Blood By: Sophie Gollan

Consists of two main parts: Plasma – Blood plasma is a mixture of proteins, enzymes, nutrients, wastes, hormones and gases. - Proteins - Nitrogenous waste - Nutrients- These include glucose, amino acids, lipids (fats), cholesterol, phospholipids, vitamins and minerals. - Carbon dioxide - Oxygen - Electrolytes (salts) - Water Cellular components- - Red blood cells (erythrocytes) - White blood cells (leukocytes) - Platelets

Red cell concentrate Platelet concentrate White cell concentrate Plasma Spun briefly in a centrifuge, and the components separate into layers Extracted parts of donated blood: Prepared by allowing the blood to separate by centrifuging. Plasma is then removed. Separated from whole blood by centrifugation or allowing the red cells to settle under gravity in a blood bank refrigerator. Leucocyte filters can be used to remove virtually all the white cells after the whole blood is separated through a centrifuge. The buffy coat layer Cryoprecipitate Removed from plasma by freezing and then slowly removing liquid plasma. Contains Factor VIII

Uses: Red Cell concentrate- Used to boost the oxygen-carrying capacity of patients with anaemia or after blood loss. White cell concentrate- Given to patients following a severe infection to boost their immune system. Platelet concentration- Given to leukaemia sufferers or patients suffering from severe blood loss for extra blood clotting capability Plasma- Given in emergency to boost the volume of blood following severe blood loss. Cryoprecipitate- Contains blood-clotting factors, to treat severe bleeding. Factor VIII- Used to treat haemophilia- blood will not clot properly.

Advantages of blood substitutes: Non-toxic and disease free Don’t need refrigeration for storage and can be kept for longer periods. Universal acceptance by all blood groups. Readily available- solves worldwide problem of blood donors. A liquid that can carry large amounts of oxygen and can serve as a temporary substitute for blood. Artificial blood is only designed to carry oxygen and carbon dioxide. Research is going into the development of artificial blood. This is needed because fresh, donated blood cannot be stored for long periods, and can cause immune-responses (rejection) in patients.. Donated blood can also carry diseases such as Hepatitis and AIDS. There are two areas of research for artificial blood: Haemoglobin-based oxygen carriers and complete blood substitutes based on chemicals called perfluorocarbons. Evidence that there is a high need for artificial blood

References Artificial blood, Royal Society of Chemistry, 25/11/2012, Everybody has it, Every body needs it, BLOOD BANK OF ALASKA, 25/11/2012, " GENERAL COMPOSITION OF BLOOD “, Get Body Smart, 24/11/2012, Blood Function and Composition, Virtual Medical Centre, 24/11/2012, HSC Biology Topic1, Keep It Simple Science.