Blood Composition and Cell Differentiation

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Questions and Answers

What component of blood represents the matrix?

  • Blood platelets
  • Red blood corpuscles
  • Plasma (correct)
  • White blood cells

Which type of leukocytes includes neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils?

  • Red blood corpuscles
  • Agranular leukocytes
  • Granular leukocytes (correct)
  • Platelets

What is the average lifespan of red blood corpuscles?

  • 90-100 days
  • 70-80 days
  • 130-150 days
  • 100-120 days (correct)

What is the primary function of hemoglobin in red blood corpuscles?

<p>Gas exchange (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What staining method is commonly used to differentiate blood cells?

<p>Giemsa's stain (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which constituent of red blood corpuscles is responsible for their flexibility?

<p>Cytoskeleton (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the corpuscular volume does hemoglobin occupy in red blood corpuscles?

<p>33% (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of leukocyte is absent of granules?

<p>Lymphocyte (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic shape do red blood corpuscles have that increases their surface area for gas exchange?

<p>Biconcave (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical count range for red blood corpuscles in females?

<p>4.5-5 million/mm3 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Blood Composition

Blood is a connective tissue composed of plasma (the matrix) and formed elements (cells).

Formed Blood Elements

The cells within blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Red Blood Cells (RBCs)

Responsible for oxygen transport due to hemoglobin; have a biconcave shape.

RBC Shape

Biconcave discs maximizing surface area for gas exchange.

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RBC Nucleus

RBCs lack a nucleus to maximize space for hemoglobin.

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Hemoglobin

Protein in RBCs that binds oxygen and carbon dioxide.

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RBC Life Span

Approximately 100-120 days, after which they are removed by the spleen and liver.

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Blood Smear Staining

Used to differentiate different blood cells based on nucleus and cytoplasmic granules color.

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Blood Count

Indicates the average number of formed elements in a blood sample per unit volume; vital for diagnosis.

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RBC Count Average

5-5.5 million/mm³ in males; 4.5-5 million/mm³ in females.

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Study Notes

Blood Composition and Structure

  • Blood is a specialized connective tissue composed of plasma (the matrix) and formed elements (the cells).
  • It lacks fibers.
  • Formed elements include red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets.
  • WBCs are further categorized into granular (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils) and agranular (lymphocytes, monocytes).

Blood Cell Differentiation

  • Giemsa stain (methylene blue + eosin) is used to differentiate blood cells based on their nuclei and cytoplasmic granules.
    • Basophilic (violet)
    • Eosinophilic (pink)
    • Azurophilic (red-purple)

Blood Counts

  • Blood counts determine the average number of formed elements per cubic millimeter of blood.
    • RBC count
    • Total leukocytic count
    • Platelet count
    • Differential leukocytic count (percentage of each white blood cell type).
  • Normal RBC counts:
    • Males: 5-5.5 million/mm³
    • Females: 4.5-5 million/mm³
  • Lifespan of RBCs: 100-120 days. Old/deformed RBCs are removed by macrophages in the spleen and liver.

Red Blood Cell (RBC) Characteristics

  • Structure (LM): Biconcave discs, 7.2-7.8 µm diameter (fits smallest capillaries), no nucleus, hemoglobin (33% volume) concentrated peripherally
  • Structure (EM): Membranous electron dense biconcave discs, no organelles, no nucleus.
  • RBC Membrane:
    • Outer glycocalyx: Responsible for blood grouping.
    • Inner cytoskeleton: composed of microfilaments (actin & spectrin), anchored to membrane proteins (ankyrin), enables flexibility.
  • Adaptation to function:
    • Biconcave shape: Increases surface area (20-30%) for gas exchange.
    • Lack of nucleus/organelles: Maximizes hemoglobin carrying capacity.
    • Peripheral hemoglobin concentration: Facilitates oxygen/carbon dioxide binding.
    • Cytoskeleton structure: Allows RBCs to navigate narrow capillaries.
    • Selective membrane permeability: Enhances gas diffusion during exchange.

Function of Red Blood Cells

  • Contain hemoglobin for gas exchange.

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