When a blood sample is hemolyzed, which component is primarily affected?

When a blood sample is hemolyzed, the primary component affected is red blood cells. Hemolysis refers to the destruction of red blood cells, resulting in the release of hemoglobin into the surrounding plasma. This can occur due to various factors such as improper handling of the blood sample, mechanical rupture during processing, or pathological conditions.

As red blood cells are the ones undergoing lysis, this process can significantly impact the accuracy of laboratory tests. For instance, the release of hemoglobin can interfere with tests that measure other analytes, potentially leading to erroneous results. Additionally, hemolysis can alter the concentration of certain substances in the plasma and may cause a change in color, often giving a pink or red hue to the serum, which can complicate interpretation.

While platelets, white blood cells, and serum may also play vital roles in various aspects of blood analysis, they are not directly affected by the phenomenon of hemolysis in the same way that red blood cells are. Thus, recognizing the impact of hemolysis on red blood cells is crucial for accurate laboratory diagnostics.