Normal Blood Cell Morphology Types of White Blood

Normal Blood Cell Morphology

Types of White Blood Cells • White blood cells — AKA: Leukocytes or WBCs — Largest sized blood cells — Lowest numbers in the blood (4, 500 – 11, 000 per microliter) — Formed in the bone marrow and some in the lymph glands — Primary cells of the immune system — Fights disease and foreign invaders http: //ww w. giantmicr obes. com/u s/products/ whiteblood cell. html

Types of White Blood Cells • White blood cells — Contain nuclei with DNA, the shape depends on the type of cell — Certain WBCs produce antibodies — Life span is from 24 hours to several years —Size is 8 -20 micrometers — There are five different types of WBCs 1) Neutrophils 2) Eosinophils 3) Basophils 4) Lymphocytes 5) Monocytes http: //ww w. giantmicr obes. com/u s/products/ whiteblood cell. html

Types of White Blood Cells • Leukocytes can be divided into two groups. 1) Granulocytes — Contain granules; inclusions in their cytoplasm — Usually have lobulated or segmented nuclei — Neutrophils — Basophils — Eosinophils 2) Agranulocytes — Do not contain granules — Do not have lobulated or segmented nuclei — Monocytes — Lymphocytes

Types of White Blood Cells • Neutrophils (AKA: PMNs, Polys, Segs) — Account for the highest amount of WBCs [~60%] — Fight off bacterial invaders — Fight off fungal invaders — Take part in phagocytosis • Neutrophils look like…. . — Nucleus is divided into 2 to 5 segments and stains dark purple (multi-lobed nucleus) — Cytoplasm is pale pink to tan with fine pink-purple granules — 10 -15 micrometers in diameter —Mature form = segmented (segs); Nucleus has 2 -5 lobes — Immature form = band (bands); no segments in nucleus — Bands are normal in the peripheral blood in low numbers 0 -5% • When did you see them? — High numbers during bacterial infections and inflammation

Types of White Blood Cells • Eosinophils (AKA: Eos) — Fight off parasitic worm and flukes — Important in allergic reactions — ~ 3 % of WBCs in the blood • Eosinophils look like…. . — Nucleus is divided into 2 segments — Cytoplasm is pale pink to tan with large orange and red granules — 10 -15 micrometers in diameter • When did you see them? — High numbers with parasitic infections — Higher numbers in allergic reactions

Types of White Blood Cells • Basophils — Releases histamine in response to an allergic reaction — Seen with inflammation — Lowest number of WBCs in blood [<1%] • Basophils look like…. . — Nucleus has 2 lobes that stains purple and is difficult to see — Cytoplasm is pale pink –tan but contains large purple/blue-black granules — 10 -15 micrometers in diameter • When did you see them? — High numbers during allergic reactions — High numbers during inflammatory reactions

Types of White Blood Cells • Monocyte — Search for bacteria and viruses — Participate in phagocytosis — Largest of the white blood cells — ~ 6 % of WBCs in the blood • Monocytes look like…. . — Singular nucleus (convoluted shape); kidney shaped, bean shaped, or horseshoe shaped with a deep indentation — Stains a blue-gray color with “ground glass” cytoplasm, tiny granules — Vacuoles are sometimes present — 12 -20 micrometers in diameter • When did you see them? — High numbers during bacterial and viral infections

Types of White Blood Cells • Lymphocyte — Fight viral infections — Some produce and secrete antibodies — 2 nd most common WBC in blood — ~ 30 % of WBCs in the blood • Lymphocytes look like…. . — Large, dark staining nucleus, round or oval — Little to no cytoplasm, blue in color — Occasional purple-reddish granules — About the size of a RBC — 8 -15 micrometers in diameter — Smallest nucleated cell in peripheral circulation • When did you see them? — High numbers during viral infections — High and atypical form during infectious mononucleosis

Platelets • Platelets (AKA: Thrombocytes or PLTs) — Formed from the fragments of a megakaryocyte — Not considered a WBC — Function in hemostasis — Platelets are found in the peripheral blood —Megakaryocytes are found in the bone marrow • Platelets look like…. . — Small about 2 -3 micrometers in diameter — Fragments — Stains bluish and usually contains small reddish-purple granules — Oval or round but can have spiny projections —Normal is between 7 -20 per field

Red Blood Cells • Red Blood Cells (AKA: Erythrocytes of RBCs) — Normal sized (oval or round) = called normocytic — If the RBC color is normal = called normochromic