Chapter 11 - BIO 110

Main functions of blood

Transportation, protection, regulation (pH temperature)

Plasma

Liquid that makes up about 55% of blood.

Function of plasma proteins

Help water flow between blood and cells.

Albumins

Important for blood's water-balancing ability.

Globulins transport

Transport lipids and fat-soluble vitamins; some function as antibodies.

Platelets

Fragments of larger precursor cells called megakaryocytes.

Essential function of platelets

Blood clotting.

Leukocytes

White blood cells.

Function of white blood cells

Removes wastes, toxins, and damaged/abnormal cells; helps defend the body against disease.

Neutrophils

Engulf microbes by phagocytosis which curbs the spread of infection; the most abundant WBCs.

Eosinophils

Defend against parasitic worms; they also lessen the severity of allergies.

Basophils

Release histamine that attracts other white blood cells and causes blood vessels to dilate.

Monocytes

Largest of the formed elements; develop into macrophages.

B Lymphocytes

Give rise to plasma cells, which produce antibodies.

T Lymphocytes

Kill cells not recognized as coming from the body, or cells that are cancerous.

Main function of red blood cells

Transport oxygen to the cells.

Oxyhemoglobin

Hemoglobin bound with oxygen.

Hemoglobin

Oxygen-binding pigment in RBCs

Lifecycle of a red blood cell

Produced in red bone marrow, live about 120 days.

Red blood cell production

Regulated by a negative feedback mechanism, production typically matches destruction.

Anemia

Reduced ability of blood to carry oxygen, due to too little hemoglobin, too few RBCs, or both.

How blood types are determined

By the antigen (protein) found on the surface of RBCs.

Rh factor

An important antigen; Rh-positive individuals have Rh antigens, Rh-negative individuals lack Rh antigens.

Steps of blood clotting

Vessel constricts and platelets form a plug to seal the leak.