Abstract:

The examination and drawing of blood cells observed in blood smears.

Hints & Tips:

- As with most microscopic investigations the key to really clear images is thin preparations, ideally just one cell thick. Students will be achieving a thin sample by smearing the blood across a slide. At the start of the smear, it might be too thick to see individual cells but at the far end of the smear, it will thin right out to single cells. 

- To prepare 100 cm³ of buffered water, mix 56 cm³ potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution (9.08 g per litre) with 44 cm³ of a solution of di-sodium hydrogen phosphate (v)-12-hydrate (11.88 g per litre).

- It would be good to have some pre-prepared slides availablefor students to refer to (the slide is tricky to get right).