Blood

Erythrocytes, or red blood cells, are the most numerous of the blood cells. They lack nuclei and the typical organelles. Erythrocytes are shaped like biconcave discs and are specialized for the transport of oxygen.

Leucocytes, or white blood cells, can be divided into two categories: those with specific granules (granulocytes) and those without specific granules (agranulocytes). All leucocytes possess nonspecific granules, which are actually lysosomes. Leucocytes are transported by the blood but are not functional until they leave the blood to enter a connective tissue.

Granulocytes are white blood cells that possess specific granules; these granules aid in distinguishing one type of granulocyte from another. The three types of granulocytes are neutrophils (with neutral-staining granules), eosinophils (with red, eosin-staining granules) and basophils (whose granules stain dark purple with basic dyes).

Agranulocytes are leucocytes that lack specific granules, although nonspecific granules (lysosomes) are present. The two types of agranular leucocytes are monocytes and lymphocytes.

Platelets (thrombocytes) are fragments of megakaryocytes (located in bone marrow) that are released into the blood stream. Platelets adhere to collagen beneath a defective endothelium, forming a plug. Secondarily, they initiate the blood clotting cascade, which results in the formation of an insoluble fibrin network, stabilizing the plug.

Plasma is composed primarily of water, which is a solvent for the proteins albumin, immunoglobulins, non-immune proteins and fibrinogen, the precursor to fibrin fibers. Dissolved gases, electrolytes, nutrients, hormones, enzymes and wastes are present. Plasma is not preserved during histologic preparation of the blood smear and, thus, appears as the clear spaces surrounding cells.