Blood and Biofeedback - (Pages 8-15) Lab 2

How did the hematocrits of the Denver residents differ from those of the Boston residents? Why?

The hematocrits for the Denver residents were higher. This is because there is less oxygen in the air at higher elevation.

Describe how the kidneys respond to a chronic decrease in oxygen and the effect this has on hematocrit.

The kidneys respond to decreased oxygen by releasing more EPO (erythropoietin), which stimulates red blood cell production.

Aplastic anemia can result from.....

the destruction of RBCs or the inhibition of red bone marrow

Iron deficiency is often accompanied by....

a low hematocrit

Glycoproteins characteristics

-attach to the external surface of our body's (cell membranes)

-are genetically determined and very across individuals

What are the two most important categories of plasma membrane glycoproteins?

-ABO groups

-Rh systems

ABO groups and the Rh system are easily detected on the surface of erythrocytes; these proteins are called....

Antigens

What is the purpose of antigens?

-Serve as a means of intercellular recognition

-Help determine "self" v.s. "non-self" for the immune system

What does the immune system do if foreign antigens are introduced to the body?

Responds by making soluble proteins in the blood plasma called antibodies that attack the antigen

What is the defense mechanism of the ABO group?

The blood plasma with a particular antigen has pre-formed antibodies against the other possible antigen types

When are anti-Rh antibodies generally only made?

When an Rh- person is exposed to Rh-positive blood

What is agglutination, and when does it happen?

When the presence of an antibody towards the transfused blood causes the donor's blood cells to clump

Under emergency conditions, which blood type can receive from the most other types? Why?

Type AB positive can receive blood from all other types because its red blood cells do not have antibodies against A, B, or Rh antigens

Under emergency conditions, which blood type can donate to the most other types? Why?

Type O negative can donate to most other blood types because they lack A, B, and Rh antigens on their surface, preventing any immune system reaction in the recipient.

What blood type is considered the universal donor?

Type O

What blood type is considered the universal recipient?

Type AB

What blood type does not agglutinate with any antibodies, and why?

Type O- because it has no target antigens present on the cells

When relaxed, what autonomic nervous system is dominant, what is the heart rate pace, and what is reflected in the electrodermal activity (EDA)?

1. Parasympathetic

2. Heart rate is slow and or decreasing

3. No sweat present

When aroused, what autonomic nervous system is dominant, what is the heart rate pace, and what is reflected in the electrodermal activity (EDA)?

1. Sympathetic

2. Heart rate is fast and or increasing

3. Sweating is produced

What nerve would be firing at a faster rate in order to slow the heart during relaxation?

CN X - vagus