Different techniques for showing blood cells
There are many ways of looking at cells and capturing what they look like. We've chosen 12 different images of blood cells to show how red blood cells, white blood cells and bone marrow can be visualised with different techniques.
Image research by Laura Pastorelli; captions by Chrissie Giles, adapted from Wellcome Images.
Eosinophil and red blood cells
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IMAGE 1 of 12
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Light microscopy image showing an eosinophil among red blood cells. Eosinophils are granulocytes, specialised white blood cells with highly granular cytoplasm and a multi-lobed nucleus. Produced in the bone marrow, eosinophils migrate to tissues, attracted by chemicals released at sites of cell destruction. They defend against parasites, and are phagocytic.
Credit: Spike Walker, Wellcome Images.
Credit: Spike Walker, Wellcome Images.
White blood cell
IMAGE 2 of 12
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Digital artwork of a single white blood cell (leukocyte). These cells circulate in the blood around the body and target sites of infection. There are different types of white blood cells that carry out specific roles within the immune system.
Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images.
Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images.
T cells
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IMAGE 3 of 12
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False-colour light microscopy image of human T cells.
Credit: Wellcome Images
Credit: Wellcome Images
White blood cell
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IMAGE 4 of 12
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False-colour scanning electron micrograph of a human white blood cell (leukocyte) on a mesh of fibrin. Fibrin is an important protein in the formation of blood clots.
Credit: Anne Weston, LRI, CRUK, Wellcome Images.
Credit: Anne Weston, LRI, CRUK, Wellcome Images.
White and red blood cells
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IMAGE 5 of 12
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False-colour transmission electron micrograph of a small lymphocyte surrounded by a number of red blood cells.
Credit: University of Edinburgh, Wellcome Images.
Credit: University of Edinburgh, Wellcome Images.
White blood cell
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IMAGE 6 of 12
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False-coloured transmission electron micrograph of a leukocyte (white blood cell). Nuclear lobes are shown by the label B.
Credit: David Gregory and Debbie Marshall, Wellcome Images.
Credit: David Gregory and Debbie Marshall, Wellcome Images.
Lymphocyte and red blood cell
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IMAGE 7 of 12
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False-coloured scanning electron micrograph image of a lymphocyte and a red blood cell.
Credit: Wellcome Images.
Credit: Wellcome Images.
Transmigration of lymphocytes
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IMAGE 8 of 12
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Enhanced confocal microscope image of lymphocytes (red), comprising natural killer cells and T cells, which are migrating between and through cultured endothelial cells (outlined in green). The lymphocytes can move both between the endothelial cells and straight through their cytoplasm. Endothelial cells line the blood vessels, and this migratory mechanism allows the lymphocytes to move rapidly from the blood out into the tissues when required.
Credit: Dr David Becker, Wellcome Images.
Credit: Dr David Becker, Wellcome Images.
Bone marrow
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IMAGE 9 of 12
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Light microscopy image of bone marrow. Red blood cells can be seen in red.
Credit: Ivor Mason, Wellcome Images.
Credit: Ivor Mason, Wellcome Images.
Blood film
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IMAGE 10 of 12
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Light microscopy image showing a normal blood film with red blood cells and several white blood cells (leukocytes). Blood films are small amounts of blood smeared across a slide and examined under the microscope. They can be used to investigate disorders of the blood and some parasitic infections, including malaria.
Credit: Wellcome Images.
Credit: Wellcome Images.
Blood cells
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IMAGE 11 of 12
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Digital artwork showing microscopic detail of red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells.
Credit: Wellcome Images.
Credit: Wellcome Images.
Red blood cells
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IMAGE 12 of 12
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Scanning electron micrograph of red blood cells clearly showing their biconcave disc shape.
Credit: Annie Cavanagh, Wellcome Images.
Credit: Annie Cavanagh, Wellcome Images.