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Hematology Lab
Introduction
Blood work is essential to let doctors know if there are any diseases or abnormal conditions in their patients. It helps check organ function, like the liver, thyroid, and more. There are multiple tests that are used to test specific organs, blood levels, and hormone levels in the body. Chemistry panels are used to determine a patient’s overall health. Many medical practices also use CBC tests, which accounts for the amount of cells in somebody’s blood. We will be comparing dog and human blood levels today. We will also be determining everyone’s blood type. (WARNING: if you are uncomfortable with getting your blood drawn, you do not have to, but the more results, the better. It would also be wise to bring a snack for those of you that are participating in this lab.)
Equipment & Materials
- Syringes
- EDTA tubes
- Blood typing kit
- Cortisol machine and counterparts
- Wright’s staining kit
- CBC machine
Pre-Lab Questions
1. What are the different blood types? What makes them different?
2. What does a hematocrit test? What does CBC stand for and what does it test?
3. What is cortisol and how is a normal number maintained? What is the normal range of cortisol?
4. Why is erythropoietin so important in the body?
5. What are the steps for a Wright’s stain? What are the different blood cells (I.e. lymphocytes, neutrophils, basophils, platelets, erythrocytes)?
Activity 1
Get your blood drawn. We will then be using Wright’s stain to determine what kind of cells you have in your body.
Steps:
- Prepare blood on a microscope slide. Allow to air dry.
- Place on a stain rack.
- Cover slide in stain with undiluted staining solution.
- Let stand for 2-3 minutes.
- Add an equal amount of buffered water.
- Rinse smear with water until the edges of the slide are a pinkish color.
- Blot dry carefully.
| Name | Cell Types |
| 1 | |
| 1 |
Activity 2:
When your blood was drawn for the blood typing part, describe your blood. What color was it? Was it viscous or thin and watery? Regardless of your answer, describe what this means in terms of your health.
Activity 3:
Compare the CBC values of the animal subjects.
Are there any elevated values? If so, define them and what this means in regards to their health.
If there are no elevations, choose at least 5 values and explain what they mean and what they test for.
| Name | Cell and Value | Cell and Value | Cell and Value | Cell and Value | Cell and Value |
| Pepper | |||||
| Gidget | |||||
| Memphis |
Activity 4:
Compare cortisol values in our three animals. Describe what their value means.
| Name | Cortisol Value | Description |
| Pepper | ||
| Gidget | ||
| Memphis |
Activity 5:
Obtain a hematocrit from each member in your group. Discuss what your value means.
(Notice the length of the column of the packed cells and divide it by the length of the whole column of blood. Take this hematocrit and multiply it by 100%.)
| Name | Hematocrit % |
| 1 | |
| 1 |
Activity 6:
Place blood samples in a well plate. An antigen plasma will be used for each blood type. Gently stir the concoction for 30 seconds. (Remember to use a different stirring stick for each sample.)If the blood and plasma show agglutination, then that antigen is not compatible with your body.
| Name | A antigen | B antigen | Rh factor |
| 1 | |||
| 1 |
Post-Lab Questions
1. How does blood type testing work?
2. Was the hematocrit higher in males or females? Explain your answer.
3. CBC gives you information about the cell types in blood, what disorders can this test detect?
4. Based on your blood type, what blood can you receive?
5. What does a Wright’s stain test for?
