UNIT 20 – BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
LEARNING AIM A: Understand the principles of Hematology and its use in medical
diagnosis
INVESTIGATION
SEARCH HEALTHY RED BLOOD CELLS UNDER MICRSCOPE X40 AND X100
SEARCH FOR INFECTIOUS RED BLOOD CELLS X40 AND X100 AND DIFFERENTIATE
What is blood?
Blood is made up of liquids and solids. The liquid part of your blood is called plasma.
Plasma Is in charge of storing protein, salt and water. The solid part of your blood
contains components such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
Red blood cells
Red blood cells (RBC), also known as erythrocytes deliver oxygen around your body
and deliver carbon dioxide to the lungs. The structure of the red blood cell is simple;
they have a biconcave structure which allows the red blood cell to squeeze through
vessels. They also do not contain organelles such as mitochondria, nuclei or
chloroplasts. The absence of these organelles allows for there to be more room for
hemoglobin. RBC is also very good at finding human blood types where the presence or
absence of antigens are needed. Antigens help the body’s immune system fight off
infection. Antigens also help the Immune system observe its red blood type. RBC’s also
contain hemoglobin, which is a protein that contributes to the red blood cell’s red
attribute.
, Leukocytes
White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, are part of the immune system and are in
charge of fighting off infection or virus in your body. They move throughout blood and
tissue and detect illness and notify the other white blood cells of their location so they
can aid each other In fighting the unidentified organism. One attribute of the white blood
cell Is that it is monochromatic and spherical. However, when observed under a
microscope they can be seen having a pink or purple tint.
Thrombocytes / platelets
Thrombocytes (also known as platelets) are known as megakaryocytes, which are very
large, irregularly lobed with a polypoid nucleus. They are found in bone marrow and are
responsible for blood clotting and healing wounds. However, having too little
thrombocytes or too many platelets may cause complications. Circulating platelets have
a biconvex (lens shape) and are typically between the size of 2-3m wide. They also have
a cell-membrane extension over the cell.
LEARNING AIM A: Understand the principles of Hematology and its use in medical
diagnosis
INVESTIGATION
SEARCH HEALTHY RED BLOOD CELLS UNDER MICRSCOPE X40 AND X100
SEARCH FOR INFECTIOUS RED BLOOD CELLS X40 AND X100 AND DIFFERENTIATE
What is blood?
Blood is made up of liquids and solids. The liquid part of your blood is called plasma.
Plasma Is in charge of storing protein, salt and water. The solid part of your blood
contains components such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
Red blood cells
Red blood cells (RBC), also known as erythrocytes deliver oxygen around your body
and deliver carbon dioxide to the lungs. The structure of the red blood cell is simple;
they have a biconcave structure which allows the red blood cell to squeeze through
vessels. They also do not contain organelles such as mitochondria, nuclei or
chloroplasts. The absence of these organelles allows for there to be more room for
hemoglobin. RBC is also very good at finding human blood types where the presence or
absence of antigens are needed. Antigens help the body’s immune system fight off
infection. Antigens also help the Immune system observe its red blood type. RBC’s also
contain hemoglobin, which is a protein that contributes to the red blood cell’s red
attribute.
, Leukocytes
White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, are part of the immune system and are in
charge of fighting off infection or virus in your body. They move throughout blood and
tissue and detect illness and notify the other white blood cells of their location so they
can aid each other In fighting the unidentified organism. One attribute of the white blood
cell Is that it is monochromatic and spherical. However, when observed under a
microscope they can be seen having a pink or purple tint.
Thrombocytes / platelets
Thrombocytes (also known as platelets) are known as megakaryocytes, which are very
large, irregularly lobed with a polypoid nucleus. They are found in bone marrow and are
responsible for blood clotting and healing wounds. However, having too little
thrombocytes or too many platelets may cause complications. Circulating platelets have
a biconvex (lens shape) and are typically between the size of 2-3m wide. They also have
a cell-membrane extension over the cell.
