Anatomy: Blood

Red blood cells

44% of blood volume. Function to carry oxygen and CO2. Shaped like a biconcave disk to increase surface area. Have no nucleus. Live 100 to 120 days. Old cell are destroyed in the liver or spleen. Low number or reduced function is called anemia.

Undesirable Clots

A blood clot that forms in a blood vessel and does not move to another area of the body is called a thrombus. If the clot does move to another part of the body, it is called an embolus.

Agglunation

A clumping process that occurs when a certain antigen is present in a blood sample. Can lead to complications such as the clogging of small blood vessels, the destruction of red blood cells, and kidney damage by freeing hemoglobin.

Pus

A collection of dead leukocytes at the site of an infection

Coagulation

A complex series of reactions that eventually convert a soluble protein called fibrinogen into an insoluble fiber called fiber called fibrin. A fibrin mesh ten forms to strengthen the platelet plug and trap red blood cells.

Scab

A protective crust that forms over an injury to protect underlying tissues when they are healing. It forms when a platelet plug starts drying out when it is no longer needed.

Anemia

A reduced ability of the blood to carry oxygen. It may result from a low number of red blood cells or an abnormal deficient hemoglobin content. Some common symptoms are pale or sallow skin, general fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath

Hemophilia

A sex-linked genetic blood disorder in which blood does not clot properly. It may lead to excessive internal or external bleeding. It can be treated with IV clotting factors.

Sickle Cell Anemia

An inherited form of anemia. It results when hemoglobin does not form properly giving red blood cells a sickle shape. Abnormal red blood cells rupture easily and get clogged in small vessels.

Hemoglobin

An iron-bearing protein that carries oxygen and gives blood its red color. A single red blood cell contains 250 molecules of it. It can hold 4 oxygen molecules.

Hematopoiesis

Blood cell formation. It occurs in red bone marrow. All formed elements come from the stem cell "hemocytoblast." Most blood cells are formed in the red marrow of the vertebrae and pelvis.

Platelets

Cell fragments necessary for the clotting of blood.

A blood type

Contains A antigens and B antibodies

B blood type

Contains B antigens and A antibodies

AB blood type

Contains both A and B antigens. Has no antibodies

O blood type

Contains no antigens. Has both A and B antibodies

Vascular Spasms

Damaged blood vessels constrict to reduce blood loss. This is most effective in smaller vessels.

White blood cells

Less than 1% of blood volume. Defend the body against viruses, parasites, bacteria, and tumor cells. Leukocytosis is the increase of these to fight infection.

Formed Elements

Make up 45% of blood volume. Include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets

Macrophage

Monocytes that enter infected tissues. They recognize, engulf, and destroy target cells.

White blood cells from most to least abundant

Neutrophil, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophil, Basophil

Thrombocytes

Platelets

Platelet Plug Formation

Platelets detect damage, become sticky, and cling to the damaged area. Anchored platelets release chemicals that attract more platelets. A small mass is formed to "plug" the hole.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells

Leukemia

Red bone marrow becomes cancerous and produces large numbers of abnormal white blood cells that do not function properly.

Rh Antigen

The antigen that makes blood either positive or negative. Rh- people do not automatically have Rh antibodies.

Plasma

The liquid portion of blood. Made up of 90% water. Makes up 55% of blood volume. Contains over 100 dissolved substances including nutrients, salts, respiratory gases, hormones, proteins, and various wastes.

Phagocytosis

The process of engulfing and destroying microorganisms, cellular debris, and other foreign or toxic substances. Leukocytes can leave he circulatory system and move into body tissues to fight invaders like bacteria.

Hemostasis

The process of stopping blood flow. Has 3 stages of Vascular Spasms, Platelet Plug Formation, and Coagulation Events

Hematocrit

The ratio of red blood cells to total blood volume.

Possible blood genotypes

Type A: IAIA, IAi. Type B: IBIB, IBi. Type AB: IAIB. Type O: ii.

Universal recipient

Type AB+ blood

Universal donor

Type O- blood

Rh complications during pregnancy

When an Rh- mother carries her first Rh+ baby, she will form Rh antibodies. The second time she has an Rh+ baby, these antibodies will attack the baby's red blood cells.

Leukocytes

White blood cells