1. Normal Blood Cell Morphology

2. Types of White Blood Cells
AKA: Leukocytes or WBCs
Largest sized blood cells
Lowest numbers in the blood
(4,500 – 11,000 per microliter)
Formed in the bone marrow and
some in the lymph glands
Primary cells of the immune system
Fights disease and foreign invaders

3. Types of White Blood Cells
Contain nuclei with DNA,
the shape depends on the type of cell
Certain WBCs produce antibodies
Life span is from 24 hours to several years
Size is 8-20 micrometers
There are five different types of WBCs
Neutrophils
Eosinophils
Basophils
Lymphocytes
Monocytes

4. Types of White Blood Cells
Leukocytes can be divided into two groups.
Granulocytes
Contain granules; inclusions in their cytoplasm
Usually have lobulated or segmented nuclei
Neutrophils
Basophils
Eosinophils
Agranulocytes
Do not contain granules
Do not have lobulated or segmented nuclei
Monocytes
Lymphocytes

5. Types of White Blood Cells
Neutrophils (AKA: PMNs, Polys, Segs)
Account for the highest amount of WBCs [~60%]
Fight off bacterial invaders
Fight off fungal invaders
Take part in phagocytosis
Neutrophils look like…..
Nucleus is divided into 2 to 5 segments and stains dark purple (multi-lobed nucleus)
Cytoplasm is pale pink to tan with fine pink-purple granules
10-15 micrometers in diameter
Mature form = segmented (segs); Nucleus has 2-5 lobes
Immature form = band (bands); no segments in nucleus
Bands are normal in the peripheral blood in low numbers 0-5%
When did you see them?
High numbers during bacterial infections and inflammation

6. Types of White Blood Cells
Eosinophils (AKA: Eos)
Fight off parasitic worm and flukes
Important in allergic reactions
~ 3 % of WBCs in the blood
Eosinophils look like…..
Nucleus is divided into 2 segments
Cytoplasm is pale pink to tan with large
orange and red granules
10-15 micrometers in diameter
When did you see them?
High numbers with parasitic infections
Higher numbers in allergic reactions

7. Types of White Blood Cells
Basophils
Releases histamine in response to an allergic reaction
Seen with inflammation
Lowest number of WBCs in blood [<1%]
Basophils look like…..
Nucleus has 2 lobes that stains purple
and is difficult to see
Cytoplasm is pale pink –tan but contains
large purple/blue-black granules
10-15 micrometers in diameter
When did you see them?
High numbers during allergic reactions
High numbers during inflammatory reactions

8. Types of White Blood Cells
Monocyte
Search for bacteria and viruses
Participate in phagocytosis
Largest of the white blood cells
~ 6 % of WBCs in the blood
Monocytes look like…..
Singular nucleus (convoluted shape);
kidney shaped, bean shaped, or
horseshoe shaped with a deep indentation
Stains a blue-gray color with
“ground glass” cytoplasm, tiny granules
Vacuoles are sometimes present
12-20 micrometers in diameter
When did you see them?
High numbers during bacterial and viral infections

9. Types of White Blood Cells
Lymphocyte
Fight viral infections
Some produce and secrete antibodies
2nd most common WBC in blood
~ 30 % of WBCs in the blood
Lymphocytes look like…..
Large, dark staining nucleus, round or oval
Little to no cytoplasm, blue in color
Occasional purple-reddish granules
About the size of a RBC
8-15 micrometers in diameter
Smallest nucleated cell in peripheral circulation
When did you see them?
High numbers during viral infections
High and atypical form during infectious mononucleosis

10. Platelets Platelets (AKA: Thrombocytes or PLTs)
Formed from the fragments of a megakaryocyte
Not considered a WBC
Function in hemostasis
Platelets are found in the peripheral blood
Megakaryocytes are found in the bone marrow
Platelets look like…..
Small about 2-3 micrometers in diameter
Fragments
Stains bluish and usually contains small
reddish-purple granules
Oval or round but can have spiny projections
Normal is between 7-20 per field

11. Red Blood Cells Red Blood Cells (AKA: Erythrocytes of RBCs)
Normal sized (oval or round) = called normocytic
If the RBC color is normal = called normochromic