Blood Topics

1. Functions and Properties of Blood

2. Components of Blood
3. Blood Cell Formation
4. Red Blood Cells
5. White Blood Cells
6. Platelets
7. Hemostasis
8. Blood Groups and Blood Transfusion
 White Blood Cells

• White blood cells contribute to the

body’s defense against pathogens.
 White Blood Cells

• Nucleated
• Combat inflammation and infection
• Granular or
agranular
 White Blood Cells

•Neutrophils

•Lymphocytes

•Monocytes

•Eosinophils

•Basophils
White Blood Cells
• Never Let Monkeys
Eat Bananas
 Granular Leukocytes

Neutrophils
Prevalence - 60-70%

Structure - Multilobed nucleus

- Fine pale lilac
granules

Function - Phagocytosis
- Bacterial destruction
 Granular Leukocytes

Eosinophils
Prevalence - 2-4%

Structure - Bilobed nucleus

- Large red-orange
granules
Function - Diminish
inflammation
- Phagocytosis
 Granular Leukocytes

Basophils
Prevalence - 0.5-1%

Structure - Bilobed nucleus

- Large deep-blue
granules

Function - Intensify
inflammation
 Agranular Leukocytes

Lymphocytes
Prevalence - 20-25%

Structure - Large dark-staining

nucleus
- No granules

Function - Mediate immune

response
- “Soldiers”
 Agranular Leukocytes

Monocytes
Prevalence - 3-8%

Structure - Large kidney-

shaped nucleus
- No granules

Function - Phagocytosis
WBC Identification
WBC Identification
WBC Life
Cycle
• RBM 
lymphatic tissues
• Most WBCs are
short-lived
• 5,000-10,000
WBCs per μL
• Leukocytosis
• Leukopenia
• WBCs emigrate
from vessels
WBC Life
Cycle

• Leukocytes + monocytes  never re-enter

circulation
• Lymphocytes  continually recirculate
 ~2% in blood
 Blood Topics

1. Functions and Properties of Blood

2. Components of Blood
3. Blood Cell Formation
4. Red Blood Cells
5. White Blood Cells
6. Platelets
7. Hemostasis
8. Blood Groups and Blood Transfusion
 Platelets

• Platelets are disc-shaped fragments

of megakaryocytes that function in the
clotting process.
 Platelets

• Irregularly shaped cell fragments

• Vesicles but no organelles
• 150,000 – 400,000 per uL
• 1/3 stored in spleen
• Promote hemostasis
• Live about 10 days
– Macrophages in spleen and liver
 Platelet
Formation
• Formed from
megakaryoctyes in
red bone marrow
 Blood Topics

1. Functions and Properties of Blood

2. Components of Blood
3. Blood Cell Formation
4. Red Blood Cells
5. White Blood Cells
6. Platelets
7. Hemostasis
8. Blood Groups and Blood Transfusion
 Hemostasis

• Hemostasis is a series of carefully

controlled responses that stop
bleeding
 Hemostasis

• Series of carefully controlled

responses.
• Three mechanisms contribute
to hemostasis:
1. Vascular spasm
2. Platelet plug
formation
3. Blood clotting
 Vascular Spasm

• Vessel reflexively
vasoconstricts when
damaged
• Slows blood loss
• Immediate, but not
long lasting
 Platelet Contents

• Clotting factors
• ADP, ATP
• Ca2+ and serotonin
• Enzymes  thromboxane A2
• Fibrin-stabilizing factor
• Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)
 Platelet Plug Formation

Three steps:
1. Platelet adhesion
2. Platelet release reaction
3. Platelet aggregation

•Plug formation allows time for clotting and

healing
Platelet Plug Formation
Platelet Plug Formation
Platelet Plug Formation
 Platelet Plug Formation

• https://youtu.be/R8JMfbYW2p4