University of San Jose - Recoletos

College of Arts and Sciences

ACTIVITY NO. 10
VASCULAR TISSUE
INTRODUCTION

The blood is a fluid tissue consisting of RBC, WBC, and platelets suspended in a blood plasma. It circulates in the
vascular system, transporting oxygen from the lungs, nutrients from the digestive tract to other tissues
throughout the body and carrying carbon dioxide to the lungs, and nitrogenous waste products to the kidneys
for excretion. The blood also plays essential role in the integrative function of the endocrine system by
distributing hormones from their sites of production to their distant target organs.

OBJECTIVES

1. Distinguish the different structure of blood cells and contrast their uses in the body
2. Identify and draw types identify RBC, WBC, and platelets

MATERIALS

Compound microscope
Prepared slides of human and frog blood smears

PROCEDURE
For the study of vascular tissue, the blood smear of frog and man will be used. Note the histological
differences seen between the two blood smears. Borrow from the counter slides of human and frog blood
smears and examine using HPO. Draw the cells on your worksheet.
A. Red blood corpuscles (RBC) or Erythrocytes
These cells are biconcave when viewed at the sides and be more numerous than white blood cells.
The cytoplasm appears reddish or orange pink in color with a small lighter central area. Mature red
blood cells of man are non-nucleated and number about 3.5 to 5 million per cubic mm. of blood. For
the frog’s RBC, cells are oval with a centrally located nucleus. Illustrate few cells and compare it with
human red blood corpuscles.

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University of San Jose - Recoletos
College of Arts and Sciences

B. White Blood Cells (WBC) or Leucocytes

They are mobile nucleated cells and without any hemoglobin content. The primary function of the
WBC is to protect the body against foreign organism. They number from 5,000 to 10,000 per cubic
mm. of blood. Identify the cells based on the characteristics of the cells. Draw the cells on your
worksheet.

Leucocytes are sub-divided into granular and non-granular:

1. Granular Leucocytes
These are also called granulocytes. These cells are having lobed or segmented nuclei and the
cytoplasm contains specific staining granules. The granulocytes are further divided into:
a. Neutrophil – the most numerous granulocytes. The granules take both acidic and basic dyes;
hence they appear lilac or purple in color in stained specimens. The nucleus shows 2-5, lobes,
which are connected by slender filaments of nuclear materials.
b. Eosinophil – has two lobules in the nucleus and large granules in the cytoplasm. Together
with neutrophil, it is considered as one of the most recognizable cells in man. Eosinophil has
a horseshoe-shaped two lobed nucleus make them easy to identify. This cell attacks, engulfs
antibody-marked bacteria, protozoa or cellular debris. Their number increases during a
parasitic infection or an allergic reaction.
c. Basophil – has nucleus twisted like a letter S with large but fewer granules in the cytoplasm.
The granules are not as numerous as in eosinophil but are more variable in size. The cell is
rare less than 1 percent of the circulating WBC population. It migrates to site of injury and
releases the granules that contain chemicals heparin and histamine. Be able to know the uses
of these chemicals.

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University of San Jose - Recoletos
College of Arts and Sciences

2. Non-granular leucocytes or Agranulocytes

These are blood cells that do not contain granules in the cytoplasm and the nucleus is never
divided.
a. Lymphocyte – The smallest of the WBC with a nucleus almost occupying the entire cell
resulting to a scanty cytoplasm. Lymphocyte is the cell of lymphatic system and provides
defense against specific pathogen or toxins.
b. Monocyte – The largest agranular leucocyte. The nucleus varies from round or oval to
indented bean-shaped. This white blood cell enters tissues to become macrophages and
engulf pathogens or debris.
c. Platelet or Thrombocyte – The smallest of the formed elements. It has irregular masses of
basophil cytoplasm. They are involved in the clotting of blood at sites of injury in blood vessels
and protect the organism against excessive loss of blood.

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University of San Jose - Recoletos
College of Arts and Sciences

LABORATORY WORKSHEET TOTAL SCORE:

ACTIVITY NO. 10
AVASCULAR TISSUE
Name: _______________________________________________ Date: ____________________

Instructions:
A. Draw your observed images of the following: (40 points)

________________________ ________________________
____________ ____________

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University of San Jose - Recoletos
College of Arts and Sciences

Granular Leucocytes

________________________ ________________________ ________________________

____________ ____________ ____________

Non-granular leucocytes or Agranulocytes

________________________ ________________________ ________________________

____________ ____________ ____________

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University of San Jose - Recoletos
College of Arts and Sciences

POST LABORATORY QUESTIONS

ACTIVITY NO. 10
AVASCULAR TISSUE

1. Identify major differences between the frog blood and the human blood. (10 points)

2. Discuss briefly the mechanism of blood clotting. (10 points)

General Zoology Laboratory 54