Blood

Blood Blood- made of connective tissue. Located in arteries and veins Contains four basic parts: Erythrocytes Leukocytes Thrombocytes Plasma

Erythrocytes Better known red blood cells, erythrocytes are designed to carry oxygen and nutrients all over the body. Created in the red marrow of certain bones. These cells have a biconcave shape and in mature RBC’s, lack a nucleus. This shape and lack of nucleus are both adaptations that allow the erythrocyte to carry more oxygen.

Erythrocytes: hemoglobin The erythrocyte has the red tint to it because of the pigment hemoglobin. Hemoglobin contains a large amount of iron in it. The iron is responsible for that red color. Oxyhemoglobin- refers to hemoglobin that has combined with oxygen. Deoxyhemoglobin- refers to hemoglobin without oxygen.

Carrying Capacity Only red blood cells carry oxygen! When there are low amounts of red blood cells or hemoglobin, anemia occurs.

The end of the life cycle When a RBC becomes damaged or becomes too old, macrophages destroy them. The RBC is split into two parts, a protein, and a pigment. The pigment, after many conversions, becomes bilirubin, the pigment found in bile.

When RBCs are produced When oxygen levels are low, the hormone erythropoietin is released, causing the red marrow to make more RBCs. When the level of RBCs becomes too high, erythropoietin stops being produced. This is called a negative feedback loop.

Leukocytes The leukocyte, or white blood cell, protects against disease. There are five different types of leukocyte: Neutrophils Eosinophils Basophils Monocytes Lymphocytes

These five cells fit into 1 of 2 categories based on what is inside them. Granulocytes- have grainy clumps in their cytoplasm. Agranulocytes- do not have grainy clumps in their cytoplasm.

Granulocytes: Agranulocytes: Neutrophils Eosinophils Basophils Monocytes lymphocytes

Neutrophil Phagocytizes smaller cells and particles. (phago)- eat (cyte)- cell Phagocyte- cell eater

Eosinophil Kills parasites and helps control inflammation and allergic reaction.

Basophil Releases heparin (anticoagulant) and histamine.

Monocyte Phagocytizes large particles.

Lymphocyte Provide immunity by creating antibodies.

Platelets Thrombocytes, or Platelets, are small cell fragments that break off of a larger cell called a megakaryocyte. Platelets can be used to repair damaged blood vessels.

Hemostasis When a blood vessel ruptures the blood that normally stayed in them begins to leak out. When this occurs hemostasis, the process of stopping bleeding, occurs. When a vessel breaks, smooth muscle around it contracts. This is called a vasospasm.

In order to stop the bleeding, blood platelets will, with the release of certain biochemicals, begin to stick together. When these platelets stick together they form what is called a blood clot.

Thrombus and embolus When a clot forms in the blood vessels it is called a Thrombus. When fragments of a thrombus break off and float in the blood stream, it is called an embolus.

Plasma Erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets form all of the cells in the blood. These parts are collectively called the hematocrit, which is only about 45% of what makes up blood. The other 55% is called plasma.

What’s inside Plasma contains dissolved solutes both organic and nonorganic. These include simple sugars and amino acids. Plasma is 92% water. When centrifuged, plasma has a light tan-like color to it, similar to hay.

Plasma proteins Albumins-Regulate osmotic pressure in blood. Osmo (water) Globulins-three types Alpha globulins- transports lipids and fat soluble vitamins. (liver) Beta globulins- transports lipids and fat soluble vitamins. (liver) Gamma globulins- type of antibody. (lymph) Fibronigen- blood coagulant (liver)

Electrolytes Found in plasma, electrolytes maintain osmotic pressure and pH of the plasma.

Blood Groups Blood is not universally the same in all people. On the surface of the cell, there are marker molecules called antigens. These antigens act as ID badges of the cell. When the body encounters a cell that contains an antigen that is different from or contradicts it’s own, the body will attack that cell with antibodies.

Blood Typing Blood groups: Rh factor groups: A B O (-) negative (+) positive

All possible blood type genotypes: Ao-, AA-, AB-, Ao+, AA+, AB+ Bo-, BB-, Bo+, BB+ oo-, oo+ When the blood type has 1 o or 2 of the same letter, the second letter is left off. When the rh factor is not present, the (-) sign is left off.

All blood type phenotypes: AB A+ B+ AB+ O+

Blood typing Your blood type is determined by the blood types of your parents, along with random assortment that occurs during meiosis in your parent’s gametes.