cell & tissue biology laboratory exercise 6: blood block

8/14/2019 Cell & Tissue Biology Laboratory Exercise 6: Blood Block

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Cell & TissueCell & Tissue

BiologyBiologyLaboratory Exercise 6:Laboratory Exercise 6:

BloodBloodBlock Two, 2009Block Two, 2009


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Slide 5 peripheral blood,Giemsa

1. Some of the RBCs have a pale staining center, why?

Because there is less cellular material in this part.

1. What is the function of the erythrocytes biconcave shape?

It increases the surface-to-volume ratio for increased gas exchange.

1. What cytoskeleton elements maintain the erythrocytes shape?

Actin, ankyrin, and spectrin

1. What does the effect of the missing nucleus have on the life span of the erythrocyte?

It has a limited lifespan of 120 days.

1. Based on what youve learned about the functions of erythrocytes, what conditions

might produce the preature release of reticulocytes from the bone marrow into the

peripheral blood?

Hemorrhage, anemia, and increased altitude.


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NeutrophilNeutrophil

Neutrophils are approximately 10 m

in diameter. Also note the unstained

cytoplasm of the neutrophils.

Neutrophilic granules do not stainwith either acidic or basic dyes.

If the blood sample on your slide was

from a female, one of the nuclear

lobes may have a drumstick-shaped

nuclear appendage.

1. List two substances within the non-

specific and specific granules of

neutrophils?

Non-specific:Non-specific: acidic hydrolyases,

lysozyme & other enzymes

Specific:Specific: alkaline phosphatase,

aminopeptidase & collagenase

1. What is the nuclear appendage in

female neutrophils?

Barr bodies

1. What are known functions ofneutrophils?

They are microphages kill

bacteria / parasites through

phagocytosis. They also initiate

the inflammatory response.


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EosinophilsEosinophils

Eosinophils make up ~1-4% of the

WBC population. They are slighly

larger than neutrophils and have

reddish (eosinophilic) granules within

their cytoplasm. Their cytoplasm

should be darker red or orange

compared to that of RBCs.

A bi-lobed nucleus is a characteristic

feature of eosinophils The specific

(secondary) granules contain major

basic protein (MBP) and other basic

proteins that combat parasites.

Eosinophils function outside of the

circulation in which tissues? Why are

they in the tissue space rather than in

the blood vessels?

Found in the dermis and the

connective tissue components of

the respiratory tree, GI tract,

and uterus & vagina. They are

found in the tissues because

thats where the microorganisms

are they need to fight.

1. List the functions of eosinophils.

Kill parasites

Phagocytose Ab:Ag complexes

Secrete leukotrienes for the

inflammatory response.


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BasophilsBasophils

Basophils make up


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Slide 6 bone marrow, Wright

1. What is the function of platelets?

They are involved in blood clot

formation.

1. How many nuclei are present in

platelets?

zero.

PlateletsPlatelets

Look between the RBCs and you will

see fine dark particles, which will

look like debris. These purple specks

are platelets and may occur singly or

in small groups.

Platelets are also called thrombocytes.

Thrombocytopenia is a condition in

which there is an abnormally small

number of platelets in the peripheral

blood.

1. What do you suppose is the principal

symptom of thrombocytopenia?

Excessive bleeding.


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Slide 6 bone marrow, Wright

1. How many nuclei are present in

megakaryocytes?

one.

MegakaryocyteMegakaryocyte

This is a VERY large cell (~100 m

in diameter) with a lobed nucleus.

cell & tissue biology laboratory exercise 6: blood block

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