if the size of the RBC is large
Microcytic anemia, hypochromic anemia: the MCH is decreased if the size of the RBC is small of the hemoglobin is diminished

9. MCHC
Mean concentration of hemoglobin in the red cell. Since whole blood is about one-half cells by volume, and all the hemoglobin is confined to the cells, you would correctly expect the MCHC to be roughly twice the value of hemoglobin in whole blood

10. White Blood Cells (Leukocytes)
Granulocytes
Neutrophil
Eosinophil
Basophil
Mast cells
Agranulocytes
Monocyte
Lymphocyte

12. Neutrophil
Circulate for about 8 hours before proceeding to the tissues, where they live for about a week
Most numerous, 55%
Produced as a response to acute body stress
Infection
Infarction
Trauma
Emotional distress
Phagocytosis invaders
Foreign cells
Toxins
Viruses

13. Neutrophils..
Found near sites of infection or injury where they will stick to the walls of the blood vessels and engulf any foreign particles that try to enter the bloodstream
Found in the pus of wounds
Band neutrophils
Indicator of acute stress
Segmented neutrophils
Most mature type

14. Eosinophil Derived from different stem cells
Hallmark = presence of bright orange large granules
Ameboid movement = phagocytosis
Seen at sites:
Invasive parasitic infestations
Allergic (immediate hypersensitivity) response (IgE)
Critical function:
Inactive slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis
Neutralize histamine
Inhibit mast cell degranulation

15. Mast Cells Central cell in inflammation
Found in vascularized connective tissue

16. Basophils Large deep purple granules Precise function not understood
Contain histamines (causes vasodilation)
Heparin (anticoagulant)
High number of these cells:
Hemolytic anemia
Chicken pox

17. Lymphocytes In the immune/inflammatory response:
Neutrophils and monocytes are the brutes
Major cells of immune system
Lymphocytes are the brains
“bubble-boy”
T-lymphocytes:
Act against virus infected cells and tumor cells
AIDS keep a careful watch on their T-cell level, an indicator of the AIDs virus’ activity
B-lymphocytes:
Produce antibodies

18. Natural Killer Natural killer (NK) cells
Kill tumor cells and virally infected cells
Procedure cytokines involved in immune responses

19. Monocyte Largest of the leukocytes
Phagocytic and defend the body against viruses and bacteria
Elevated cell count:
Malaria
Endocarditis
Typhoid fever
Rocky Mountain spotted fever

20. Thrombocytes Platelets Disk-shaped cytoplasmic fragments
Formed by fragmentation of megakaryocytes
Secrete a hormone called serotonin which constricts torn blood vessels
Essential for blood coagulation and control of bleeding
Live 10 days and then removed by spleen