Practice Assignment 02
Blood cell check-up
The blood of mammals is made up of several types of cell suspended in a liquid. The red blood cells, which make up about half the volume of the blood, carry oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. They are very small, do not have a nucleus, and are the shape of a squashed ball. There are fewer white blood cells. These are part of the body's defence system. White blood cells are a bit bigger than red cells and have a nucleus which can be stained. Blood cells are suspended in a solution of proteins called plasma.
The appearance and number of the different cells present in a blood sample can help diagnose health problems.
What you have to do
- Get copies of the Standard Procedures SP 0001:2005 and SP 0002-2:2005.
- Follow the procedures to prepare, stain and examine slides of the blood sample you are given. Find the different cells shown in the diagram.
- Look at the quality of your slide and consider how you could improve the instructions for the blood smear standard procedure. Make a note of some hints and tips. Prepare a second slide using these extra tips, and then examine it. Label the slides so you know which is which.
- In a small group, compare the quality of your slides. Agree on the best tips for improving the standard procedure to give better slides.
Some hints
- Carefully follow the instructions you are given about safety precautions, including wearing gloves and washing your hands after handling blood.
- It is important that the blood is smeared thinly and evenly on the slide.
Use a small drop. - The nuclei of white blood cells stain blue, and the cells can be various shapes. Red cells will look pink.
Some questions
- What characteristics of blood can be compared using a light microscope?
- What other tests and examinations could be carried out on blood samples?