Also known as the EPO hormone that stimulates RBC production; produced in the kidneys
Erythrocytosis
Increase in number of circulating red blood cells
Erythrocytopenia
Decrease in number of circulating red blood cells
Anemia
Decrease in oxygen capacity of RBCs; not a disease, but a symptom
Macrocytic
Bigger RBC than its normal size
Microcytic
Smaller RBCs than its normal size
Normocytic
RBCs has normal size
Pokilocytosis
Variation in RBC shape
Anisocytosis
Variation in RBC size
Hyperchromic
RBCs appear darker than normal due to increased hemoglobin content
Hypochromic
RBCs appear pale than normal due to a decreased hemoglobin content
Normochromic
Normal RBC hemoglobin content
Blood
A specialized connective tissue that has fluid extracellular matrix known as plasma, with suspended cellular elements
General functions of blood
Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide
Transport nutrients to tissues and organs
Transport hormone to target organs
Maintain/regulate homeostasis (water and acid-base balance, body temperature, degree of irritability of tissues)
Serve as body's defense mechanism against infection
Blood characteristics
pH level slightly basic with a range of 7.35 - 7.45
Higherdensity and viscosity than water due to its formed elements
Blood volume is around 80% of total body weight (males 5-6 liters, females 4-5 liters)
Blood is composed of 55% plasma and 45% of cellular elements
Liquid components of blood
Plasma (fluid matrix of the whole blood, contains colorless fluid and is mainly composed of 90% water)
Serum (liquid portion of the clotted blood without fibrinogen, contains growth factors and other proteins released by the platelets during the clotting process)
Erythrocytes (RBC)
Biconcave disc in 6-8 ɥm in diameter, formed in the bone marrow, non-nucleated, average lifespan of 30-120 days,
contains hemoglobin (oxygen binding pigment responsible for the transport of most O2 in the body, compound of iron and protein, combines readily with O2 to form oxyhemoglobin)