Chapter 20 Blood

Composition of Blood
o Intro
Blood is made up of plasma (liquid extracellular) and formed
elements (cells).
Blood is keystone of bodys heat-regulating mechanism
o Blood Volume
Young adult @ about 150lbs approx. 5 liters of blood.
Blood vol. varies according to age, body type, sex and method
of measurement.
Blood is about 8% of total body weight
Formed Elements of Blood
o RBCs erythrocytes
Description of mature RBCs
Have no nucleus and shaped like tiny biconcave disk
Do not contain ribosomes, mitochondria, and other
organelles typical of most body cells
Function of RBCs
RBCs critical role in the transport of oxygen and CO2
depends on hemogloblin.
Hemogloblin
Within each RBC are approx. 200-300 million molecules
of hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is made up of four globin chains with each
attaches to a heme group
Hemoglobin is able to unite with four oxygen molecules
to form oxyhemoglobin
A male has a greater amount of hemoglobin than a
female
Anemia- Decrease in number or volume of functional
RBCs in a given unit of whole blood
Formation of RBCs
RBCs are created and destroyed at approximately 200
billion per day in an adult; homeostatic mechanisms
Destruction of RBCs
Life span of a circulation RBC averages 120 days
Macrophage cells phagocytose the aged, abnormal, or
fragmented RBCs
Hemoglobin is broken down, and amino acids, iron, and
bilirubin (green) are released

o White Blood Cells WBCs leukocytes

Granulocytes
Neutrophils- make up approx.. 65% of total WBC count
in a normal blood sample.
o First to the scene of an injury
Eosinophils- provide protextion against infections
caused by parasitic worms and help regulate allergic
reactions
Basophils- cytoplasmic granules contain histamine and
heparin
o Cause inflammation
Agranulocytes
Lymphocytes- B lymphocytes: produce antibodies
o T lymphocytes: cellular immunity
Monocytes- largest leukocytes
o When leave blood go into macrophages
o Platelets
Structure
3 important properties: agglutination, adhesiveness
(sticky), aggression.
Functions:
Hemostasis- refers to stoppage of blood flow, however if
injury is extensive the blood clotting mechanism is
activated to assist
Platelets Plug Formation
Platelets adhere to damaged endothelial lining and to
each other 1-5 seconds after injury to vessel wall,
forming a platelet plug
Temporary platelet plug is an important part in
homeostasis.
Blood Plasma
o Plasma is liquid part of blood; clear, straw colored fluid made up 90%
water and 10% solutes
o Solutes- 6% to 8% of plasma solutes are proteins, consisting of three
main compounds
Albumins-help maintain osmotic balance of the blood
Globulins- essential component to immunity
Fibrinogen- key role to blood clotting
Blood Clotting (Coagulation)
o Four components critical to coagulation
Prothrombin
Thrombin
Fibrinogen
Fibrin

o Current explanation
Chemicals released from damaged tissues (extrinsic pathway)
Chemicals present present in the blood (intrinsic pathway)
o Conditions that oppose clotting (Anticoagulants & antithrombin)
Perfectly smooth surface of the normal endothelial lining of the
blood vessels does not allow platelets to adhere
o Clot Dissolution
Fibrinolysis- physiological mechanism that dissolves the clot
once it has formed
Blood Types
o The ABO system
Type A- antigen A on RBCs antibody B in plasma
Type B- antigen B on RBCs antibody A in plasma
Type AB- both antigen A &B on RBCs neither A orB antibody
Universal receiver
Type 0- neither antigen AorB on RBCs both A&B antibody in
plasma
Universal Donor