title: Functions and diseases of red and white blood cells.
abstract: Red and white blood cells have two main functions: the carriage of oxygen; and defence against microbial attack. The full blood count is one of the most frequently requested routine blood tests; it provides key indices such as haemoglobin and the number of white cell subsets, and provides information to aid diagnosis of a range of conditions, including anaemia, infection, leukaemia, myeloma and lymphoma.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blann
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology