Biology 322 Human Anatomy I Blood

Blood: Volume: 4 - 6 liters, ~ 8% of body weight Components: Formed Elements: Erythrocytes (Red blood cells) Leukocytes (White blood cells) Platelets Plasma: Water Many proteins Ions, nutrients, wastes, hormones, etc pH: 7.35 - 7.45, Buffered to remain stable

Erythrocytes Primary Function - Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide Cytoplasm full of hemoglobin Biconcave disks ~7.5 um diameter ~2 um thick No nucleus 4.5-5.5 million per cubic millimeter 4.5-5.5 billion per milliliter (cubic cm) Slightly higher in men Normally survive ~120 days in circulation Trapped and destroyed (mostly in spleen)

Hemoglobin Each molecule: 4 large Globin proteins Each surrounding an iron- containing Heme Group Oxygen reacts reversibly with iron: Binds in lungs Unbinds in consumer tissues

Leukocytes (White blood cells) Five different types of cells All formed in bone marrow 4,000 to 10,000 per cubic millimeter or 4,000,000 to 10,000,000 per milliliter (cubic centimeter)

Each type has specific functions, but in general: Leukocytes function in body defenses by: Engulfing & digesting invading organisms & debris Directly killing invading cells Producing antibodies Secreting chemicals which activate other immune cells Secreting chemicals which promote inflammation

Leukocytes Grouped into two categories based upon appearance of granules in cytoplasm: Abundant, distinct granules = Granular Leukocytes or Granulocytes Few, small granules = Agranular Leukocytes or Agranulocytes

Granular Leukocytes Named according to how these granules react to routine lab stains ("Wright's Stain" is most common) The nucleus of each type also has a characteristic shape and/or density Three types: Neutrophils, Eosinophils, Basophils

Neutrophils 40% - 60% of leukocytes in blood. Granules present in cytoplasm but stain weakly with both acidic and basic stains Nucleus has 3 to 7 lobes Also called Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

Eosinophils 1% - 4% of leukocytes in blood. Granules attract acidic stain eosin, therefore stain red or orange Nucleus is indented or bilobed

Basophils 0.5% - 1% of leukocytes in blood. Granules attract the basic stain hematoxylin, therefore stain blue or purple Nucleus is indented or bilobed, but is often obscured by the granules Outside of circulation: Mast cells

Agranular Leukocytes Two unrelated types of leukocytes, neither of which has abundant granules: Lymphocytes, Monocytes The nucleus of each type also has a characteristic shape and density

Monocytes 4% to 8% of leukocytes in blood Nucleus indented, may be kidney shaped or horseshoe shaped. Stains only moderately blue. Cytoplasm is abundant, typically stains an even light blue or bluish-gray Outside of circulation: Macrophages

Lymphocytes 20% to 40% of leukocytes in blood Nucleus usually spherical, may be slightly indented. Stains darker blue. Varying amounts of cytoplasm which stains a pale to medium blue

Lymphocytes Two types of lymphocytes with different functions in immune system, but they appear identical in blood: T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes

All leukocytes formed in bone marrow, then enter blood But: Not particularly active when in the blood. Most leukocytes are using the blood to get to other tissues and organs, where they differentiate and become active

Since they generally function outside of the circulatory system, primarily in the connective tissues of other organs, All leukocytes can leave (and most can also reenter) the blood vessels by a process called Diapedesis. Therefore: All of the leukocytes, and the cells which they mature into, are normally found in connective tissues throughout the body

Platelets Function in clotting of blood when vessels are injured 250,000 to 500,000 per cubic millimeter or 250,000,000 to 500,000,000 per milliliter (cubic centimeter)

Platelets Fragments of much larger cells, called megakaryocytes, which remain in the bone marrow