Blood Composition & Types

Transportation

Delivers oxygen, nutrients, and hormones throughout the body

Protection

White blood cells fight infection; platelets help with clotting

Regulation

Maintains pH, temperature, and fluid balance

Blood type A

A Antigen

Blood type B

B Antigen

Blood Type O

No A or B antigens; Universal Donors

Blood type AB

Both A and B antigens; Universal Recipient

Total Blood Volume

100%

Plasma: 55% (liquid portion)

Water: 91%, Proteins 7% (Albumins 58%, Globulins 38%, Fibrinogen 4%) Other solutions 2%

Formed Elements: 45% (cellular portion)

Buffy Coat: 1%

Red blood Cells normal count

4.0-5.6 million/mm

Red blood cells function

Transport oxygen via hemoglobin

Red blood cells lifespan

110-120 days

Red blood cells are removed by

Liver and spleen

White blood cells normal count

3540-9060 thousand/mm

White blood cells function

Immune defense against infection

White blood cell types and percentages

Neutrophils: 40-70%, Lymphocytes: 20-50%, Monocytes: 4-8%, Eosinophils: 0-6%, Basophils 0-2%

Important note for White blood cells

Thrombocytes (platelets) are NOT leukocytes

Platelets (Thrombocytes)

Normal Count: 165,000-415,000/mm

Function: Blood clotting and hemostasis

Hermat/o or hem/o

Means blood

erythr/o

Means red (red blood cells)

Leuk/o

Means white (white blood cells)

Embolus

A moving, unnecessary clot (dangerous)

Thrombus

A stationary, unnecessary clot

Anemia

Insufficient red blood cells or hemoglobin; cannot carry enough oxygen

Polycythemia

Excess red blood cells

Hemophilia

Blood clotting disorder

Thrombocytopenia

Deficient platelet count

Goblin chains

Broken down to free amino aids; recycled to bone marrow

Heme

Broken down to iron and bilirubin