Blood

• Blood


  A fluid made up of different cells and cell fragments
• Plasma


  The watery fluid portion of blood, makes up approximately 55% of total blood volume
• Formed elements


  The other 45% of total blood volume, refers to the various blood cells and cell fragments present in the blood
• Formed elements


  • Erythrocytes (red blood cells)
  • Platelets
  • Leukocytes (white blood cells)
• Hematopoiesis


  The production of all types of blood cells including the formation, development, and differentiation of blood cells
• Our body is continually destroying and making new blood cells, with millions of red blood cells produced each second
• Red bone marrow


  Forms all types of blood cells, except lymphocytes which are formed in lymphoid tissue
• Erythropoiesis


  The formation of red blood cells
• Leukopoiesis


  The production of white blood cells
• Hematocrit


  A measurement that describes the volume percent of RBCs in whole blood
• Anemia


  A condition where an individual has a low hematocrit level due to decreased numbers of red blood cells
• Dehydration


  Can result in an increased hematocrit, not because more red blood cells are being produced, but because plasma levels are low
• Erythrocytes


  Red blood cells, do not have a nucleus and are shaped like biconcave discs
• Hemoglobin


  The red protein pigment that is the primary component of red blood cells
• One hemoglobin molecule can bind to four oxygen atoms to form oxyhemoglobin, allowing red blood cells to transport oxygen
• Pulse oximetry/Oxygen saturation


  A measurement that uses infrared and red light to determine the percentage of hemoglobin molecules that are saturated with oxygen
• Sickle cell anemia


  A type of anemia where the hemoglobin is defective, resulting in a distortion of the red blood cell shape and impaired oxygen transport
• Iron-deficiency anemia


  A common type of anemia caused by insufficient amounts of iron, a necessary component of the hemoglobin molecule
• Blood types


  Refer to the kind of cell markers or antigens present on red blood cell membranes
• ABO blood types


  • Type A (antigen A present)
  • Type B (antigen B present)
  • Type AB (both antigens A and B present)
  • Type O (neither antigen A nor B present)
• Universal recipients


  Individuals with Type AB blood, as they have both antigen A and antigen B and can receive any type of blood
• Universal donors


  Individuals with Type O blood, as they don't have antigen A or antigen B and their blood can theoretically be administered to any blood type
• Rh system


  Refers to the presence or absence of the Rh antigen, a little protein on the surface of the red blood cell
• Rh-negative blood cannot be given to an Rh-positive individual, but Rh-positive blood can be given to an Rh-negative individual
• The Rh system is crucial during pregnancy, as an Rh-negative mother can develop anti-Rh antibodies that can attack the Rh-positive fetus