Discuss leukaemia. Explain the role of platelets. Classify between the different blood types and the Rhesus factor.

 LY LY

 White blood cells produced too quick and are immature.  Crowd other blood cells.  Can’t fight infection.

 Made in the bone marrow from large cells.  Cells break down to fragments called platelets.

1. Reduce blood loss. 2. Prevent entry of micro-organisms. Clot results when damaged cells produce chemicals that make platelets form a clot. Haemophiliacs: unable to produce one or more clotting chemicals (factor VIII). Can’t form blood clots. Clots only form in damaged blood vessels.

 What would happen if a clot formed in a vessel in the brain or the heart?

 The most common blood group in Ireland is O positive.  The rarest blood group in Ireland is AB negative.  The most common blood group is O, accounting for about 46% of the world's population.  People in the West of Ireland are predominantly of blood group O.  There is a higher concentration of Group A blood in counties which historically received Viking and English population settlements  There are more people with Rhesus negative blood on the East coast than the West

 A B and O and AB  Depends on chemicals attached to blood cell.  Why is it important in blood transfusion to match up the blood types.  Another blood type is called the Rhesus factor.  85% of Irish people have this. They are said to be Rhesus positive (Rh+). The other 15% are Rhesus negative (Rh-)

e.g. a person with blood group B may be B+ or B- or (B Rh+ or B Rh-)  have the rhesus chemical on their red blood cell. (B+)  Or don’t have the chemical attached (B-)

 Important in safe blood transfusions.  Rhesus negative mother and rhesus positive child. Child has a high risk of having major health problems. Could be anaemic, brain damaged or stillborn. Treatment will prevent this.

 Study! class test for 2 weeks time.  Write a paragraph on the blood cell given. People will be picked to read it out next week.