Human Anatomy and Physiology: Blood

Blood - Detailed Study Notes
Overview
  • Author: Karen Dunbar Kareiva
  • Institution: Ivy Tech Community College
  • Copyright: © 2019, 2016, 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.
Learning Objectives
  • Functions and Composition of Blood: Blood is a liquid connective tissue consisting of cells surrounded by plasma. Functions include transport, regulation, and protection.
  • Structure and Function of Formed Elements: Formed elements include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, each serving distinct roles in the body.
  • Major Plasma Components: Plasma comprises about 55% of blood volume and contains:
    • Water: 91.5%
    • Proteins: 7% (Albumins, Globulins, Fibrinogen)
    • Albumins: Maintain osmotic pressure
    • Globulins: Play roles in immune response
    • Fibrinogen: Essential for blood clotting.
    • Other Solutes: 1.5%
  • Hematopoiesis: The process by which stem cells differentiate into mature blood cells, including erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets.
  • Red Blood Cell Characteristics: RBCs are biconcave discs without a nucleus. Hemoglobin within binds oxygen for transport.
  • Erythropoiesis: The formation of RBCs stimulated by erythropoietin.
  • Anemia: Abnormal lab values include low RBC count; types include iron-deficiency anemia, aplastic anemia, etc., with various causes.
  • White Blood Cells: Categorization by type; structural and functional differences noted for neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, lymphocytes.
  • Differential Count: Clinical significance of leukocyte counts assessed; identification of leukemia, leukopenia, leukocytosis addressed.
  • Platelet Structure and Function: Essential for clotting, their production and role are discussed.
Hemostasis
  • Three Phases of Hemostasis: Vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and coagulation. Each phase serves to effectively prevent blood loss.
  • Clotting Cascade: Differentiates between intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, with key actors such as Ca²⁺, prothrombinase, thrombin, prothrombin, fibrinogen, and fibrin.
  • Fibrinolysis: The breakdown of fibrin in blood clots and its implications in conditions such as thrombosis, thrombus, embolus, and embolism.
  • Thrombocytosis and Thrombocytopenia: Definitions and significance of abnormal platelet counts.
Blood Types
  • ABO and Rh Blood Types: Distinction between antigens on RBCs and antibodies in plasma; explanations of blood type designations A, B, AB, O and Rh factors.
  • Universal Donor and Recipient: Understanding why type O- is the universal donor and AB+ is the universal recipient.
  • Agglutination: Consequences of blood type incompatibility and Rh factor interactions.
  • Erythroblastosis Fetalis: Development conditions, management, and prevention strategies discussed.