Blood

NOTE: Blood can also be considered as a specialized form of connective tissue.

List the basic cellular components of blood
Cellular components of blood
Formed elements
- Erythrocytes: red blood cells transports oxygen
- Leukocytes: white blood cells that act in various ways to protect the body
- Platelets: cell fragments that help stop bleeding
Plasma (non living fluid matrix)

Recognize the basic histological features of the following

mature blood cells:
Red Blood cells
- Small cells about 7.5 μm in diameter
- Shape: biconcave discs flattened disc with depressed centre
- Bound by plasma membrane but lack nucleus (have essentially no organelles)

Macrophages:
- Are derived from monocytes
- Usually not visible in histological sections unless have phagocytosed something
- Large, mononuclear cell

Neutrophils
- Nucleus that contains 3-5 lobes which are connected by thin strands of chromatin
- The number of lobes increases with cell age
- Granulocyte containing 2 types of granules
o Primary granules contain lysosomal enzyme
o Secondary granules contain enzymes with strong bactericidal actions
o Stain weakly, and are thus “neutral”
Lymphocytes:
- Nucleus may appear to fill the entire cell in smaller cells
- Large lymphocytes have a wider rim of cytoplasm which surrounds the nucleus
- Nucleus stains darkest blue
- Appearance of lymphocytes may change drastically when they are activated