Blood is made up of different types of cells. Red Blood Cells Red Blood Cells  Disc shaped, carries oxygen in the blood and iron

White Blood Cells Large, fight infection, # increase when you are sick Large, fight infection, # increase when you are sick

Platelets Small, involved in clotting Small, involved in clotting

Sickle Cell Anemia Most common in African Americans Most common in African Americans Genetic Disorder Genetic Disorder Red blood cells are crescent shaped and cannot carry oxygen. Red blood cells are crescent shaped and cannot carry oxygen.

Leukemia Cancer of the blood-forming parts of the body Cancer of the blood-forming parts of the body  Bone Marrow  Spleen Characterized by an abnormal increase of White blood Cells White blood Cells

Thrombocytopenia purpurea Decreased number of platelets Decreased number of platelets Bleeds very easy Bleeds very easy Skin may appear purple Skin may appear purple

Iron-deficient Anemia Low red blood cells Low red blood cells Person feels tired and may faint Person feels tired and may faint

Polycythemia Elevated blood pressure Elevated blood pressure Sensation of feeling hot (but no fever) Sensation of feeling hot (but no fever) Tends to have high number of RBC Tends to have high number of RBC