03-05 - The walls have been breached!

What's waiting
in the blood?

Objective:
 To state the main components of the blood
 To outline the roles that these components undertake
 To safely use a microscope to identify at least two components of a blood sample
 To describe the adaptations of blood cells to their purposes
 To explain the likely health of a blood sample and evaluate the strengths and
weaknesses of the claim and the technique chosen

Key words:

Leucocyte : a white blood cell

granulocytes: a type of white blood cell or leucocyte (including neutrophils, eosinophils,
basophils and mast cells)

mononuclear leucocytes: a type of white blood cell or leucocyte (lymphocytes, monocytes,

macrophages and dendritic cells)
Clot / clotting
Scab
Fibrinogen - soluble protein in the blood
Fibrin - insoluble protein formed from fibrinogen that form fibres like a net

Demo: I've had an accident! What happens next?

What's in our blood?

Com Image Outline what it is
pone
nt
Plas an ionized gas consisting of
ma positive ions and
free electrons in proportion
s resulting in more or less
no overall electric charge,
typically at low pressures
(as in the upper atmosphere
and in fluorescent lamps)
or at very high
temperatures (as in stars
and nuclear
fusion reactors).
Describe its function Suggest how it Explain its function and any
might have a role in adaptations
protecting us from
pathogenic
microbes
The main role of Plasma is the liquid Plasma consists mainly of
plasma is to take component of water, proteins and clotting
nutrients, hormones, blood, making up substances. Thanks to clotting
and proteins to the about 55% of total agents, plasma, together with
parts of the body that blood volume. platelets, performs an
need it. Cells also put essential function – it
their waste products promotes the healing of
into the plasma. The damage blood vessels and
plasma then helps stops bleeding
remove this waste
from the body. Blood
plasma also carries all
parts of the blood
through your
circulatory system.
Red Red blood cells, also known
bloo as erythrocytes, deliver
d oxygen to the tissues in your
cells body.
Whit A white blood cell, also
e known as a leukocyte or
bloo white corpuscle, is a cellular
d component of the blood
cells that lacks hemoglobin, has a
(leucocy
nucleus, is capable of
motility, and defends the
tes)
body against infection and
disease.
Plate Platelets, or thrombocytes,
let are small, colorless cell
fragments in our blood that
form clots and stop or
prevent bleeding
How to use a microscope:
Collect a microscope and a blood smear slide.....
Oxygen turns into Red blood cells are Red blood cells are blood cells
energy and your primarily whose function is to carry
tissues release carbon responsible for oxygen throughout the body
dioxide. Your red blood carrying oxygen when inhaled to carry carbon
cells also transport from the lungs to dioxide back to the lungs
carbon dioxide to your tissues throughout when exhaled. Also called
lungs for you to exhale. the body. erythrocytes.
detect and deal with White blood cells White blood cells or
infections or foreign are the main actors lymphocytes are needed in
molecules that enter in the immune order to fight off diseases.
your body. system's defense When a virus enters the body,
against pathogens. it releases leukocytes to fight
it
Platelets help prevent Platelets are Platelets are shaped elements
bleedingIf a blood involved in blood of the blood, which act as a
vessel is damaged, the clotting, which is thickening of the blood and
body sends signals to essential for stop bleeding.
platelets which cause preventing
them to travel to the pathogens from
injured area. Once the entering the body
platelets arrive at the through wounds or
site, they clump injuries.
together to form a clot
that helps stop
bleeding
Brainpop microscope simulation (requires flash):
Download ruffle flash emulator will allow you to do similar at home......

Work through the simulation and look out for tips on the safe use of a microscope
https://www.brainpop.com/games/virtuallabsusingthemicroscope/

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Write down some top tips for using a microscope safely:
You should do this You should NOT do this!
. don't use the white stuff because to get a good
don't break the slides
lift it carefully at the end of your work, do not lift it by holding
be careful with slides it by the bottom, as you may get burned
focus you need oil don't touch the lenses
turn it on

Binocular microscope simulation: (requires flash):

https://www1.udel.edu/biology/ketcham/microscope/scope.html

Qualitative observations: What can you see in a blood smear?

Insert an image of your observations here (if you can record with a phone camera) or look on
google images for blood smear microscope samples to see if you can find any similar images:

Analysis
What types of cell can you identify?
White blood cell examples: (source)
Use the following key to help you: Identifying White Blood Cells
Cells seen in the sample:
Can you see any plasma?
Why/Why not?
Can you see any platelets?
Analyse and Evaluate
What percentage of your cells are white blood cells?
How did you decide on this measurement?
What is a healthy percentage of white blood cells?
Would somebody who was fighting a pathogenic
infection have a higher or a lower number of white
blood cells? Why?
Evaluate: how certain can you be of your analysis?
What could you do to make a more
reliable/reproducible conclusion?
White blood Cells
I cannot see any plasma
No, I can’t
0.185%
In my case this was the only way to do this without
any additional equipment
Neutrophils: 40% to 60%
Someone fighting a pathogenic infection typically
has a higher number of white blood cells. This is
because white blood cells are a crucial part of the
immune system, and their numbers increase in
response to an infection to help the body fight off
pathogens.
The analysis lacks details on how the percentage of
white blood cells was determined, so the certainty
of the analysis cannot be assessed. To make the
conclusion more reliable and reproducible:
 Provide information on the
methodology used for measuring
white blood cell percentage.
 Mention any controls or standards
used during the measurement.
 Ensure that the sample size is
adequate and representative.
 Use appropriate statistical analysis
 to assess the variability and
significance of the results.

What could you do to improve your sampling  Use a standardized and well-documented
technique? procedure for sample collection.
 Randomly select samples to reduce bias.
 Ensure proper handling and storage of
samples to prevent contamination or
degradation.
 Consider replicating the measurements to
assess reproducibility.

Sources:
 webmd.com
 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
 Mount Sinai

Above and Beyond: Interested in finding out more?

What can go wrong with our blood? Find out about one of the following diseases - what problems do
they cause and how can we treat them?

 Sickle cell anemia

 Leukemia
 Hemophilia
 Where did blood come from? (video)