Using the 10X objective, identify white blood cells (leukocytes) with lobulated nuclei, the granulocytes.

• Note their size compared to red blood cells.
• The most abundant granulocytes are neutrophils.

Clinical note: A large accumulation of neutrophils, especially dead and dying neutrophils that have engulfed many bacteria, constitutes “pus.” Pus formation is a normal part of an infection that occurs within connective tissue or a tissue space.

Look for the other two types of granulocytes:

• Eosinophils and
• Basophils, named for staining properties of their cytoplasmic granules.
• These cells will be difficult to find because respectively they represent only 2-4% and <1% of the circulating leukocytes.

How do the functions of eosinophils and basophils differ from each other and from neutrophils?

Want to try for a lymphocyte?