Morphology of Erythrocytes and Leukocytes
" Discuss the morphology of erythrocytes and leukocytes and how their morphology impacts their functions. Also discuss the production of blood cells and what can happen in the body when that system malfunctions."
The functions of blood are: to regulate body temperature, transport oxygen and nutrients to the lungs and cell tissue, transport carbon dioxide from cells to the lungs, carry cells and antibodies that fight infection, deliver waste to the kidneys and liver(which filter blood), and form blood clots to prevent blood loss. Red blood cells or erythrocytes develop in the bone marrow and transport oxygen from the lungs to the cells. RBCs also transport carbon dioxide from cells and into the lungs to be exhaled. White blood cells protect the body from infection. The most common type of WBC is neutrophil, the immediate response cell and accounts for 60-70% of the total WBC. Neutrophils last less than 1 day so the bone marrow must constantly make new neutrophils to maintain protection against infection.
T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes are other major white blood cells. T lymphocytes help regulate the function of other immune cells and directly attack various infected cells and tumors. B lymphocytes make antibodies which are proteins that specifically target bacteria, viruses and other foreign matter. An example of what can happen in the body when the production of red blood cells becomes too low, the body becomes anemic. This can lead to health problems because RBCs contain hemoglobin which carry oxygen to the body’s’ tissues. Anemia can cause a variety of complications including fatigue and stress on bodily organs.
References:
Thibodeau, G.A., & Patton, K.T. (2008). Structure & Function of the body. 13th Edition St. Louis, MI:Mosby Elsevier
Blood Basics retrieved 8/13/13 from
The functions of blood are: to regulate body temperature, transport oxygen and nutrients to the lungs and cell tissue, transport carbon dioxide from cells to the lungs, carry cells and antibodies that fight infection, deliver waste to the kidneys and liver(which filter blood), and form blood clots to prevent blood loss. Red blood cells or erythrocytes develop in the bone marrow and transport oxygen from the lungs to the cells. RBCs also transport carbon dioxide from cells and into the lungs to be exhaled. White blood cells protect the body from infection. The most common type of WBC is neutrophil, the immediate response cell and accounts for 60-70% of the total WBC. Neutrophils last less than 1 day so the bone marrow must constantly make new neutrophils to maintain protection against infection.
T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes are other major white blood cells. T lymphocytes help regulate the function of other immune cells and directly attack various infected cells and tumors. B lymphocytes make antibodies which are proteins that specifically target bacteria, viruses and other foreign matter. An example of what can happen in the body when the production of red blood cells becomes too low, the body becomes anemic. This can lead to health problems because RBCs contain hemoglobin which carry oxygen to the body’s’ tissues. Anemia can cause a variety of complications including fatigue and stress on bodily organs.
References:
Thibodeau, G.A., & Patton, K.T. (2008). Structure & Function of the body. 13th Edition St. Louis, MI:Mosby Elsevier
Blood Basics retrieved 8/13/13 from
References: Thibodeau, G.A., & Patton, K.T. (2008). Structure & Function of the body. 13th Edition St. Louis, MI:Mosby Elsevier Blood Basics retrieved 8/13/13 from http://www.hematology.org/patients/blood-basics/