Life Sciences Nanotheater

Normal and Sickled Red Blood Cells

Normal and sickled human red blood cells. Sample preparation consisted of a standard smear on a glass slide. The rigid contour of the sickled cell (center) contrasts with the normal red blood cells; note the sickled cell has indented the softer red blood cell. Three spicules (top left of cell), approximately 0.5 to 1.0µm long, project out from the sickled cell, denoting rearrangement of intracellular hemoglobin molecules. Sample courtesy of Sansum Medical Clinic, Santa Barbara, CA.