Cardiovascular System Anatomy - Week 4 Part 2

What determines a person's blood group?

The presence or absence of antigens on red blood cells.

What is found on the surface of red blood cells?

Antigens.

What are the two main blood group systems?

ABO and Rh.

What are the possible types in the ABO blood group?

A, B, AB, or O.

What are the possible types in the Rh blood group?

Positive or negative.

What are white blood cells also called?

Leukocytes

What cellular structures do white blood cells contain?

Nucleus and organelles

What is the primary role of white blood cells?

Contribute to immune response

How are white blood cells classified?

Granular or agranular

What does the globin component of haemoglobin consist of?

Four polypeptide chains

How many heme groups are bound to haemoglobin?

One bound to each chain

What is the role of iron in haemoglobin?

It is the O2 binding site on each heme

Physical characteristics of blood

Sticky, viscous, slightly alkaline fluid, with a temperature of ~38⁰C.

Blood color

Bright red when saturated, dark red when unsaturated.

Average blood volume

4-6 L

Blood composition

Made up of plasma and formed elements.