Blood

• Functions of blood


  • Transportation
  • Regulation
  • Protection
• Components of blood


  • Plasma: water, ions, organic molecules, vitamins, gases
  • Cellular elements: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets
• Plasma


  Liquid portion of blood containing water and proteins
• Formed elements


  Cellular components: erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), thrombocytes (platelets)
• Serum


  Blood plasma without its clotting factors
• Whole blood


  Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets suspended in a protective yellow liquid known as plasma
• Packed blood


  Packed red blood cells (PRBCs) made from a unit of whole blood by centrifugation and removal of most of the plasma
• Total blood volume


  8% of body weight, 5-6 liters (1.5 gal) in average adult male, 4-5 liters (1.2 gal) in average adult female
• Plasma proteins


  • Albumins (60%, transports hormones, drugs, vitamins, enzymes, tissue repair, wound healing)
  • Globulins (38%, transport fat and fat soluble vitamins, antibodies)
  • Fibrinogen (4-7%, involved in blood clotting)
• Fibrinogen


  Protein of plasma, makes up 4-7% of total plasma, involved in blood clotting
• Albumins


  Plasma protein, 60% of total, mainly forms in liver, transports substances, hormones, drugs, vitamins, and enzymes, tissue repair, wound healing
• Immunoglobulins


  Antigen-specific proteins produced by specialized B lymphocytes that protect the body by binding to foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses
• Lipoproteins


  Compounds in which the hydrophobic triglycerides are packaged in protein envelopes for transport in body fluids
• Red bone marrow


  Where hematopoiesis—the production of blood cells—takes place. Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are all produced here.
• Erythropoietin (EPO)


  Hormone produced by the kidneys in response to low oxygen levels
• Red blood cell lifespan

  120 days
• White blood cell lifespan

  1. 6 to 8 hours
• Pernicious anemia


  Caused by poor absorption of vitamin B12, often seen in patients with Crohn's disease
• Hemorrhagic anemia


  Sub-type of anemia, a common blood disorder that occurs when the body has fewer red blood cells than normal
• Aplastic anemia


  Condition in which there are deficient numbers of RBC stem cells, often inherited or triggered by radiation, medication, chemotherapy, or infection
• Hematocrit


  The percentage of total blood volume occupied by red blood cells
• Average hematocrit


  Males: 40-54%, average 47. Females: 38-46%, average 42.
• Determining blood type


  Blood sample, ABO typing
• Types of leukocytes


  • Neutrophils
  • Basophils
  • Eosinophils
  • Lymphocytes
• Neutrophils


  Part of leukocytes, granulocytes, make up 50-70%
• Basophils


  Part of leukocytes, granulocytes, make up 0.5-1%
• Eosinophils


  Part of leukocytes, granulocytes, make up 2-4%
• Lymphocytes


  Part of erythrocytes, agranulocytes, make up 25-45%
• Platelets


  Cell fragments involved in blood clotting
• Endocrinology


  Specialty in the field of medicine that focuses on the treatment of endocrine system disorders
• Cytology


  The study of cells using a microscope
• Immunology


  The study of the immune system, an important branch of medical and biological sciences
• Hematology


  The study of blood, blood forming tissue and the disorders associated with them
• Graves' disease


  Chronic autoimmune disorder in which antibodies destroy the communication between nerves and muscle, resulting in weakness of the skeletal muscles
• Cushing syndrome


  Excessive production of cortisol which causes rapid weight gain in the trunk and face, depression, anxiety, high blood glucose levels, and risk of obesity
• Hemophilia


  Genetic disorder that causes failure of blood clot
• Addison's disease


  Hyposecretion of corticosteroids which causes low blood glucose levels and low blood sodium levels
• Origin of hormones


  • Thyroxin: Thyroid gland
  • TSH: Pituitary (anterior)
  • Parathormone: Parathyroid gland
  • Calcitonin: Thyroid gland
• Origin of hormones


  • Epinephrine: Adrenal (cortex)
  • Aldosterone: Adrenal (cortex)
  • Insulin: Pancreas
• Origin of hormones


  • Estrogen: Ovaries
  • Progesterone: Ovaries
  • Relaxin: Ovaries and placenta