Clinicl Pathology - Coursework Example

On the other hand, cells are the solid part of the blood. There are three types of cells present in the blood such as the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Red blood cells (RBC) or erythrocytes are the enucleated, biconcave disc cells that makes the blood color red. They contain hemoglobin- a protein with iron component- that binds to the oxygen for transport throughout the body. The blood contains more RBC as compared to other kind of cells. According to Eadie and Brown Jr. (1953), the approximate life span of RBC is 100 to 120 days.

White blood cells (WBC) or leukocytes are the cells involved in protecting the body from foreign bodies such as bacteria, viruses and parasites that were able to enter the body. There are two types of WBC, the granulocytes and the agranulocytes. Granulocytes are identified from agranulocytes for the presence of granules in the cells. There are three types of granulocytes, the neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils while there are two types of agranulocytes, the lymphocytes, and monocytes. Platelets or thrombocytes are the smallest cells in the blood.

They function as the first group of cells to aggregate to the wounded blood vessels to stop the further leakage of blood components out of the vessel. The first test that is being taken during check up or diseases diagnosis is the blood test. There are many kind of blood test being performed today for different purposes. Some of the blood test discussed is red blood cell count, lactose tolerance test, haemoglobin, and prothrombin time test. Red blood cell count is done to measure the number of red blood cell per volume of blood.

Different values of RBC per volume of blood indicate but not limited to either the presence of a disease, physical activity done, and dietary intake made. The altitude of the area of residence also affects the RBC count of individuals (Liknaitzky, 1933). Individuals living in higher