Blood

• What categories are available in the snowman competition?

  Best traditional, weirdest, happiest, saddest
• What should you include in your snowman entry slide?

  A photo, your name, snowman's name
• What are the main functions of blood?

  Transportation, regulation, protection
• What is the composition of blood?

  Plasma and formed elements
• Who is the instructor for the blood session?

  Dr Ines Ramos-Harrison
• What is the specific gravity range of blood?

  1.050-1.060
• What is the average blood volume in males?

  5-6 L
• What maintains constant blood volume and osmotic pressure?

  Hormonal negative feedback systems
• What is the primary component of blood plasma?

  92% water
• What is the role of albumin in blood plasma?

  Maintains blood osmotic pressure
• What are red blood cells also called?

  Erythrocytes
• Where are red blood cells formed?

  In the red bone marrow
• What is the significance of the biconcave shape of red blood cells?

  Allows large surface area and smooth flow
• How long do red blood cells live?

  Approximately 120 days
• What is the hematocrit level range for females?

  38-46%
• What are white blood cells also called?

  Leukocytes
• What is the primary function of white blood cells?

  Defense mechanism against disease
• What happens to white blood cell numbers during infection?

  They increase in number
• What are the three basic mechanisms of haemostasis?

  Vascular spasm, platelet plug, blood clotting
• What is the role of platelets in blood clotting?

  Help form platelet plug and release chemicals
• What is required by the liver to synthesize clotting factors?

  Vitamin K
• What is the primary component of hemoglobin?

  Iron (Fe$^{2+}$)
• How many protein chains compose hemoglobin?

  Four protein chains
• What is the difference between oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin?

  Oxyhemoglobin has oxygen bound; deoxyhemoglobin does not
• What percentage of carbon dioxide is transported as bicarbonate ion in plasma?

  70%
• What is the oxygen saturation of blood at a PO$_{2}$ of 100 mmHg?


  98%
• What is the Bohr effect?

  Increased acidity decreases oxygen affinity for hemoglobin
• What happens to oxygen binding at high altitudes?

  Blood is almost fully saturated at low pressures
• What are the components of blood composition?

  • Blood Plasma (55%)
  • Proteins (7%)
  • Water (91.5%)
  • Other solutes (1.5%)
  • Formed Elements (45%)
  • Red Blood Cells (99%)
  • White Blood Cells (<1%)
  • Platelets (<1%)
• What are the protective functions of blood?

  • Prevents blood/fluid loss
  • Defends against disease
  • Involves white blood cells and antibodies
• What are the steps of haemostasis?

  1. Vascular spasm
  2. Platelet plug formation
  3. Blood clotting (coagulation)
• What factors affect oxygen transport in blood?

  • Oxygen saturation levels
  • Partial pressures of oxygen
  • pH and acidity
  • Temperature
• What is the oxygen dissociation curve?

  • Shows levels of saturation and oxygen partial pressures
  • Blood is almost fully saturated at pO$_{2}$ of 60 mmHg
  • Large amounts of O$_{2}$ are released between 20-40 mmHg
• What is the role of hemoglobin in oxygen transport?

  • Binds oxygen reversibly
  • Composed of 4 protein chains
  • Increases oxygen affinity through positive cooperativity
• What are the implications of oxygen saturation at high altitudes?

  • Blood saturation decreases at lower pressures
  • Can affect oxygen delivery to tissues