Facts The function of red blood cells is to carry oxygen. Oxygen is carried by the hemoglobin molecule inside the red blood cell. Red blood cells must move easily through the tiny capillaries.
Purpose To examine and compare slides of normal and sickled red blood cells.
Materials Prepared slides of normal and sickled red blood cells. (Carolina Biological). Microscope.
Procedure
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1. Directions will be included to make your own slide or examine the prepared slide of normal red blood cells. -Locate the cells under low and then high power.
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2.
Draw
and
title
several of the normal red blood cells in the space provided below.
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3. Examine the slide of sickled red blood cells under low and then high power.
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4.
Draw
and
label
in the space below.
(figure available in print form)
Questions
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1. Describe the shape of normal red blood cells. _______________
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2. Describe the shape of sickled red blood cells._______________
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____________________________________________________________
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3. Explain why sickled red blood cells do not easily move through capillaries. _______________________________________________________
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4. Discuss the reason why sickled red blood cells do not carry as much oxygen as normal red blood cells. ___________________________________
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____________________________________________________________
Homework Find the origin and discovery of the trait and disease.
Note: Carolina Biological has a Biokit (70-4001) that is designed to perform a modern clinical test. Students use samples of their own blood to observe normal blood morphology and to simulate the sickle cell abnormality in crisis. Microscope Slides of Sickle Cell Anemia, (PH 1015) and Sickle Cell and Hemoglobin C. (PH 1016) peripheral blood film showing both of these hemoglobinopathies existing together.