University of Guyana

Faculty of Natural Sciences

Department of Biology

BIO3220 – Animal Physiology

Laboratory Exercise # 4
White Blood Cells.

Name of Student
Naiomi Persaud

Date of Submission:
April 17, 2020

Title: The structure and function of White Blood Cells.

Aim: To investigate the different structures and their functions found within the white blood
cells.

Method:

1. Two clean slides were taken.

2. The ball of the experimenter’s finger was cleaned with 70% alcohol and dried
thoroughly.
3. The ball of the experimenter’s finger was the punctured to approximately a depth of 2mm
with sharp edged sterile needle.
4. Blood was allowed to flow freely out of the wound while the experimenter kept their
finger in a downward position.
5. The blood drop was touched with the end of a clean slide, close to the edge.
6. The slide with the blood smear was placed on the table to dry.
7. The slide was then held firmly with the experimenter’s left hand and placed under the
microscope.
8. The sample was viewed under the microscope for observations.

Materials:

1. 70% Alcohol
2. Sterile needle
3. Blood sample
4. Desk
5. Microscope

Apparatus:

1. Slides (2)
Results:
Discussion:

The purpose of this laboratory experiment was the investigate the different structures and
components found within a blood sample. The human body is reliant on blood to carry out
various biological processes such as homeostasis; specifically, the regulation of the body’s
internal temperature, pH, osmotic pressure. Blood is also responsible for eliminating excess heat
which is important in preventing blood clotting (Randall et al., 1980). This important bodily fluid
is made up primarily of components such as red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and the
plasma. Platelets prevent major blood loss after sustaining injuries by transporting clotting
factors to the site (Randall et al., 1980). White blood cells are responsible for transporting
antigens to infections of presence of bacteria in the human body. Cells such as monocytes,
lymphocytes, neutrophil, eosinophil and basophils work along with white blood cells to make up
the immune response system (Randall et al., 1980). During this laboratory experiment, only the
components of white blood cells were seen under the microscope.
The first structure of the white blood cell to be observed under the microscope is the monocyte.
Monocytes are essential cell structures that are utilized in the body’s innate immune system.
These cells are considered to be the largest type of white blood cells and are able to play this role
by defense from intruding microbial pathogens (Karlmark et al., 2012). Monocytes are made
from the bone marrow where they are formed and is then transported to the blood to serve their
specific functions (Carter, 2016). These types of cells fight off bacteria, viruses and fungi and
acts almost immediately whenever these microorganisms enter the body. Monocytes are also
able to change their form known as macrophages; this occurs so the cell can easily engulf these
harmful microbes and, breaks these organisms down by specific enzymes (Carter, 2016).
Monocytes are also responsible for the development of diseases such as liver fibrosis,
atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and tumor metastasis when their cells are reprogrammed by
these viruses and bacteria (Karlmark et al., 2012).

The second structure of the white blood cell to be observed under the microscope is the
Eosinophil. Eosinophils can be described as specialized cells of the immune system and is
comprised of a bilobed nucleus, cytoplasm and numerous granules which contains enzymes and
proteins (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, n.d.). These cells are also formed in the
bone marrow where they take approximately eight days to mature before being released into the
blood. Eosinophils are responsible for organ formation, numerous inflammatory processes such
as allergic disorders, movement to inflamed areas, trapping substances, killing cells, anti-
parasitic and bactericidal activity and modulating inflammatory responses.  Eosinophils are also
responsible for the development of diseases such as erythema toxicum, Loeffler's disease and
idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, n.d.).

The third structure of the white blood cell to be observed under the microscope is the neutrophil.
Neutrophil are essential cell structures that are found within the first line of defense in the innate
arm of the immune system (Rosales, 2018). These cells are also considered the most dominant
and make up for approximately sixty percent of white blood cells found in leukocytes.
Neutrophils are also responsible for ridding the body of harmful microbes by phagocytosis and
are also mediators of inflammation (Rosales, 2018). A normal neutrophil count for humans
should range between 2500 and 7500 neutrophils per microliter of blood. This range of
neutrophils in the blood increases significantly when the body is fighting an infection (Eldridge,
2019). The bone marrow helps in the increased production of these cells. A low neutrophil count
could be a sign of disease inclusive of leukemia, infections and vitamin B12 deficiency
(Eldridge, 2019).

The fourth structure of the white blood cell to be observed under the microscope is the
lymphocytes. Lymphocytes also function in the body’s immune response system; they are able to
work as a single cell or coordinate with other cells, to perform essential functions for the body
(Arrington, 2015). These cells can be categorized into three main types namely T cells, B cells
and natural killer cells. T cells are made in the thymus gland and is comprised of a specialized T-
cell receptor molecule that is located on the surface of the cell. These receptor molecules are
responsible for recognizing antigens and binding to them (Arrington, 2015). B cells are made in
the bone marrow like the cells namely monocytes and eosinophils. These cells are comprised of a
protein on their surface known as the B-cell receptor which is also able to recognize and attach to
specific antigens (Arrington, 2015). Lastly, natural killer cell lymphocytes are cytotoxic which
gives them the ability to kill other cells around them. These cells are able to recognize bacterial
and viral infected cells and destroy them before they replicate (Arrington, 2015).

The fifth structure of the white blood cell to be observed under the microscope is the basophil.
Basophils are a type of white blood cells that are also referred to as granulocytes, named so for
their rough and purple appearance under the microscope. Basophils are also active in defending
the immune response system especially the inflammatory response (Baron, 2015). These cells
can be found predominantly in the skin and mucosa tissues. They are considered to least
component of the white blood cells and make up for 1% of white blood cells count (Baron,
2015). Basophils are granules that is comprised of histamine and are considered intermediate in
size with reference to the other two classes of granulocytes (Takizawa, n.d.). Basophils differ in
comparison to eosinophils and neutrophils in that they are not phagocytes. These cells
degranulate to perform their immune function (Takizawa, n.d.).

Conclusion
It can be concluded based on the observations of the white blood cells under the microscope that
these specialized cells are responsible for the immune response system. These cells were also
found to contain multiples structure responsible for engulfing viruses and bacteria and destroying
these infected cells throughout the human body.
References
Arrington, D. (2015). Lymphocytes: Definition, Functions & Types - Video & Lesson Transcript
| Study.com. https://study.com/academy/lesson/lymphocytes-definition-functions-types.html
Baron, A. (2015). Basophils: Definition & Function - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com.
https://study.com/academy/lesson/basophils-definition-function.html
Carter, L. (2016). What Are Monocytes? - Definition, Function & Blood Test - Video & Lesson
Transcript | Study.com. Study.Com. https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-are-monocytes-
definition-function-blood-test.html
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. (n.d.). What is an Eosinophil? | Definition &
Function | CCED. Retrieved April 17, 2020, from
https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/c/eosinophilic-disorders/conditions/eosinophil
Eldridge, L. (2019). Neutrophils Function and Abnormal Results. 1–16.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-neutrophils-p2-2249134
Karlmark, K., Tacke, F., & Dunay, I. (2012). Monocytes in health and disease — Minireview.
European Journal of Microbiology and Immunology, 2(2), 97–102.
https://doi.org/10.1556/eujmi.2.2012.2.1
Randall, D., Burggren, W., & French, K. (1980). ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY MECHANISMS AND
ADAPTATIONS. 8(4), 417–426. https://doi.org/10.1111/1540-6229.00227
Rosales, C. (2018). Neutrophil: A cell with many roles in inflammation or several cell types? In
Frontiers in Physiology (Vol. 9, Issue FEB, p. 113). Frontiers Media S.A.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.00113
Takizawa, P. (n.d.). Basophil. Retrieved April 17, 2020, from
http://medcell.med.yale.edu/histology/blood_bone_marrow_lab/basophil.php