Blood Outline Summary

Overview of Blood Components

• Blood plasma is a complex solution crucial for homeostasis.

  • Transports blood cells, nutrients, and waste.

  • Composed of water, proteins, electrolytes, gases, hormones, and waste products.

Blood Composition

• Blood acts as a fluid connective tissue, delivering oxygen and nutrients while removing waste products.

  • Composed of:

    • Plasma (liquid matrix)

    • Formed elements:

      • Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells, RBCs):

        • Make up 92% of plasma volume.

        • Functions:

          • Solvent and suspension medium for blood components.

          • Absorbs/distributes heat.

        • Constitute 7% of plasma weight.

        • Include albumins, globulins, and fibrinogen.

          • Responsible for osmotic pressure, transporting lipids/hormones, immune defense.

      • Leukocytes (White Blood Cells, WBCs):

        • Involved in immune responses against pathogens.

      • Platelets (Thrombocytes):

        • Cell fragments involved in blood clotting.

Plasma Composition

• Contains different substances:

  • Proteins:

    • Albumins, globulins, fibrinogen—important for transport and osmotic regulation.

  • Electrolytes:

    • Sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, bicarbonate—regulate osmotic pressure and pH.

  • Gases:

    • Oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen—crucial for respiration and metabolism.

  • Hormones:

    • Transported from endocrine glands to target organs—regulate body functions.

  • Waste Products:

    • Urea, uric acid, creatinine, bilirubin—transported to kidneys/liver for excretion.

Hemostasis

• Hemostasis prevents excessive bleeding and maintains fluid blood state.

  • Process involves:

    • Blood Vessel Constriction:

      • Immediate response to injury, reduces blood flow via spasms and reflexes.

    • Platelet Plug Formation:

      • Platelets adhere and release factors to attract more platelets, forming a temporary plug.

    • Fibrin Clot Formation:

      • Coagulation cascade activated, converting fibrinogen to fibrin, stabilizing the plug.

    • Wound Healing:

      • New tissue formed to repair the vessel.

Hemophilia

• Genetic disorder affecting blood clotting—deficiency in clotting factors leads to prolonged bleeding.

Blood Types

• Blood classification based on antigens (agglutinogens) and antibodies.

  • Critical for safe transfusions and preventing immune reactions.

  • ABO Blood Group System:

    • Antigens determine blood type:

      • Type A: A antigens, anti-B antibodies.

      • Type B: B antigens, anti-A antibodies.

      • Type AB: Both A and B antigens, no antibodies.

      • Type O: No A or B antigens, both anti-A and anti-B antibodies.

  • Rh Factor:

    • Determines presence (Rh+) or absence (Rh-) of Rh D antigen.

    • Important in pregnancy due to risks of hemolytic disease.

Universal Donor and Recipient

• Universal Donor:

  • Type O- can be transfused to almost anyone.

• Universal Recipient:

  • Type AB+ can receive red blood cells from anyone.

  • Plasma can be transfused universally, lacking both anti-A and anti-B antibodies.