BIOL2263 - Blood and Immune

Components of blood

Plasma and formed elements

Plasma

The liquid part of blood that is made of mostly water, proteins, and electrolytes

Formed elements

Erythrocytes (most abundant), leukocytes, and platelets

Centrifuged blood

Erythrocytes (RBCs)

Anucleated, biconcaved cell that contains hemoglobin and transports oxygen and CO2

Hemoglobin

Red-pigmented protein that contains four globin proteins (2 alpha and 2 beta) with a heme group in each globin protein, which contains iron to bind to O2/CO2

Antigen

Surface proteins on the plasma membrane that determine the ABO blood type of blood

Rh antigen

An additional antigen that could be present along side the AB antigens; Rh- individials develop anti-Rh antibodies in response to exposure to Rh+ blood

Antibody

A protein that attaches to a specific, foreign antigen of another blood type (e.g., anti-A antibodies of type B blood attach to antigen A of type A blood if transfused)

Structure of antibodies

-Contains 4 total changes: 2 light chains (shorter) and 2 heavy chains (longer)

-Variable region = specific region where the structure of the antigen fits into the end of the antibody

-Constant region = region that remains the same in all antibodies

Agglutination

Clumping of erythrocytes, where antibodies and antigens come into contact

Chart of blood types

-AB+ = Universal recipient

-O- = Universal donor

-Rh+ individuals can only donate to Rh+

-Rh- individuals can donate to both Rh+ and Rh-

Hematocrit

Percentage of blood volume occupied by erythrocytes

-Men = 42-56%

-Women = 38-46%

Hemoglobin levels

Amount of hemoglobin present in blood per g/dL (amount of oxygen that can be carried)

-Men = 13.5-17.5 g/dL

-Women = 12-15.5 g/dL

Anemia

A lack of erythrocytes and hemoglobin, causing a lack of perfusion

Leukocytes (WBCs)

Cells in the blood that are involved in immune response

Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas

Granulocytes

Leukocytes that have visible granules in their cytoplasm; neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils

Agranulocytes

Leukocytes that do not have visible granules in their cytoplasm; lymphocytes and monocytes

Neutrophils

Most abundant leukocyte that have a multilobed nucleus and pale-staining granules

Neutrophils function

"First responders" that engulf bacteria

Eosinophils

Leukocytes that have a bilobed nucleus and reddish-staining granules

Eosinophils function

Phagocytize allergens, antigen-antibody complexes, and parasitic worms

Basophils

Leukocytes with a bilobed nucleus and bluish-staining granules

Basophils function

Release histamine and heparin in response to allergen exposure

Lymphocytes

Leukocytes that only have a large, dark-staining nucleus visible

Lymphocytes function

Manage immune responses, produce antibodies, and attack cancerous/abnormal tissue

B-cells

Lymphocytes that mature in the bone marrow and produce antibodies

T-cells

Lymphocytes that mature in the thymus and control and internalize immune responses (memory cells)

Monocytes

Largest leukocytes that have a large, c-shaped nucleus

Monocytes function

Transform into macrophages and phagocytize bacteria, viruses, and debris