1. What is Hematology?

is the study of blood and an important part of clinical pathology and the diagnostic
process. It includes not only the examination of the cellular and fluid potions of
blood, but also includes a study of the tissues that form, store and circulate blood
cells. A veterinarian uses the results of hematology tests to help determine the health
of an animal. These results are used in conjunction with the history, physical exam
and other laboratory findings. In this unit you will be introduced to the components of
blood and the procedures involved in a complete blood count.

2. Write the Components of the Blood?

Components of blood
Blood is a tissue consisting of cells within a fluid matrix. Blood creates an internal
environment which directly or indirectly baths all cells of the body and protects it
from the external environment. Blood contains red blood cells (erythrocytes), white
blood cells (leukocytes) and platelets (thrombocytes). Figure 2.3 on page 10 of Voigt
illustrates the cellular components of blood.
Red blood cells contain hemoglobin and are responsible for carrying oxygen from the
lungs to the cells throughout the body, as well as carbon dioxide from the tissues to
the lungs for excretion. White blood cells are either granulocytes (contain granules
in the cytoplasm) or agranulocytes (do not contain granules in the
cytoplasm.) Granular
leukoytes
include
neutrophils,
eosinophils
and
basophils. Agranulocytes include lymphocytes and monocytes. WBCs are a critical
component of the immune system. Platelets are cell fragments from large
multnucleated cells (megakaryocytes). Platelets are important in blood clotting or
hemos tasis. The clear to pale-yellow fluid portion of blood is called plasma. Five to
ten percent of the plasma consists of proteins. The majority of the proteins are
albumin, globulins and fibrinogen. Albumins transport numerous substances in the
blood and are the main determinant of the osmotic pressure. Globulins (alpha, beta
and gamma) are important in transport and immunity. Fibrinogen is important in
blood clotting and the inflammatory cascade. If blood is allowed to clot, the clotting
factors are removed from the plasma and the remaining fluid portion of the blood is
calledserum.
3. Write down the three main function of blood?
The three main functions of blood are transportation, regulation and
defense. Many of these functions will be covered in detail in other units.
Transports

Oxygen and nutrients to cells in the body

Carbon dioxide and waste materials from cells in body

Hormones from glands to target organs

Regulates

Body temperature
Water balance
pH
Electrolytes

Defense

Phagocytosis of foreign invaders

Involved with immunity
Blood clotting

4. What is RED Cell Count:A red blood cell (RBC) count is a blood test that tells you how many red blood cells
you have.
RBCs contain a substance called haemoglobin, which transports oxygen around the body.
The amount of oxygen that's delivered to your body's tissues will depend on the number of
RBCs you have and how well they work.
A RBC count is usually carried out as part of a full blood cell (FBC) count. A normal RBC
count would be:
male - 4.7-6.1 million cells per microlitre (cells/mcL)
female - 4.2-5.4 million cells/mcL
The results of an RBC count can be used to help diagnose blood-related conditions, such
as iron deficiency anaemia (where there are less red blood cells than normal).
A low RBC count could also indicate a vitamin B6, B12 or folate deficiency. It may also
signify internal bleeding, kidney disease ormalnutrition (where a person's diet doesn't
contain enough nutrients to meet their body's needs).
A high RBC count could be due to a number of health conditions or factors including:

smo king

congenital heart disease

dehydration - for example, from severe diarrhoea

low blood oxygen levels (hypoxia)

pulmonary fibrosis - a lung condition that causes scarring of the lungs

Read more about the red blood cell count at Lab Tests Online UK.

5. White blood cell count (leukocyte count):

The number of white blood cells (WBCs) in the blood. The WBC is usually measured
as part of the CBC (complete blood count). White blood cells are the infectionfighting cells in the blood and are distinct from the red (oxygen-carrying) blood cells
known as erythrocytes. There are different types of white blood cells, including
neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes; PMNs), band cells (slightly immature

neutrophils), T-type lymphocytes (T cells), B-type lymphocytes (B cells), monocytes,

eosinophils, and basophils. All the types of white blood cells are reflected in the
white blood cell count. The normal range for the white blood cell count varies
between laboratories but is usually between 4,300 and 10,800 cells per cubic
millimeter of blood. This can also be referred to as the leukocyte count and can be
expressed in international units as 4.3 - 10.8 x 109 cells per liter.
A low white blood cell count is called leukopenia. A high white blood cell count is
termed leukocytosis.

5. What is Microbiology ?
The aim of this component on microbiology is to enable you to understand the
concepts underlying the biology of microbes. We will achieve this aim by examining
aspects of their biology that differentiate microbes from larger organisms. We
revise and build on previous material on the structure and evolution of the cell. This
component finishes with some extension material on competition. By the end of the
unit you will be expected to apply these concepts to any practical situation and
develop a response to a problem or issue that involves microbes. This means you
need to be able to recall, integrate and apply information and concepts from this
part of the unit. Please be aware that the structure of this electronic learning
resource does not strictly follow the lectures, though the underlying concepts are
exactly the same.
The concepts covered are:

the enormous functional diversity within microbes, despite morphological

similarity

the different methods microbes use to acquire energy and oxygen

the potential for microbes to increase the size of their populations and

the mechanisms underlying microbial competition and the consequences of

competition.

BACTERIA
Cells are one of two types, Prokaryote or Eukaryote.
Read the notes in the text, and below, and then use the following Drag and Drop exercise to test your
in depth knowledge of the differences between Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes.
Drag & Drop Exercise
In our studies, we generally refer to all Prokaryotes as BACTERIA. However, Eubacteria genetically
differ from Archaebacteria by more than from the Eukaryotes.

Structure
Prokaryotes consist of cells that lack membrane bound organelles. The organelles float freely within
the cytoplasm. The nucleus also differs. In Prokaryotes, nuclear region is a circular strand of DNA, that
also floats in the cytoplasm. The wall, when present, may have a complex constitution (see figure on

gram positive and gram negative). However, of most importance is that in Prokaryotes, the wall may
contain muriens (polysaccharide containing amide links), a compound not found in walls of Eukaryotic
cells. The cell may also contain small loops of nucleic acid. Some of these may function independently
of the cell, and they are called plasmids.
Most Bacteria exist as single cells, though some (Actinomyces) form filaments. The cells are always
very simple and may be round (cocci), elongate (bacilli) or spiral (spirilli). The single cells of one type
may aggregate in specific and predictable ways when grown on agar (e.g. Streptococcus and
Staphlococcus)..

Bacteria in Nature
In nature, bacteria tend to be found in complex communities, aggregating with other microbes. The
communities probably form following the effects of quorum sensing, a signaling process that triggers
aggregating behaviours on agar. These communities tend to be located in polysaccharide matrices,
thus enabling individuals to be in close contact and communication with cooperating microbes. The
matrix enables movement of nutrients, signals and enables gas exchange. Communities have been
examined in the mouth associated with teeth, on surfaces in water, and even in water pipes.

Size
Bacteria are very small. The smallest cells are around 0.35m maximum diameter. These appear to be
obligate parasites on and in other cells. For instance, the bdellovibrio are parasitic in other bacteria.
The largest common bacteria are around 2m long. These cells are usually capable of independent
respiration, and can complete their life cycle without the support of other cells.
to nutriti

A fungus
(/fs/; plural: fungi[3] or funguses[4]) is any member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that
includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds (British English: moulds), as well as the more
familiarmushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate
from plants, animals, protists, and bacteria. One major difference is that fungal cells have cell walls that
contain chitin, unlike the cell walls of plants and some protists, which contain cellulose, and unlike the cell
walls of bacteria. These and other differences show that the fungi form a single group of related
organisms, named the Eumycota (true fungi or Eumycetes), that share a common ancestor (is
a monophyletic group). This fungal group is distinct from the structurally similar myxomycetes (slime
molds) and oomycetes (water molds). The discipline ofbiology devoted to the study of fungi is known
as mycology (from the Greek , muks, meaning "fungus"). Mycology has often been regarded as a
branch of botany, even though it is a separate kingdom in biological taxonomy. Genetic studies have
shown that fungi are more closely related to animals than to plants.
Abundant worldwide, most fungi are inconspicuous because of the small size of their structures, and
their cryptic lifestyles in soil, on dead matter, and as symbionts of plants, animals, or other fungi. They
may become noticeable when fruiting, either as mushrooms or as molds. Fungi perform an essential role
in the decomposition of organic matter and have fundamental roles in nutrient cycling and exchange.
They have long been used as a direct source of food, such as mushrooms and truffles, as
a leavening agent for bread, and in fermentation of various food products, such as wine, beer, and soy
sauce. Since the 1940s, fungi have been used for the production of antibiotics, and, more recently,
various enzymes produced by fungi are used industrially and in detergents. Fungi are also used
as biological pesticides to control weeds, plant diseases and insect pests. Many species
produce bioactive compounds called mycotoxins, such as alkaloids and polyketides, that are toxic to
animals including humans. The fruiting structures of a few species contain psychotropiccompounds and
are consumed recreationally or in traditional spiritual ceremonies. Fungi can break down manufactured
materials and buildings, and become significant pathogens of humans and other animals. Losses of crops
due to fungal diseases (e.g., rice blast disease) or food spoilage can have a large impact on human food
supplies and local economies.
The fungus kingdom encompasses an enormous diversity of taxa with varied ecologies, life
cycle strategies, and morphologies ranging from unicellular aquatic chytrids to large mushrooms.

However, little is known of the true biodiversity of Kingdom Fungi, which has been estimated at 1.5 million
to 5 million species, with about 5% of these having been formally classified. Ever since the pioneering
18th and 19th century taxonomicalworks of Carl Linnaeus, Christian Hendrik Persoon, and Elias Magnus
Fries, fungi have been classified according to their morphology (e.g., characteristics such as spore color
or microscopic features) or physiology. Advances in molecular genetics have opened the way for DNA
analysis to be incorporated into taxonomy, which has sometimes challenged the historical groupings
based on morphology and other traits. Phylogeneticstudies published in the last decade have helped
reshape the classification of Kingdom Fungi, which is divided into one subkingdom, seven phyla, and ten
subphyla.
A group of all the fungi present in a particular area or geographic region is known as mycobiota (plural
noun, no singular), e.g., "the mycobiota of Ireland". [5]