Blood Lecture Notes

Flashcards on blood and its components, functions, and blood types.

Blood

Specialized fluid that delivers nutrients and wastes throughout the body through blood vessels.

8%

The percentage of total body weight that blood makes up.

7.4

The approximate pH of blood.

Functions of Blood

Carries oxygen and nutrients to cells; moves CO2 and nitrogenous wastes from tissues to lungs and kidneys; regulates body temperature; protection.

White Blood Cells

Clear in color.

Plasma

Yellow in color.

RBCs

Red to dark in color; numbers are dependent on oxygen levels.

Plasma

The liquid portion of the blood, making up about 55% of the blood by volume and is mostly water (about 90%).

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells that carry oxygen to all living body cells, do not have a nucleus, and live for about 120 days.

Leukocytes

White blood cells that protect the body from infection from viruses, bacteria, parasites, tumors, etc.

Platelets (Thrombocytes)

Needed for clotting when there is a rupture/break in the blood vessels.

Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells)

Biconcave, anucleate disc that transports oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Leukocytes (White Blood Cells)

Spherical, nucleated cells involved in immune response.

Neutrophil

Phagocytize bacteria.

Eosinophil

Kill parasitic worms; destroy antigen-antibody complexes; inactivate some inflammatory chemicals of allergy.

Basophil

Release histamine and other mediators of inflammation; contain heparin, an anticoagulant.

Lymphocyte

Mount immune response by direct cell attack or via antibodies.

Monocyte

Phagocytosis; develop into macrophages in the tissues.

Platelets

Seal small tears in blood vessels; instrumental in blood clotting.

Human Blood Groups

Four basic human blood groups: A, B, AB, and O; also includes Rh factor (+ or -).

Blood Groups

Groups based on absence or presence of antigens on the surface of the RBC.

Universal Donor

Type O.

Universal Receiver

Type AB.