Name : Abby Yong

I.D. : 14WAR03484
Group : RBS2 Group 2
Date : 30 September 2015
Title : Observation of different cell types in the human body and the lymphatic structures
and organs.
Aim:
1.

To differentiate the various cell types in the human blood

2.

To understand the histology and organization of lymphoid organs namely the thymus,
spleen and lymph nodes.

3.

To understand the histology and organization of lymphoid tissues, in particular those

that are involved with the gastrointestinal tract.

Introduction
In this experiment, fresh stains of human blood samples were made and observed to
identify the presence of various cells in the immune system. The immune system has
specific cells whose job is to recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns.Cells of
the immune system are divided into myeloid cells and also lymphoid cells. Myeloid cells
are either granulocytic or monocytic. Granulocytic cells are white blood cells such as
neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils. Monocytic cells are macrophages, Kupffer cells
and dendritic cells. Lymphoid cells on the other hand are T-cells, B-cells and natural
killer cells. When a pathogen enters the body, cells in the blood and lymph detect the
specific pathogen-associated molecular patterns on the pathogen's surface. These
pathogen-associated molecular patterns allow the immune system to recognize "self"
from "other" so as not to destroy the host. The lymphatic system includes a system of

lymphatic capillaries, vessels, nodes, and ducts that collects and transports lymph. The
lymphatic system is important for maintaining the bodys fluid balance, and it also works
along with the rest of the immune system to fight infections. The lymphoid organs assist
the lymphatic system. They include the thymus, spleen, tonsils, and appendix. Some
lymphatic tissue similar to the tonsils is also located in the digestive tract and these are
called gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). An example of these tissue is the Peyers
patches found in the small intestine.

Method
I.

Observation of different cell types in the human blood

A finger is pricked with and lancet and a drop of blood is dripped onto a glass slide.

Leishmann stain is then added to the blood drop and allowed to sit for 1-2 minutes.

Distilled water which is equal to twice the amount of stain added is then dripped onto the
slide. This is then allowed to sit for a further 10-15 minutes.

The stain is then washed off with more distilled water and is then viewed under the
microscope.
II. Observation of lymphatic structure and organs
Prepared slides of various lymphoid tissues, namely the thymus, spleen, lymph node and
Peyers patches are observed under the microscope.

Results

Picture 1.1: Lymph Node at

magnification
X100

Picture 2.1: Thymus gland at magnification

X100

Picture 3.1 : Small Intestine at magnification X100

Picture 4.1 : Spleen at magnification X100

Picture 5.1 : Blood smear at magnification X100

Discussion
The human blood sample consists of various cells and among them are red blood cells,
white blood cells and blood platelets. However, it is specifically the white blood cells that
are directly involved in the immune system. There are five main types of white blood
cells. They are: Neutrophils, Eosinophils, Basophils, Lymphocytes, and Monocytes.

Neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils are also called granulocytes because they have
granules in their cells that contain digestive enzymes.
Cell

Structure

Neutrophils

Eosinophils

Basophils

Lymphocytes
Monocytes

Lobed-nucleus and known as

a granulocyte

Lobed-nucleus and known as

a granulocyte
A granulocyte with a twolobed nucleus
Round and agranulocytic

Function
Engulfs bacteria via a process known
as phagocytosis. Their nucleus also
contain antimicrobial effectors which
are proteins that can kill microbes in
various different ways.
Kills parasites and plays a role in
allergic reactions
Releases histamine and heparin
which are hormones involved in
allergy when activated.
Lymphocytes function to make T-

Agranulocytic and has

cells, B-cells and NK cells

Matures into macrophages which are

kidney-shaped nucleus

phagocytotic

Lymphocytes function to produce B-cells, T-cells and NK cells. Each of these have
specific functions respectively.
Cell

B-cells

Function
It regulates construction of an antigen receptor.
It ensures the cell specificity.
It helps in exporting all required cells in the
periphery.
It helps in antibody production.
It helps rearrangement of their antigen receptors.

Divided into T-helper cells and suppressor cells

1.

Helper cells assist other white blood cells in

immunologic processes, including maturation of B
cells into plasma cells and memory B cells, and
activation of cytotoxic T cells and macrophages.

T-cells

2.

Suppressor

cells

shut

down

cell-mediated

immunity toward the end of an immune reaction and

to suppress autoreactive T cells that escaped the
process of negative selection in the thymus.
Natural killer cells play a cytotoxic role in the human
NK cells

immune system. Its main function is in granule mediated

cell apoptosis.

Several other organs in the human body also play large roles in the immune system.
Those that were observed in the experiment were cells from the thymus, spleen, lymph
node and also the small intestine.
Organ
Thymus

Structure
The thymus is a two-lobed

Function
The function of the thymus is to receive

structure which consists of

immature T cells that are produced in the

the cortex and medulla.

red bone marrow and train them into

functional, mature T cells that attack only

foreign cells. T cells first reside within the
cortex of the thymus where they come in
The cells in the medulla

contact with epithelial cells presenting

form nest-like structures

various antigens. The immature T cells

known as the Hassalls

that respond to the antigens corresponding

corpuscle.

to foreign cells are selected to survive,

mature, and migrate to the medulla while
the rest die via apoptosis and are cleaned
up by macrophages.[1]
It mainly acts as a filter for purifying the

A brown, flat, oval-shaped

blood, removing microbes and worn out or

lymphatic organ that is

damaged red blood cells. It is also an

divided into the red and

important organ in the immune system,

white pulp.

producing the white blood cells that fight

Small

Egg-shaped lymphatic

infection and synthesize antibodies.[2]

Peyers patches analyze and respond to

intestine;

tissue nodules that are

pathogenic microbes in the ileum.

Peyers

similar to lymph nodes in

Antigens from microbes in the gut are

Patches

structure, found in the

absorbed via endocytosis by microfold

ileum of the small

cells lining the surface of each Peyers

intestine.

patch. These antigens are passed on to the

Spleen

lymphoid tissue, where they are absorbed

by macrophages and presented to T
lymphocytes and B lymphocytes. When
presented with dangerous pathogenic
antigens, lymphocytes trigger the immune
response by producing pathogen-specific
antibodies; turning into pathogen-killing
cytotoxic T lymphocytes; and migrating
through lymphatic vessels to lymph nodes
to alert the other cells of the immune

system. The body then prepares a full

body-wide immune response to the
pathogen before it is able to spread beyond
the intestines.[3]
The function of all lymph nodes is the
Small bean-shaped glands
Lymph node

that occur along the larger

lymphatic vessels.

production of lymphocytes, which help

defend the body against microorganisms
and against harmful foreign particles and
debris from lymph before it is returned to
the blood stream. [4]

Questions
1)

Conclusion
The various organs in the immune system work hand-in-hand to help fight against
infections and protect the body from harm.

References
[1] Taylor, T 2013, Thymus Gland, viewed 7 October 2015,
<http://www.innerbody.com/image_endoov/lymp04-new.html>.
[2] Mandal, A 2014, Functions of the spleen, viewed 7 October 2015, <http://www.newsmedical.net/health/What-Does-the-Spleen-Do.aspx>.
[3] Taylor, T 2013, Peyers Patches, viewed 7 October 2015,
<http://www.innerbody.com/anatomy/immune-lymphatic/peyers-patches>.
[4] Taylor, T 2014, Lymph node, viewed 7 October 2015,
<http://www.innerbody.com/image_chest1/lymp05.html>.