Normal Peripheral Blood Cells

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Authors: Jean Tatum, MLS(ASCP) and Karen Hay, MS, MLS(ASCP)
Reviewer: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM

This course covers the basics of normal peripheral blood cell morphology, including appearance, kinetics, and function of red blood cells, leukocytes, and platelets. It is assumed that students have a basic knowledge of the principles of cell morphology, and of preparation and staining of a Wright's stained peripheral blood smear.

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Discuss the characteristics of leukocytes, erythrocytes, and thrombocytes that are normally present in peripheral blood.
  • Compare and contrast the nuclear and cytoplasmic characteristics of each of the normal peripheral blood cells.
  • Evaluate the roles and functions of normal peripheral blood cells.
  • Identify images of the various types of normal peripheral blood cells.

Course Outline

  • Introduction to Peripheral Blood Cells
      • Cellular Components of Blood
      • Red Blood Cells
      • White Blood Cells
      • Platelets
      • Identifying Peripheral Blood Cells
      • Which peripheral blood cell is involved in the body's defense against infection?
  • Glossary
      • Table 1: Glossary of Terms A through M
      • Table 2: Glossary of Terms N through Z
  • Appearance of Granulocytes
    • Neutrophils
      • Introduction to Segmented and Band Nuclei
      • Appearance of a Band Neutrophil
      • Maturing into Segmented Neutrophil
      • Segmented Neutrophils
      • Differentiating Bands from Segmented Neutrophils
      • Which of the following is the more immature cell?
      • What is the characteristic that distinguishes a segmented neutrophil from a band neutrophil?
    • Eosinophils
      • Eosinophils
      • Difference Between Eosinophilic Granules and Neutrophilic Granules
      • Nucleus of an Eosinophil
      • All of the following statements describe a mature eosinophil except:
    • Basophils
      • Basophils
      • Basophil Granules and Chromatin Pattern
    • Name the Cell
      • Identify the nucleated blood cell:
      • Identify the nucleated blood cell:
      • Identify the nucleated blood cell that is indicated by the arrow:
      • Identify the nucleated blood cell:
      • Identify the nucleated blood cell:
      • Identify the nucleated blood cell:
  • Function and Kinetics of Granulocytes
      • Primary Function of Neutrophils
      • Primary Function of Neutrophils, continued
      • Eosinophil Function and Lifespan
      • Basophil Function and Lifespan
      • Eosinophils are increased in all of the following conditions except:
      • True or False: During phagocytosis, the neutrophilic granules release digestive enzymes into the vacuole containing a microorganism to kill or destroy...
      • Basophils' primary role involves:
  • Appearance of Mononuclear Cells
      • Mononuclear Cells: Lymphocytes and Monocytes
    • Lymphocytes
      • Lymphocytes
      • Large Lymphocytes and Reactive Lymphocytes
      • The nucleus of a small lymphocyte is about the same size as a:
      • Which of the following cells is characterized by a thin rim of cytoplasm around the nucleus?
    • Monocytes
      • Monocyte Appearance
      • Differentiating Monocytes from Large Lymphocytes
      • Table 3: Differentiating Monocytes from Large Lymphocytes
      • All of the following descriptions are characteristic of monocytes except:
    • Name the Cell
      • Identify the nucleated blood cell that is indicated by the arrow:
      • Identify the nucleated blood cell:
      • Identify the nucleated blood cell:
      • Identify the nucleated blood cell:
  • Function and Kinetics of Mononuclear Cells
      • What is the Function of Lymphocytes?
      • Natural Killer Cells
      • Monocytic Function
      • True or False: T lymphocytes are larger and have more vacuoles than B lymphocytes.
      • Match the following cells with their corresponding characteristics:
      • Match the following cells with their corresponding characteristics:
      • Where is the main site of action for monocytes after diapedesis?
  • Appearance, Function, and Kinetics of Platelets
      • Platelet Appearance
      • Platelet Clumps
      • Platelet Kinetics
      • Platelet Function
      • All of the following statements describe a method by which platelets aid coagulation except:
  • Appearance, Function, and Kinetics of Erythrocytes
      • Erythrocyte Appearance
      • Erythrocyte Function and Kinetics
  • Name the Cell Review
      • Identify the nucleated blood cell:
      • Identify the nucleated blood cell:
      • Identify the nucleated blood cell:
      • Identify the nucleated blood cell:
      • Identify the nucleated blood cell:
      • Identify the nucleated blood cell:
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Basic 
Intended Audience: Medical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians, MLS and MLT students, and pathology residents.
Authors: Jean Tatum, MLS(ASCP); Karen Hay, MS, MLS(ASCP)
The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer Information: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, is a Lead Education Developer. She earned a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of North Dakota and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Saint Xavier University. She has over 15 years of experience in higher education and has held program director and faculty positions in both MLT and MLS programs.
Course Description: This course is part of a series of courses adapted for the web by MediaLab, under license from Education Materials for Health Professionals, Inc., Dayton, OH, 45420. Copyright EMHP. This course covers the basics of normal peripheral blood cell morphology, including the appearance, kinetics, and function of red blood cells, leukocytes, and platelets. It is assumed that readers have a basic knowledge of the principles of cell morphology and preparation and staining of a Wright's stained peripheral blood smear.

This course is part of:
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Platelet clumps
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