Notes of Shape and Size of RBCs, Structure of RBCs, Life Cycle of RBCs, Function of RBCs, Variability and Disorders of RBCs.

Red Blood Cells (RBCs) possess unique attributes essential for their function in the circulatory system. Their distinctive biconcave shape maximizes surface area for efficient gas exchange. Structurally, mature RBCs lack a nucleus, making room for hemoglobin, a molecule vital for oxygen and carbon dioxide transport. These cells undergo a lifecycle that lasts about 120 days, originating from the bone marrow and eventually being removed by the spleen. Their primary role involves ferrying oxygen to body tissues and removing carbon dioxide. Additionally, changes in RBC size, shape, or hemoglobin content can signify various medical conditions, and there are specific disorders, like anemia or sickle cell disease, that directly impact RBCs.

1. B.Sc. MLT Haematology Quick Summary Notes
Attuluri Vamsi Kumar I Assistant professor I Dept of MLT I Ph No: 7416660584 I Website: mltmaster.com

Program Name: B.Sc. Medical Lab Technology
Notes of Haematology
Course Name: Haematology Course code: 22MLH-201
Date: 07-08-2023 Time: 10:20 AM to 11:10AM Course Type
Course Coordinator: Attuluri Vamsi Kumar – B.Sc. MLT, M.Sc. MLT, PhD (Perusing)
Designation: Assistant Professor
Department: Department of Medical Lab Technology (MLT)
Program Core
PRE-REQUISITE General Physiology - I Sem: 3 Lecture No: 2
Topics Discussed Shape and Size of RBCs, Structure of RBCs, Life Cycle of RBCs, Function of RBCs,
Variability and Disorders of RBCs.
About Vamsi: I am academician in Medical Laboratory Sciences with a strong desire to improve Outcome based education
(OBE) structured MLT education. I am constantly focusing on building an academic atmosphere that is set high standards
with strong multi blended teaching pedagogy models.
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NOTES L2
Applications of Hematology
1. Applications in the Blood Bank:
Hematology plays a significant role in blood banks. Here are some of the applications:
• Blood Typing and Crossmatching: This process involves determining the blood type of a
potential donor and checking compatibility with the recipient. It prevents transfusion reactions,
which can be life-threatening. The basic tests involve ABO and RhD typing.
• Screening for Transfusion Transmissible Infections: Blood banks use hematological tests to
screen donated blood for infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and malaria,
among others. This helps in ensuring that the donated blood is safe for transfusion.
• Detection of Hemoglobinopathies and Blood Disorders: Some blood banks screen for
hemoglobin disorders, such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia. This is important as these
disorders can affect the quality of the donated blood.
• Immunohematology: This area deals with the study of the immune system's reactions to blood
transfusions. The understanding of immunohematology is vital for managing blood products,
preventing transfusion reactions, and treating conditions such as hemolytic disease of the
newborn.
2. Basic Hematology Applications:
In basic hematology, blood and blood components are studied to detect abnormalities and diagnose
conditions. Here are some of the main applications:
• Complete Blood Count (CBC): This is a basic test that quantifies various components of the
blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It helps to diagnose a variety
of conditions from anemia to infections and leukemia.
• Blood Films and Bone Marrow Examination: These tests help in identifying abnormalities
in blood cells, which may indicate blood cancers or other disorders.

2. B.Sc. MLT Haematology Quick Summary Notes
Attuluri Vamsi Kumar I Assistant professor I Dept of MLT I Ph No: 7416660584 I Website: mltmaster.com

• Hemoglobinopathies and Thalassemias: Hematological tests can detect inherited conditions
like sickle cell disease and thalassemia. Early detection can lead to better management of these
conditions.
• Evaluation of Anemia and Polycythemia: Hematology is crucial in diagnosing and managing
different types of anemia (low red blood cell count) and polycythemia (high red blood cell
count). It helps identify the underlying cause, whether it's nutritional deficiency, bone marrow
disease, or a genetic disorder.
3. Applications in Bleeding Disorders:
Hematology is integral to the diagnosis and management of bleeding disorders. Here's how it is applied:
• Coagulation Tests: These include tests like Prothrombin Time (PT), International Normalized
Ratio (INR), and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT). They measure how well the
blood is clotting and can detect clotting disorders like hemophilia and von Willebrand disease.
• Platelet Function Tests: These tests assess how well the platelets are working. They're used
in diagnosing platelet disorders that can lead to excessive bleeding.
• Factor Assays: These specialized tests can identify specific clotting factor deficiencies in
disorders like hemophilia.
• Fibrinolysis Assessment: These tests can help diagnose conditions associated with abnormal
clot dissolution, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
4. Applications in Neonatal Hematology:
The study and practice of hematology in newborns (neonatal hematology) involve diagnosing and
managing blood disorders unique to this period. Here are some applications:
• Neonatal Jaundice: Hematology helps in diagnosing and managing this common condition in
newborns caused by high levels of bilirubin, a by-product of red blood cell breakdown.
• Neonatal Anemia: Hematological tests can identify anemia in newborns, which can be due to
various reasons, including rapid growth, nutritional deficiencies, or hemolytic disease of the
newborn.
• Polycythemia and Thrombocytopenia: These conditions, characterized by high and low
blood cell counts, respectively, can be detected and managed with the help of hematology.
• Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN): This condition, often due to Rh incompatibility
between the mother and the baby, can be diagnosed and managed using hematological methods.
Hematology has a broad range of applications and is a fundamental pillar in clinical diagnosis and
management of diseases. The field continues to evolve with advancements in medical technology and
molecular biology, leading to more precise diagnostics and tailored treatment strategies for various
blood disorders.
Properties of Whole Blood
1. Components of Whole Blood:
Whole blood is made up of several components, each with specific properties:
• Red Blood Cells (RBCs): Also known as erythrocytes, they make up about 40-45% of the
blood volume. RBCs are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body,
and they give blood its red color.

3. B.Sc. MLT Haematology Quick Summary Notes
Attuluri Vamsi Kumar I Assistant professor I Dept of MLT I Ph No: 7416660584 I Website: mltmaster.com

• White Blood Cells (WBCs): These are the soldiers of the body, defending it against infections
and diseases. They form about 1% of the blood volume and are less in number compared to
RBCs.
• Platelets: Also known as thrombocytes, they play a vital role in blood clotting, a process that
prevents excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is damaged.
• Plasma: This is the liquid component of blood and makes up about 55% of the blood volume.
It's mostly water (about 92%) but also contains proteins, hormones, minerals, and various waste
products.
2. Physical Properties of Whole Blood:
• Color: The color of whole blood is typically bright red in arterial blood (oxygen-rich) and dark
red in venous blood (oxygen-poor).
• Volume: The total blood volume in a healthy adult human is about 5 liters, roughly 7-8% of
the total body weight.
• Viscosity: Blood is about 4.5-5.5 times as viscous as water. This property is crucial for its
circulation through blood vessels and the exchange of nutrients, gases, and waste products.
• pH: The pH of blood is tightly regulated to stay within the range of 7.35 to 7.45, making it
slightly basic. This is essential to maintain homeostasis and proper metabolic function.
• Temperature: The temperature of blood usually slightly higher than the body's external
temperature, averaging at about 37.5°C or 99.5°F.
3. Functional Properties of Whole Blood:
• Transportation: Blood transports various substances necessary for bodily functions, including
oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products. It also carries heat and helps regulate body
temperature.
• Protection: The WBCs in the blood protect the body from infections and diseases. Platelets
and plasma proteins play crucial roles in coagulation, helping the body to prevent excessive
bleeding.
• Regulation: Blood helps in maintaining the pH and ion composition of interstitial fluids,
preventing the potentially harmful effects of biochemical fluctuations. It also helps regulate
body temperature by redistributing heat.
4. Compatibility and Typing:
Blood is categorized into various types based on the presence or absence of antigens on the surface of
red blood cells. There are four primary blood types: A, B, AB, and O, and each can be RhD positive or
negative. Knowledge of these types is crucial for safe blood transfusions.
In summary, whole blood has several crucial properties and functions, including transporting nutrients
and oxygen, protecting against infections, regulating body functions, and more. Understanding these
properties helps medical professionals diagnose and treat numerous health conditions.
Properties of Red Blood Cells
Red Blood Cells (RBCs), also known as erythrocytes, are the most abundant type of cell in the human
blood. They serve as the primary carrier of oxygen from the lungs to all the tissues in the body and then
transport carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. Here are the key properties of RBCs:

4. B.Sc. MLT Haematology Quick Summary Notes
Attuluri Vamsi Kumar I Assistant professor I Dept of MLT I Ph No: 7416660584 I Website: mltmaster.com

1. Shape and Size:
• Biconcave Discs: RBCs are shaped like biconcave discs—flattened discs with a depressed
center on both sides. This unique shape provides a larger surface area for gas exchange relative
to their volume.
• Size: The average diameter of a human RBC is approximately 6-8 micrometers. The typical
thickness is 2 micrometers at the edges and 1 micrometer or less in the center.
2. Structure:
• No Nucleus: Mature RBCs in mammals lack a nucleus, which allows more room to carry
hemoglobin, the molecule that binds to oxygen and carbon dioxide. This absence of a nucleus
also means that RBCs can't repair themselves or reproduce.
• Hemoglobin: RBCs are packed with hemoglobin, a complex protein that gives blood its red
color and is responsible for the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
• Membrane: The RBC membrane is a lipid bilayer, like all cells, but also contains unique
proteins and glycoproteins. This membrane is flexible, allowing RBCs to change shape as they
navigate through narrow capillaries.
3. Life Cycle:
• Lifespan: RBCs have a lifespan of about 120 days. The liver and spleen remove aging RBCs
from circulation.
• Production and Destruction: New RBCs are produced in the bone marrow through a process
called erythropoiesis, which is stimulated by the hormone erythropoietin (EPO). Old, damaged,
or abnormal RBCs are broken down by the spleen.
4. Function:
• Oxygen Transport: The primary function of RBCs is to transport oxygen from the lungs to
the tissues. Each RBC carries millions of hemoglobin molecules, and each hemoglobin
molecule can bind up to four oxygen molecules.
• Carbon Dioxide Transport: RBCs also help transport carbon dioxide, a waste product of
cellular respiration, from the tissues to the lungs, where it is exhaled.
5. Variability and Disorders:
• Variability: The size, shape, and hemoglobin content of RBCs can vary, and such variability
may be indicative of various medical conditions. For example, a larger than normal size
(macrocytosis) can occur in conditions like vitamin B12 deficiency, and a smaller size
(microcytosis) can occur in conditions like iron deficiency anemia.
• Disorders: There are several disorders associated with RBCs, including anemia (low RBC
count or low hemoglobin), polycythemia (high RBC count), and sickle cell disease (a genetic
disorder that affects the shape and function of the RBCs).
In summary, RBCs are crucial components of the blood, playing an essential role in gas transport and
exchange, contributing to the body's overall homeostasis. Any deviations from their normal properties
can have significant implications on human health.

5. B.Sc. MLT Haematology Quick Summary Notes
Attuluri Vamsi Kumar I Assistant professor I Dept of MLT I Ph No: 7416660584 I Website: mltmaster.com

6. B.Sc. MLT Haematology Quick Summary Notes
Attuluri Vamsi Kumar I Assistant professor I Dept of MLT I Ph No: 7416660584 I Website: mltmaster.com