Download Complete Blood Count PSI AP Biology

Complete Blood Count
PSI AP Biology
Name: _________________________
Objective
Students will examine how the immunological response affects molecules in the blood. Students will
analyze three complete blood counts and create diagnoses based on them.
Standard
Essential Knowledge:
2D1a : Cell activities are affected by interactions with biotic and abiotic factors.
2D4 : Plants and animals have a variety of chemical defenses against infections that affect dynamic
homeostasis.
Materials
Every student needs: Activity worksheet
Procedure
1. Read the worksheet.
2. Answer the Analysis and Application questions.
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PSI AP Biology
Cells: The Basis of Life
Complete Blood Count
Cells are affected by a variety of biotic and abiotic factors. Examples of abiotic factors include
temperature, pH, and water availability. Biotic factors include pathogens that enter and/or attack an
individual. When this occurs, the immune system creates a response that defends the body against the
pathogen.
During an immunological response, the levels of different molecules in the blood will change in response
to the specific pathogen. By analyzing the molecules in the blood, medical professionals assess the
health of their patients. This type of analysis is called a Complete Blood Count, or CBC. A CBC analyzes
red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leucocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes).
Erythrocytes – deliver oxygen throughout the body


Red Blood Cell count (RBC) – a count of the actual number of red blood cells in a sample
Hemoglobin (Hb) – a count of the hemoglobin in the sample
Leucocytes – cells of the immune system that defend the body against infection


White Blood Cell count (WBC) – a count of the actual number of white blood cells in a sample
White blood cell differential – count the different types of white blood cells
o Neutrophils – target bacteria and fungi; act as macrophages
o Lymphocytes – associated with B cells, T cells and natural killer cells (release antibodies
and attack viruses and tumor cells)
o Monocytes – differentiate into macrophages that engulf pathogens
o Eosinophils – target larger parasites
o Basophils – release histamine for the inflammatory response
Thrombocytes – important for the formation of blood clots

Platelet count – a count of the actual number of platelets in a sample
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PSI AP Biology
Cells: The Basis of Life
The following chart details conditions that would cause abnormal counts for each of the above blood
counts.
Test
RBC
Full Name
Red blood cell count
Low Values
Called anemia.
Caused by:
Acute/chronic bleeding
Nutritional deficiency
Bone marrow disorder
Kidney failure
Anemia
Called leukopenia.
Caused by:
Bone marrow disorders
Autoimmune conditions
Severe infections (sepsis)
Immune system diseases
(ex. HIV)
Called neutropenia.
Caused by:
Sepsis
Autoimmune disorder
Leukemia
Called lymphocytopenia.
Caused by:
Autoimmune disorders
Infections
High Values
Called polycythemia.
Caused by:
Dehydration
Pulmonary disease
Smoking
Hb
WBC
Hemoglobin
White blood cell count
Neu
Neutrophils
Lymph
Lymphocytes
Mono
Monocytes
One low count is not
medically significant.
Eos
Eosophils
Numbers are normally low.
Baso
Basophils
Numbers are normally low.
Plt
Platelet count
Called thrombocytopenia.
Caused by:
Viral infection
Cirrhosis
Sepsis
Leukemia
Caused by:
Chronic infection
Infection of the heart
Caused by:
Allergies, asthma
Parasitic infections
Inflammatory disorders
Caused by:
Rare allergic reactions
Inflammation
Called thrombocytosis.
Caused by:
Rheumatoid arthritis
IBS
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PSI AP Biology
Usually mirrors the RBC results.
Called leukocytosis.
Caused by:
Bacterial/viral infection
Inflammation
Leukemia
Allergies, asthma
Called neutrophilia.
Caused by:
Acute bacterial infection
Inflammation
Called lymphocytosis.
Caused by:
Acute viral infections
Certain bacterial infections
(pertussis, tuberculosis)
Toxoplasmosis
Chronic inflammatory disease
Cells: The Basis of Life
Analysis
For the following three cases, read the patient’s description and analyze the CBC to make a diagnosis
about what is causing the different cell densities.
1. Patient Description
17-year-old female is suffering from shortness of breath and exhaustion. Last year she was the
MVP on her cross country team but this year she is having trouble finishing practice.
CBC
Test
RBC
Hb
WBC
Neu
Lymph
Mono
Eos
Baso
Plt
Result
3.8
8.5
7.2
4.0
2.6
0.4
0.1
0.1
275
Normal Range
4.10-5.60
12.5-17.0
4.0-10.5
1.8-7.8
0.7-4.5
0.1-1.0
0.0-0.4
0.0-0.2
140-415
Diagnosis:
Why?
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PSI AP Biology
Cells: The Basis of Life
2. Patient Description
Middle aged male is complaining about itchy, watery eyes, exhaustion, congestion, and body
aches.
CBC
Test
RBC
Hb
WBC
Neu
Lymph
Mono
Eos
Baso
Plt
Result
4.6
14.3
15.2
4.6
10.0
0.3
0.2
0.1
115
Normal Range
4.10-5.60
12.5-17.0
4.0-10.5
1.8-7.8
0.7-4.5
0.1-1.0
0.0-0.4
0.0-0.2
140-415
Diagnosis:
Why?
3. Patient Description
A stay-at-home mom has a high fever and is complaining of a severely sore throat.
CBC
Test
RBC
Hb
WBC
Neu
Lymph
Mono
Eos
Baso
Plt
Result
4.2
13.0
12.8
9.5
2.4
0.6
0.2
0.1
325
Normal Range
4.10-5.60
12.5-17.0
4.0-10.5
1.8-7.8
0.7-4.5
0.1-1.0
0.0-0.4
0.0-0.2
140-415
Diagnosis:
Why?
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PSI AP Biology
Cells: The Basis of Life
Application
1. Why is it important to analyze the CBC as well as the patient description?
2. Explain how a low hemoglobin count can cause a person to have trouble running.
3. How does an animal’s immune system usually fight bacterial pathogens? How would this show up
on a CBC?
4. Should antibiotics be given for a viral infection? Why or why not?
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PSI AP Biology
Cells: The Basis of Life