1. Blood
Notes 3.1

2. Blood is composed of Two main Parts
Plasma
Water (91-92%)
Plasma Proteins and clotting factors
Electrolytes
Cellular Portion
Leukocytes (WBC) (5 types)
Erythrocytes (RBC)
Platelets

3. Why is water so significant?
It’s the Universal Solvent
These must be in Dissolved Form to function in the body:
Proteins
Oxygen
Carbon dioxide
Sugar
Lipids (suspended)
Vitamins
Hormones

4. Serum Vs. Plasma
Plasma’s is made up of clotting proteins, glucose, nutrients, electrolytes, hormones, antigens, antibodies and other particles
Serum is the same as that of plasma, except it does not contain the clotting factors.
In short, the relation between serum and plasma can be put as, 'serum = plasma after removal of clotting factors'

5. Blood Fractionalization
Whole blood can be fractionated into:
Packed Red Blood Cells (RBC)
Plasma
Other blood products
Platelets
Clotting factors

6. Erythrocytes Red blood cells (non-nucleated)
Carry Oxygen to and Carbon Dioxide from the tissues
Hemoglobin is the protein that locks on to the oxygen molecules
Contain no DNA
About 30 trillion in
Circulation in human

7. Leukocytes White blood cells (contain nucleii)
Involved in the immune response
Help fight infection
Contain DNA
About 430 billion in
Circulation in human
(1WBC to every 700RBC)

8. Blood Groups
Determined by antigens (surface proteins) on the surface of the red blood cells
Group A has type A antigens
Group B has type B antigens
Group AB has both type A and type B antigens
Group O has no antigens

9. Group A Has type A antigens Has Anti-B antibodies in plasma
Recognizes type A cells as “self”
Has Anti-B antibodies in plasma
Can take type A infusions
Recognizes A as “self”
Can take type O infusions
Nothing to recognize

10. Group B Has type B antigens Has Anti-A antibodies in plasma
Recognizes type B cells as “self”
Has Anti-A antibodies in plasma
Can take type B infusions
Recognizes B as “self”
Can take type O infusions
Nothing to recognize

11. Group AB Has no antibodies in plasma
Has type A and type B antigens
Recognizes type A and B cells as “self”
Has no antibodies in plasma
Is the universal recipient because…
Can take type A infusions
Recognizes A as “self”
Can take type B infusions
Recognizes B as “self”
Can take type AB infusions
Recognizes both of them as “self”
Can take type O infusions
Nothing to recognize

12. Group O
Has no antigens
Recognizes nothing “self”
Has both Anti-A and Anti-B antibodies in plasma
Can take type O infusions
Nothing to recognize
O is the universal donor

13. Rhesus Factor
Another commonly considered blood factor dissolved in the plasma is Rh.
Present = (+)
Absent = (-)
Is significant consideration when cross-matching blood and for mother’s anticipating a second (or third…) pregnancy

14. Red blood cell compatibility table

15. The Universal Donor?
Patients should ideally receive their own blood or type-specific blood products to minimize the chance of a transfusion reaction. Risks can be further reduced by cross-matching blood, but this may be skipped when blood is required for an emergency.

16. Other Blood Factors that May play a Role in Forensics
K (Kell Positive System)
Le (Lewis Negative System)
M, N, S (M, N, S Positive System)
There are a total of 30 blood typing systems.

17. What are the odds? O+ 1 in 3 persons O- 1 in 15 persons
A+ 1 in 3 persons
A- 1 in 16 persons
B+ 1 in 12 persons
B- 1 in 67 persons
AB+ 1 in 29 persons
AB- 1 in 167 persons

18. 78 % are Rh+
22 % are Rh-
Again, what is meant by Positive (+)
What is meant by Negative (-)