Anatomy & Physiology II

What are normal levels and percentages of RBC.

4,600,000-6,200,000 in males. 4,200,000-5,400,000 in females. 4,500,000-5,100,000 in children. RBCs are 45% of the blood.

What happens if clots form within blood vessels?

A thrombus is made. If it breaks loose of the vessel wall and begins circulating through the body, it is then called an embolus, which can travel into tighter vessels and get trapped, causing death.

What is edema?

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces, causing swelling of the tissues.

What antibodies can be found in the plasma?

Antibodies A, B, AB, or none.

What antigens can be found on RBC?

Antigens A, B, AB, or none.

Describe normal blood: number of each cell type, pH.

Blood is about 8% of body weight. Adult blood volume is about 5 L. RBC count is usually 4,600,000-6,200,000 in males, 4,200,000-5,400,000 in females. WBC are usually 5,000-10,000 per cubic mm of blood. Platelets are usually 130,000-360,000 per cubic mm of blood. Normal blood pH is around 7.4.

What is hematocrit?

Hematocrit is the ratio of blood by volume that is comprised of packed RBC's (Erythrocytes) (portion or % by volume).

Describe the steps in clot formation.

Hemostasis - the stoppage of bleeding. 1. Blood vessel spasm - smooth muscle in blood vessel contracts 2. Platelet plug formation: a. break in vessel wall b. blood escapes through break c. platelets adhere to each other, to end of broken vessel, and to exposed collagen d. platelet plug helps control blood loss 3. Blood coagulation - clot forms (occurs extrinsically or intrinsically).

Why might blood volume differ from one person to the next?

It might differ depending on a person's health and age, and women tend to have lower blood volume due to their menstrual cycle.

Differentiate between the different leukocytes.

Neutrophils - most numerous, 54-62% of WBCs, first to arrive to fight infections, elevated in bacterial infections, multi-lobed nucleus. Eosinophils - deep red granules in acid stain, bi-lobed nucleus, fight allergic reactions and against parasitic worm infestations, 1-3% of WBCs. Basophils - Deep blue granules in basic stain, release histamine and heparin, <1% of WBCs. Monocytes - largest of all blood cells, kidney- or oval-shaped nuclei, become macrophages, 3-9% of WBCs, phagocytize bacteria, dead cells, and other debris. Lymphocytes - slightly larger than RBCs, large spherical nucleus surrounded by a thin rim of cytoplasm, T and B cells, B cells produce antibodies, 25-33% of WBCs.

Compare serum v. plasma.

Plasma is the liquid part of blood, in which blood cells, nutrients and hormones float. Serum is the fluid part of blood, without the clotting factors or blood cells.

How is the shape of a RBC important to its function?

RBC's shape is important because it allows them to squeeze through vessel walls and transport oxygen to tissues. If they weren't able to squeeze through vessel walls, some parts of the body would not receive any oxygen at all.

Describe the different formed elements and their origins.

RBCs originate in red bone marrow from hemocytoblasts (stem cells) which then differentiate in a process called hematopoiesis. WBCs are called leukocytes and are split into granulocytes and agranulocytes. Platelets are cell fragments of megakaryocytes; they lack a nucleus and are half the size of a RBC.

Compare the formed elements of the blood.

RBCs, WBCs, and platelets all act together to maintain life. RBCs transport oxygen to the body's tissues, WBCs fight infections in the body, and platelets clot wounds that occur.

How does the Rh factor affect a developing fetus and its mother?

Rh positive - presence of antigen D or other Rh antigens on the RBC membranes. Rh negative - lack of these antigens If a mother is Rh negative and her baby is Rh positive, her antibodies form to fight Rh-positive blood cells. If a mother is Rh positive and her baby is Rh positive, her antibodies attack the baby's RBC. Complications can lead the baby to develop erythroblastosis fetalis or hemolytic disease.

What blood types can give/receive to/from other blood types?

Type A blood can receive either type A or type O blood and can give to either type A or type AB blood. Type B can receive either type B or type O and can give to either type B or type AB blood. Type AB is the universal recipient and can receive types A, B, and O blood, but can only give to type AB blood. Type O is the universal donor so it can only receive blood from type O, but can give blood to types A, B, and O blood.

How do antigens and antibodies and their placement create different blood types?

Type A blood has A antigens on its cell surface and anti-B antibodies in its plasma. Type B blood has B antigens on its cell surface and anti-A antibodies in its plasma. Type AB blood has both A and B antigens on its cell surface and no antibodies in its plasma. (It is the universal recipient). Type O blood has no antigens on its cell surface, but has both anti-A and anti-B antibodies in its plasma. (It is the universal donor).