Blood

Leukocytes

White blood cells. 0.5%-1% of all blood cells. These cells are nucleated, small (7-17 micrometers), spherical (move utilizing pseudopods) giving them the ability to leave the circulatory system and enter tissues. Leukocytes are a major component of the immune system; protecting the body of microorganisms and remove dead cells and debris through the process of phagocytosis. There are 5 types of leukocytes: Neutrophils, Basophils, Eosinophils, Lymphocytes, and monocytes

Antigen

Any substance that has the ability to stimulate an immune response. It is a macromolecule that has a specific shape ( electrochemical configuration). Generally antigens are a protein, polysaccharides, glycoprotein, or lipid found on the surface of a cell or virus. Sometimes the antigen is an independent molecule such as a toxin (ingested/ released by pathogen). The presence of an antigen stimulates leukocytes to produce antibodies.

Coagulation (plasma) factor

12 factors ( at one time considered 13 but 5 and 6 were found to be the same, 1 an activated form, the other inactivated), 11 are proteins and a calcium that is necessary for the process of coagulation. These factors are not sole products of the bone marrow, most are synthesized in the liver. Hemophilia is a condition most often associated with a deficiency in factors 8 and 9.

Globulin

38% of plasma proteins, these have major roles. These proteins are antibodies and transport proteins (transport: lipids, carbohydrates, iron, and copper).

Platelet (thrombocyte) factors

4 factors ( 3 are enzymes and 1 a phosphlipid) released from thrombocytes that help regulate coagulation.

Fibrinogen

7% of plasma proteins, made by the liver. This has a major role in blood clotting and coagulation.

Lymphocytes

A category that includes: T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells. A major component of the immune system. These cells secrete antibodies . They also attack: viruses, cancer cells and transplant tissue.

Monocytes

A major phagocytizer. Largest leukocyte, they engulf infected cells, cancerous cells, cellular debris, and bacteria (prokaryotes). These cells often leave the circulatory system and digest infected, dead, and damaged cells.

Immunity (2)

After the pathogen has been removed, a few antigens specific antibodies remain in blood. When the same antibodies are activated and stimulate lymphocytes to produce more antibodies thus destroying pathogens before it causes more response

Hemopoiesis

Also known as hematopoiesis. Means "blood making". less than 1% of bone marrow cells are stern cells. These stem cells develop into either myeloid stem cells or lymphoid stem cells. Myeloid stem cells give rise to erythrocytes, thrombocytes, and leukocytes except for lymphocytes. Lymphoid stem cells migrate to the lymphatic system and give rise to the lymphocytes.

Type of cells in blood

Blood contains 3 types of cells. Erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes

Composition of the blood

Blood is composed of 2 components: plasma and formed elements. Plasma is the liquid portion and contains water and proteins. Formed elements referred to the cellular components: erythrocyte (red blood cells) , leukocytes (white blood cells), and thrombocytes (platelets).

Histology of Blood

Blood is responsible for the transport of nutrients to each and every cell. Additionally it has a major role in maintaining internal homeostasis of the body (temperature, water, balance, etc.), tissue repair and is a very large component of the of the immune system. Technically blood is considered to be a connective tissue and is composed of cells (leukocytes, erythrocytes, and thrombocytes), plasma (extracellular fluid or fluid component of the blood) and many proteins (clotting factors, antibodies, etc.)

Immunity (1)

Blood plays a major role (along with other body systems, i.e. lymphatic) in immunity. Leukocytes are involved in the direct destruction of many pathogens, but before they can perform phagocytosis the pathogen must be identified. The identification is accomplished through the antigen antibody complex.

Basophils

Cause inflammation by releasing histamine and release heparin (anti-coagulent)

Blood Group

Cells in the body contain structures on them called antigens that identify them as "belonging" to the body. Antigens that are not recognized by the immune system elicit an immune response.

Coagulation

Clotting, a process that "plugs" ruptures vessels, stopping bleeding (leaking of blood) and begin the process of healing, coagulation (clotting) is a set of many chemical reactions that depend on several chemicals called coagulation factors (12) and platelet factors (4). The first stage is the formation of the platelet plug.

Plasma

Constitutes to 55% of blood volume, it is a liquid component of blood. Plasma is a colloid ( a solution where the solutes do not settle out). It is straw colored (yellow) and is 91% water, 7% protein (albumin, globulin, and fibrogen) and 2% solutes (ions, gasses, waste, and hormones)

Neutrophils

Destroy (phagocytosis) small pathogenic microorgsnisms

Eosinophils

Destroy large pathogenic microorganisms (unicellular protests) and some parasitic worms. Release anti-inflammatory agents in allergic reactions. Perform phagocytosis in antigen antibody reactions.

Albumin

Largest component of proteins (58%) responsible for the thickness of blood and regulates blood pH (a buffer)

Thrombocytes

Platelets, technically not cells. These are tiny ( 2 micrometer) plasma membrane "bags" that contain protein (clotting factors) filled vesicles and lack nucleus. Thrombocytes form from large stem cells (megakaryoblasts) in the bone marrow. In the bone marrow these large cells each break into 2000-4000 membrane bound fragments called platelets. These cells initiate the clotting process and form the initial plug

Antibodies

Proteins found in the plasma, mainly globulins that are manufactured by leukocytes (lymphocytes: B cells, T cells). Antibodies are produced when B or T cells encounter an antigen that they do not recognize. These lymphocytes are manufacture proteins (a type of globulin or albumin) called antibodies that have structure (binding site) that can attach to 2 seperate antigens (on seperate pathogens). Since each pathogen with one binding site and another pathogen with other binding site. As a result a large "clump" of pathogens and antibodies form that is engulfed (phagocytized) by leukocytes (monocytes)

ABO Group

Red blood cells have 2 types of antigens ( a glycolipid on the surface of the cell membrane of the erythrocyte) A or B which can be arranged in 4 combinations: A (antigen A), B (possesses neither A or B). Additionally there are antibodies within the plasma: Type A blood contains type B antibodies, Type B blood contains type A antibodies, type AB blood contains neither of the antibodies and Type O contains both antigen A and antigen B

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells. Composed approximately 98%-99% of all cells in blood. Its very small (7.5 micrometers). Mature erythrocytes lack a nucleus, ribosomes, and mitochondria, and other organelles associated with normal body cells (eukaryotic cells). These cells represent a donut (bicon disk) that is filled with protein called hemoglobin. Erythrocytes are flexible and have a large surface area which assist in there role of transporting oxygen cells. Hemoglobin account for 33% of the cells volume ( 90%-95% weight) and plays the role of transport.

Proteins

There are three major categories of protein found in blood that are produced in the liver: Albumin, Globulin, and fibrinogen

Hemoglobin

a protein found in the center of the erythrocyte. Each erythrocyte contains 200-300 million molecules of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is responsible for transporting the majority of oxygen in the blood and body. Each molecule of hemoglobin can bind to for molecules of oxygen. Hemoglobin binds to carbon monoxide better than oxygen.