Lesson 2: Blood

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells

• Small enough to pass through capillaries

• Lasts for 120 days before replenishing

• Produced in the red bone marrow

Normal RBCs count

4 million to 6.5 million RBC/ml

Erythropoietin

Hormone that stimulates cells of the bone marrow to increase the production of red blood cells.

Polycythemia

increase in red blood cells, causes blood to be thicker and more dense.

Leukocytes

White blood cells

Normal WBC count

5,000-10,000 WBCs per mm³

Leukocytosis

High white blood cell count

Leukopenia

Low white cell count

Plasma

• Largest portion of blood (55%).

• Called serum after centrifugation

• Light yellow liquid when separated from other components

• Used to remove waste from the body

Plasma is made up of…

• Water

• Proteins

• Glucose

• hormones

Buffy Coat is made up of…

• Leukocytes

• Platelets

Hematocrit is made up of…

RBCs

AB Blood Type

Universal recipient

O Blood Type

Universal donor

A Blood Type

Receives A and O

B Blood Type

Receives B and O

Anemia

Caused by decreased RBCs

Leukemia

Bone marrow produces a large number of abnormal WBCs

Sickle Cell Disease

• Genetic disorder where RBCs change shape, can’t carry oxygen.

• More common in African-Americans.

Platelets

• Thrombocytes

• Tiny, colorless cell fragments in the blood that clump together to form clots and stop bleeding.

Normal thrombocytes count

130,000 to 360,000 per mm³ of blood

Thrombocytopenia

Low platelet levels

Thrombocytosis

High platelet levels

Hemostasis

Stopping of a flow of blood

Coagulation

Process of clotting, formation of a blood clot

Thrombus

A stationary blood clot

Embolus

A traveling blood clot

Polycythemia vera

Disease of the bone marrow that results in an abnormally high number of blood cells

Thalassemia

Inherited form of anemia; defective hemoglobin chain causes small, pale, and short lived RBCs

Blood makes up…

• 4-6 liters per adult

• 8% of body weight

Blood’s Functions

• Carries oxygen and nutrients

• Removes carbon dioxide and wastes

• Regulates body temperature

Hematocrit

• Measuring the packed RBCs volume

• Normally 45%

Hemoglobin

Oxygen in RBCs that is distributed to the body

Neutrophils

• 55% of blood

• Elevated in bacterial infections

Eosinophils

• 3% of blood

• Elevated in asthma, allergic reactions, or parasite infections

Basophils

• <1% of blood

• Releases histamine and heparin, promote inflammation

Lymphocytes

Make antibodies, increased in viral infections (AIDS)

T Cells

Fighter cells in lymphocytes

• Fights off viral infections

B Cells

Memory cells in lymphocytes

• Trained to fight viral infections.

Monocytes

• Largest cell.

• Destroys germs, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and eliminates infected cells.

Rh Factor

An inherited protein found on the surface of red blood cells.

Rh Positive

Blood has Rh protein

• Most common blood type

Rh negative

Blood lacks the Rh protein

1st Unmatched Rh Transfusion

Antibodies develop

2nd Unmatched Rh Transfusion

Agglutination occurs

Agglutination

the clumping together of red blood cells or bacteria when antibodies bind to surface antigens

Erythroblastosis

Mother develops antibodies to the Rh antigen in prior pregnancy.

• Mother's immune system attacks her baby's red blood cells

Albumin

Most common protein found in plasma