Normal Peripheral Blood Cells

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Authors: Jean Tatum, MT(ASCP); Karen Hay, M.S., MT(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.

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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours: 1.5 hour(s)
Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE Credit Hours -
General (Hematology): 1.5 hour(s)

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.
Based on knowledge obtained from this course, identify images of the various types of normal peripheral blood cells.

Course Outline

Introduction to Peripheral Blood Cells

The Cellular Components of Blood
Red Blood Cells (RBCs)
White Blood Cells (WBCs)
Platelets
Identifying Peripheral Blood Cells
Which peripheral blood cell is involved in the body's defense against infection?

Glossary

Glossary of Terms A through M
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 Segs
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
The Nucleus of an Eosinophil
All of the following statements describe a mature eosinophil except:

Basophils

Basophils
Basophil Granules and Chromatin Pattern

Name that 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 & 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:
During phagocytosis, the neutrophilic granules release digestive enzymes into the vacuole containing a microorganism to kill or destroy the phagocytiz...
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 1: Differentiating Monocytes from Large Lymphocytes
All of the following descriptions are characteristic of monocytes except:

Name that 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 (NK) Cells
Monocytic Function
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

Appearance of the Erythrocyte (Red Blood Cells)
Erythrocyte (RBC) Function and Kinetics

Name that 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 technologists, and medical laboratory technicians seeking review or continuing education. It is also appropriate for MLS and MLT students and medical students who first encounter peripheral blood morphology.

Authors: Jean Tatum, MT(ASCP); Karen Hay, MS, MT(ASCP)

Reviewer Information: Laurie Bjerklie, M.A., MLS(ASCP)^CM, is currently a Content Developer for MediaLab and LabCE. 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 faculty positions in both MLT and MLS programs. She most recently served as the Program Manager of Medical Laboratory Science at Saint Louis University.

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 students have a basic knowledge of the principles of cell morphology and preparation and staining of a Wright's stained peripheral blood smear.

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