Red Blood Cells

Adapted exclusively for producing and packaging hemoglobin which transports oxygen Adult male: 4.6 – 6 million Adult female: 4.2 – 5 million

Red blood cells are: Tiny, flexible biconcave discs Lacks a nucleus Can bend when going through tiny capillaries

RBC’s are constantly manufactured ‘erythroposis’ Every second = 2.4 million RBC’s Life span: 120 days Manufactured in red bone marrow of the vertebrae, ribs, sternum, skull and proximal epiphysis of long bones

Hemoglobin Gives red blood cells their red color Heme - contains iron Each hemoglobin molecule can combine with 4 molecules of oxygen Hemoglobin synthesis requires amino acids, specific enzymes, vitamins and minerals (Fe, Cu)

Anemia Deficiency of hemoglobin Lower RBC count Oxygen transport is reduced Symptoms: Tired, no energy Pale, nails are brittle

Causes: diet, loss of blood, lower production of RBC

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Carbon Monoxide combines with hemoglobin 200X more readily thank oxygen. Smokers have 4.5% less oxygen than non smokers

Sickle Cell Anemia Mutation in the gene for making hemoglobin Makes the wrong shape cell Primarily affects people of African decent Carriers do not have the disease Persons with 2 mutant genes, have the disease, but can fight off the Malaria parasite

Thalassemia Inherited disease A decrease in one or more hemoglobin polypeptide chain Mainly in persons of Mediterranean, African or Southwest Asia Results in severs anemia Treated with blood transfusions

White Blood Cells

Leukocytes Defend body against disease causing agents Have a nucleus Develop from stem cells in red bone marrow Performs duties in various body tissue Phagocytize (eat) dead cells, bacteria and foreign matter Normal count: 7000 WBC per cubic ml of blood

3 types of granular leukocytes: contain enzymes that destroy bacteria

Neutrophil 60% of WBC Lifespan is 10 hours in blood Seek out and destroy ingested bacteria in connective tissues 100 billion manufactured daily

Eosinophil 1-3 % of WBC Help control allergic reactions Release an enzyme histamine – a chemical released during allergic reactions

Basophil Less than 1% of WBC Involved in allergic and inflammatory reactions Contains large amounts of histamines which may be released in injured tissue in order to increase inflammation Contains heparin an anti-clotting chemical

Non-Granular Leukocytes Lymphocytes – 30% of all leukocytes Made from stem cells, but are released from lymph nodes, thymus and spleen Produce antibodies and destroy foreign cells found in infectious mononucleosis

lymphocyte

Monocyte 6% of WBC’s Enter connective tissue Eat bacteria, dead cells and other littering tissue

Monocytes

Abnormal WBC count A count over 10,000 per cubic ml is called leukocytosis. Indicates a bacterial infection Viruses- depresses WBC count - leukopenia

Leukemia Form of cancer in which any one kind of WBC proliferates wildly within the bone marrow Increases number of WBC which crowds out RBC’s and platelets leading to anemia and impaired blood clotting Dramatic increase in WBC count, but many WBC’s are immature or abnormal and unable to protect the body against disease Death is usually from bacterial infections

Leukemia