Question

Describe the three main cellular components of the blood and explain what might cause abnormal numbers of each of these components.

Answer 1

The three main components of the blood include

RED BLOOD CELLS(erythrocytes)

WHITE BLOOD CELLS also called LEUCOCYTES .

PLATELETS (thrombocytes).

Red Blood Cells are the biconcave shaped , enucleated (at maturity ) cells which have haemoglobin and help in transport of gases and other nutrients across the tissues in the body . abnormal indicates both High and Low levels of RBC count.

Low levels of RBC count will result in anemia , where the oxygen carrying capicity is impaired .Anemia can be of different of types but mostly it is nutritional anemia , pernicious anemia.

Excess of circulating RBC is called as polycythemia . This polycythemia occurs in people living in high altitude regions.

Leukocytes (White Blood Cells) These play a role in body's immune system or defense system.These leukocytes haemoglobin and there are of different of types . The ones which have granules called granulocytes and the others without granules called agranulocytes .

Abnormalities in leukocyte production, Uncontrolled production of leukocytes will result in leukamia a type of blood cancers , low production of the WBC will result in poor immune system as found in diseases like infectious mononucleosis.

PLATELETS also called THROMOBOCYTES these are not whole cells but small cell fragments,low platelet count is called thrombocytopenia , which results in internal haemorrage and can lead to death. Usually found in the cases of dengue.