Anatomy

• Plasma


  Liquid substance
• Formed elements

  • Cells
  • Fragments
• Formed elements


  • Red blood cells
  • White blood cells
  • Platelets
• Albumin


  Maintains water blood pressure
• Globulins


  Immune system
• Fibrinogen


  Helps with clots from forming
• Hematopoiesis


  Produces formed elements
• Hemocytoblasts


  A stem cell for blood
• Red blood cells (erythrocytes)

  • Disk shape, thick edges
  • Nucleus is lost, NO DNA
  • Live for 120 days
  • Transport oxygen to tissues
• Hemoglobin


  Main thing of red blood cells, transports oxygen
• Hemoglobin production


  1. Causes kidneys to increase production of erythropoietin (into the blood)

  2. Erythropoietin: Restores red bone marrow
• Removal of old blood cells

  1. Macrophages in spleen and liver remove old blood cells

  2. Hemoglobin is broken down and reused
• White blood cells (leukocytes)

  • Lack hemoglobin
  • Larger than red blood cells
  • Contains the nucleus
  • Phagocytosis: Remove dead cells and debris
• Types of granulocytes


  • Neutrophils
  • Eosinophils
  • Basophils
• Neutrophils


  Most common, remove dead cells and debris
• Eosinophils


  Reduce inflammation, destroy diseases
• Basophils


  Least common, releases histamine (substance) and nephrin
• Agranulocytes


  No specific granules
• Monocytes


  Large size and produce macrophages (removes dead cells and debris)
• Platelets


  Thrombocyte, produced in red blood marrow called megakaryocytes
• Vascular spasm


  Immediate but temporary, can close small vessels, made by chemicals released by cells of damaged blood vessels and by platelets
• Platelet plug formation


  Activate, change shape, and release chemicals
• Blood clotting


  • Clots: network of thread-like proteins (fibrin)
  • Anticoagulants: prevents clots from forming
  • Fibrinolysis: process of dissolving a clot
  • Plasminogen: plasma protein breaks down a clot
• Antigens


  Molecules on the surface of red blood cells
• Antibodies


  Proteins in plasma that connect to certain antigens
• Blood groups


  Formed according to antigens
• Diagnostic blood tests


  • Complete blood count
  • Hematocrit
  • Hemoglobin
  • White blood cell differential
• Leukopenia


  Low white blood cell count (radiation, chemotherapy drugs, tumors, viral infections)
• Leukocytosis


  High white blood cells (infections and leukemia)