11.2 Blood

Question 1

Human blood consists of 2 main components

Answer 1

Cellular and intercellular component

Question 2

Cellular component

Answer 2

red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets

Question 3

Intercellular component

Answer 3

Yellow coloured liquid called plasma

Question 4

What separates blood into its components

Answer 4

Centrifuge

Question 5

Plasma

Answer 5

Protein rich liquid in white blood cells and platelets
Over 90% of plasma is water
Dissolved in plasma is oxygen, protein, nutrients, minerals, vitamins, CO2 and waste product

Question 6

Proteins in plasma

Answer 6

Albumins, globulins and fibrinogen

Question 7

Albumins

Answer 7

Controls water balance

Question 8

Globulins

Answer 8

Transports lipids and includes antibiotics

Question 9

Fibrinogen

Answer 9

Role in blood clotting

Question 10

Red blood cells

Answer 10

They are very tiny
The main function of the red blood cells is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the body and carry back CO2 to be expelled.
Red blood cells are formed from stem cells in the marrow of vertebrae, ribs, breastbone, skull and arm/leg bones.
They mature, the nucleus breaks down, making more space for hemoglobin
Eventually, they die after after 120 days

Question 11

White blood cells

Answer 11

These are also formed in bone marrow
There are various types of white blood cells
They are the first line of defense against bacteria, viruses and other harmful organisms.

Question 12

2 types of white blood cells

Answer 12

Granular and agranular

Question 13

Granular white blood cells

Answer 13

Small particles or grains in their cytoplasm to attack foreign materials and microorganisms

Question 14

Agranular white blood cells

Answer 14

Aka “Lymphocytes” and “Monocytes:, specialized for engulfing bacteria and other microorganisms.

Question 15

Platelets

Answer 15

Platelets are small cell fragments produced from stem cells in bone marrow.
They are in charge of blood clotting or “Conjugation”.
When a blood vessel breaks, chemicals in the platelets cause the platelets to stick to collagen fibers in the blood vessel wall.
As more and more stick, a temporary clot is in place.
Fibrinogen in the plasma is converted to long strands of fibrin, forming a mesh trap to catch more platelets.
If the clot breaks off and enters the bloodstream, it can block off a blood vessel.
If this happens to the brain, a stroke can occur.

Question 16

Counting red blood cells

Answer 16

When a blood sample is taken, doctors do a complete blood count “CBC”.
A hemocytometer can predict erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets in a given volume.
Anemia: red blood cell count is lower than expected
Causing fatigue, most commonly caused by low iron.
A high leukocyte count is a sign of your body fighting infection
Also a sign of a blood cancer known as leukemia.

Question 17

How we determine blood type

Answer 17

The presence of sugars or “Markers” in the blood on the cell membrane of erythrocytes.
Called “A” “B” markers
If your have both, your AB blood type
If your have neither, your O blood type
We need to transfuse similar blood types
If we put A blood in someone with type B Blood, the blood will build antibodies to fight the new blood.

Question 18

What is the best blood type to give and receive

Answer 18

Give: O negative
Receive: AB
O negative blood has no antigens, it will not trigger an immune response, even if the recipient has a different blood type. AB can receive any type of blood as it has A and B both in it

Question 19

Rhesus factor

Answer 19

An inherited factor, affecting compatibility of blood
Discovered while studying blood in rhesus monkeys
An antigen on erythrocyte membrane that produces an antibody reaction.
This is present in about 85% of population, and they’re known to be Rh-positive
The remaining 15% who don’t have it are called Rh-negative.