PHYSIO: Ch.14 - Blood, Heart and Circulation I

Which gender has a higher HCT and why?

♂> ♀ because testosterone promotes RBC production

Describe the components and consistency of blood plasma. Be specific about the plasma proteins! (4)

• Water - 92%

• Ions - mostly Na+

• Nutrients, Wastes, Hormones, Enzymes

Plasma Proteins;

• Albumin: very large, maintains blood volume by causing osmotic pressure

• Alpha + Beta Globulins: transport lipids

• Gamma globulins: antibodies

• Fibrinogen: clotting

WBC/ Leukocytes

WBC: HAS nucleus + mitochondria and travels through the blood vessels to get to the site (NLMEB)

Granular:

• Neutrophils: phagocytic and first line of defense

• Eosinophil: parasitic infection

• Basophils: inflammation (BOMBS.)

Agranular:

• Lymphocytes: Killer T + Helper B

• Monocytes: precursor to Macrophages

RBC/ Eukrocytes + What is hemoglobin? Describe its structure?  How many oxygen molecules can it carry?  Can it carry carbon dioxide?

Biconcave discs with NO nucleus and NO mitochondria to INCREASE surface a² + Hb

Hemoglobin:

• red pigment protein w/ 4 globin subunits; e/subunit has a heme with iron and can transport up to 4 O²

• it CAN’T carry CO2 as is, must first convert into HCO-³

Platelets/Thrombocytes

Cell fragments with no nucleus, abundant vesicles and travel through the blood vessels to get to the site.

Describe the process of hematopoiesis (blood cell formation). What hormones drive it?

Erthyropoiesis: