1. Blood
Video:

2. There is about 5L of blood in our bodies

3. Blood Constituents Liquid (55 %) Solids (45%) Plasma
Red Blood Cells (approx. 45%)
White Blood Cells
(less than 1%)
Platelets (less than 1%)

4. Due to their different densities, the constituents of blood can be separated by:
Centrifugation

5. Order of increasing densities:
Platelets
Order of increasing densities:
1) plasma
2) White blood cells and platelets
3) Red Blood Cells

6. Plasma Yellowish tint 90% water Contains proteins, nutrients and waste
Transports red and white blood cells, platelets, nutrients, antibodies, hormones and waste (urea and carbon dioxide)

7. Red Blood Cells Also known as erythrocytes
A single drop of blood contains up to
250 MILLION red blood cells
Do not contain a nucleus
Doughnut shaped
Life span of days
Contain hemoglobin

8. Hemoglobin Protein that gives blood its red colour
Binds to oxygen in the lungs and transports the oxygen to other cells in the body that need it.
When oxygen is bound to hemoglobin, it is a bright red colour
Once the hemoglobin gives up its oxygen, the hemoglobin becomes brownish red in colour

9. White Blood Cells Also known as leukocytes Have a nucleus
Come in different sizes, but are typically larger than red blood cells
There is approximately 1 white blood cell per 650 red blood cells.
However, during an infection the number increases
They can live from a few days to several years

10. Functions of White Blood Cells
Involved in the immune response
Some neutralize bacteria, viruses or other harmful substances in the body
They also rid the body of debris from dead or damaged cells.

11. Platelets Also called thrombocytes
Not really cells, just small fragments of red blood cells
No nucleus
About 1 for every 20 red blood cells
Maximum life span of 10 days

12. Function of Platelets
Watch the video and write down the functions of platelets:

13. Blood Types

14. These antigens that are present on red blood cells are also known as agglutinogens.

15. The antibodies are also known as agglutinins

16. So what happens when someone from group A receives a blood transfusion from someone from group B?
Because the person with type A has Anti-B agglutinins (antibodies), when the type B blood enters the person’s body, the antibodies will react with the type B blood.

17. Who can receive blood from anyone?
AB: because they do not have antibodies for A or B (otherwise they would attack themselves) and so any type of blood would be okay for them

18. Who can give blood to anyone?
O: because they have no agglutinins on their surface, so even if the person receiving the blood has anti-A or anti-B antibodies, they will not interact with the O blood

19. The Rhesus Factor
A person is either positive (has it: Rh+) or negative (doesn’t have it: Rh-) for this agglutinogen
If you are positive, you can receive blood from someone who is positive or negative
If you are negative, you can only receive blood from someone who is negative.

20. What blood type is most important for blood donor clinics?
O- : because they can give to everyone

21. Current distribution of blood types in Quebec
Rh Positive (85%)
Rh Negative (15%)
O %
39% 7%
A %
36% 6%
B %
7.5 %
1.5%
AB 3 %
2.5%
0.5%

22. Antigens/ agglutinogens
Blood Group
Antigens/ agglutinogens
Antibodies/
agglutinins
Can give blood to
Can receive blood from AB A B O

23. Blood Group
Antigens
Antibodies
Can give blood to
Can receive blood from AB
A and B
None
AB, A, B, O A B
A and AB
A and O
B and AB
B and O O