Laboratory 11: Heart and Blood
Part 1: Blood Cell Types
We will look at a stained blood smear to identify the blood cells types. You will need to
search the entire slide to find all the blood cell types.
A. Red blood cells.
The most numerous blood cells are the erythrocytes, or red blood cells. Red blood cells
contain hemoglobin which a protein that binds oxygen. Red blood cells are biconcave
cells that lack a nucleus.
B. White blood cells
1. Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cells. They have a multi-lobed nucleus
and the cytoplasm stains clear.
2. Eosinophils are large white blood cells, with bi-lobed nuclei and with pink staining
granules in the cytoplasm
3. Basophils are large white blood cells, with bi-lobed nuclei and with purple staining
granules in the cytoplasm
4. Monocytes have a U shaped nucleus and blue cytoplasm with no granules
5. Lymphocytes have a round nucleus that fills almost the entire cell.
C. Platelets
Platelets are fragments of megakaryocytes. The are small, purple cell fragments in the
blood smear.
Procedure 1: Identifying blood cells types
Search the prepared blood smear slide and identify all the blood cells types listed above.
Use your book (page 200) and handouts in this manual. Sketch each blood cell type.
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Part 2. Determine Blood type using a blood type kit
Your blood type is determined by what type of proteins are coating your red blood cells.
The type of protein you have is inherited.
We use the A B O Blood Groups:
Type A blood has type A antigen (protein) on the surface of the RBC.
Type B blood has type B antigen on the surface of the RBC.
Type AB blood has type A and B antigens on the surface of the RBC.
Type O blood has no antigens on the surface of the RBC.
We also have antibodies to proteins that are not normally found our bodies. If you have
type B blood, then you have B proteins on your RBCs, but you do not have Type A
proteins. But you will have antibodies to the type A proteins (anti A antibodies). If you
come into contact with type A blood, your antibodies will attach themselves to the type A
proteins and the blood cells will aggregate (stick together). Some of the type A blood
cells may be lysed (broken open).
There is also a blood protein referred to as type D or Rh factor. If you have the Rh factor
protein on your blood cells you have “positive” blood. So you may be type A+, meaning
that you have type A proteins and Rh proteins coating your blood. Rh factor antibodies
can cause a problem during pregnancy because these antibodies are small enough to pass
through the placenta, it is very rare that type A or B proteins will pass through the
placenta.
We will test blood types by treating a cell with the antibodies to see if there is a reaction.
Procedure 2: Determining Blood Type
Follow the direction in the blood type kit handout on the following pages.
Part 3. Sheep’s Heart Dissection
Each group will be given a sheep’s heart to dissect. Sheep’s hearts are very similar in
size to human hearts. There are some differences in the architecture due to the fact that
sheep are four-legged animals. The most notable difference is the presence and
orientation of the anterior and posterior vena cava. Humans in contrast have superior and
inferior vena cavas.
Procedure 3: Sheep’s Heart Dissection
Follow the directions in the Sheep Heart Dissection handout. There are gloves available
to use while dissecting the heart. When you are finished, place your heart in the plastic
bag near the sink. Wash your dissecting tray and equipment with soap and water, scrub
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the dissecting tools with a brush. Place the tools on the paper towel lined tray to dry and
place the tray up-side down next to the sink. Wash your hands.
Part 4: The path of the blood through the heart and the parts
of the heart
Using the cardio lab handout given in this manual, be able to describe the path of the
blood through the heart, to the lungs, back to the heart then out to the body.
On a heart model, be able to identify the following structures and know if the blood
passing through that structure would be oxygen rich or oxygen poor.
Superior and Inferior vena cava
Right Atrium.
Tricuspid AV valve
Right Ventricle.
Pulmonary SL valve
Pulmonary Arteries
Pulmonary veins
Left Atrium.
Mitral AV valve
L Ventricle
Aortic SL valve
Aorta
Coronary arteries and veins
Septum
Chordae tendineae
Papillary muscles
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