The Blood

Transport System

Composition of the Blood

Blood makes up ~8% of total body weight
~55% plasma
~45% formed elements
4 to 5 liters for average females
5 to 6 liters for average male

*the higher percent body fat the less blood you have per
kilogram of weight

Plasma

90% water
10% solutes (salts and minerals)

Formed Elements
Red Blood Cells (RBCs) (erythrocytes)
White Blood cells (WBCs) (leukocytes)
Platelets (thrombocytes)
RBCs make up about 45% of blood volume
WBCs and platelets make up about 1%

Blood Composition

Red Blood Cells(erythrocytes)

Mature cells lack a
nucleus and most
organelles
Hemoglobin, red
pigment, makes up 1/3 of
cell volume
RBCs are highly flexible
because of spectrin
protein
Flexibility can determine
the speed of blood flow
Men have more RBCs
because of the influence
of testosterone

Hematocrit tubes

Hematocrit tubes show normal, anemic and polycythemia

Function of RBCs
Hemoglobin and
carbonic anhydrase
both work to
transport O2 and
CO2
Total surface area
of all of an adults
RBCs is about as big
as a football field

Hemoglobin
Made up of 4 protein
chains called globins
Each chain is bound
to a heme group
which contains one
Fe
The iron can bind to
one O2
Each globin can bind
to one CO2

Formation of RBCs
Erythropoiesis begins
with hematopoietic stem
cells in red bone marrow
New red blood cells take
4 days to mature
Sickle cell anemiainherited defect, causes
a defective hemaglobin.
Cells become sickle
shaped and can clog
blood vessels.

Formation of RBCs
Decreased
levels of
oxygen
stimulate the
production of
RBCs by
secreting
erythropoietin
(EPO) from
the kidneys

Destruction of RBCs
~200 million RBCs are formed each
day to replace the equal amount
destroyed

Lifespan of RBCs is 105-120 days

Lining of blood vessels in liver and

spleen destroy damaged or
fragmented RBCs
Components of the cells are broken
and reused to make more RBCs
Bone marrow must have a constant
supply of iron, B12, and amino acids
to make new RBCs
B12 is called the antianemic
principle

White Blood Cells(leukocytes)

Granulocytes

Neutrophils multi-lobed

make up about 65% of

WBC count
Move from blood
vessels into tissues
through diapedesis
Eosinophils orange-ish
Fight infection caused
by parasitic worms and
allergic reactions

neutrophils

eosinophils

Basophils dark purple

Granules contain
histamine and heparin
(anticoagulant)

basophils

Who has pimples?

BEN does. Basophils, eosinophils, neutrophils

White Blood Cells(leukocytes)

Agranulocytes
Lymphocytes eyes
Ingest infected or
cancerous cells
Create antibodies

Monocytes Mongo
kidney-shaped lobe

lymphocytes

Largest of the
leukocytes
Ingest infected cells

monocytes

White blood cells numbers

Differential white
blood cell count can
indicate different
types of infections.
Certain drugs can
cause leukopenia
(low WBC count)

Platelets
Are small cells with
special
characterisitcs:
agglutination,
adhesiveness, and
aggregration.
Once they leave the
blood vessels they
become misshapen
and clump together

Platelet Action
Platelets have two roles,
hemostasis (blood flow
stoppage) and coagulation
(blood clotting).
Hemostatic action will occur
when a platelet encounters a
tear in a capillary. It will form
a platelet plug to stop blood
from flowing into the tissue.

resting platelets

Coagulation occurs when sticky

platelets release chemicals
to cause the blood to clot.
Platelets have a life span of ~7 days

activated platelets

Blood Clotting
Clotting Factors in the blood, in blood
cells, and in tissues combine in a
metabolic cascade when damage to
cells or tissues occurs.
Factors in the blood are called intrinsic
Factors in tissues are called extrinsic
ProthrombinThrombinFibrinogenFibrinClot

Blood Clotting
As platelets bind to injury site
they release chemicals that
trigger the clotting process.
Fibrin forms at site of injury and
entangle RBCs.
Calcium in the blood and vitamin
K are an important cofactors in
coagulation.
Arteriosclerosis can increase
clotting because platelets stick
to rough patches.
Applying a rough surface such as
gauze, heat or pressure as well
as direct application of clotting
agents can speed up clotting.

Clot Dissolving
After a while, the clot must
dissolve.
Fibrinolysis
Heparin is major anticoagulant
produced in by the liver

Blood Disorders
Anemia-inability of blood to transport O2
Aplastic anemia-caused by destruction of bone
marrow, drugs, radiation or idiopathic.
Pernicious anemia- results from lack of vitamin B 12
Folate-deficiency anemia- results from lack of folic
acid, common in alcoholics
Acute blood loss anemia- occurs after serious
injury.

Blood Disorders
Clotting disorders

Thrombus- is a localized

blood clot, thrombosis.

Embolus- when a clot
circulates in blood stream,
embolism.

Hemophilia is an inherited
(sex linked) disorder where
the blood has difficulty
clotting. No Factor VIII

Thrombocytopeniableeding occurs throughout

the body because of low
platelets usually caused by
destruction of bone
marrow.

Blood Types

Blood type is determined by the type of antigens

found on the outside of RBCs.
Blood plasma will then contain antigens only for
the type not found on the persons RBCs.

Agglutination

Agglutination will only occur when antibodies encounter foreign antigens.

Blood Donations
Homologous transfusion- when a persons receives a matching blood type
from another person
Autologous transfusion- when a person donates blood to themselves.

Rh factor
Rh+ positive persons
carry the Rh antigen
Rh- negative person
has no antibodies
against the antigen
until they are
exposed to it
through either blood
transfusions or
pregnancy.