Chapter 11 - BIO 110

Functions of Blood

Transportation, protection, regulation (pH temperature)

Plasma

Liquid that makes up about 55% of blood

Plasma proteins

Help water flow between blood and cells

Albumins

Important for blood’s water-balancing ability

Globulins

Transport lipids and fat-soluable vitamins, some are antibodies

Platelets

Fragments of larger precursor cells called megakaryocytes

Essential to blood clotting

Leukocytes

White blood cells

Function of White Blood Cells

Removes wastes, toxins, and damaged/abnormal cells

Helps defend body against disease

Neutrophils

The most abundant white blood cells

Engulf microbes by phagocytosis which curbs the spread of infection

Eosinophils

Defend against parasitic worms

Lessen the severity of allergies

Basophils

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

Monocytes

Largest of the formed elements

Develop into macrophages (phagocytic cells that
engulf invading microbes, dead cells, and
cellular debris)

B Lymphocytes

Give rise to plasma cells, which produce
antibodies

T Lymphocytes

Specialized white blood cells
Kills cells not recognized as coming from the
body, or cells that are cancerous

Function of Red Blood Cells

Transport oxygen to the cells

Oxyhemoglobin

hemoglobin bound with oxygen

Hemoglobin

Oxygen-binding pigment in RBCs

What is the lifecycle of Red Blood Cells?

Produced in the red bone marrow
Live about 120 days
Undergo phagocytosis in the liver and spleen

How are Red Blood Cells produced?

Regulated by a negative feedback mechanism
Production typically matches destruction
In the case of blood loss, the rate of RBC production is increased

Anemia

The blood’s ability to carry oxygen is reduced
Can result from too little hemoglobin, too few red blood
cells, or both

Blood Types

Named by the antigen (protein) found on the
surface of RBCs
Type A has only the A antigen
Type B has only the B antigen
Type AB has both A and B antigens
Type O has neither A nor B antigens

Rh Factor

Another important antigen
Individuals who have Rh antigens on their RBCs are Rh-
positive
Individuals who lack Rh antigens on their RBCs are Rh-
negative
An Rh-negative person will not form anti-Rh antibodies
unless he or she has been exposed to the Rh antigen

What are the steps of blood clotting?

Steps that occur once a blood vessel is cut
The vessel constricts
Platelets form a plug that seals the leak