Human Blood Flashcards
What is blood made of?
Several cells that float in plasma
What does plasma contain?
Different substances that are dissolved in it - amino acids, hormones, CO2, urea
What are the proteins in plasma called?
Plasma proteins
What shape are red blood cells?
Bioconcave disc
What are red blood cells filled with?
Haemoglobin
Why is it good for the RBC to have a biconcave disc shape?
-Allows for flexibility
-More space for haemoglobin
-Large surface area
How long to RBC live for?
120 days
Where are RBC made?
Bone marrow
How many RBC are made a second?
2 million
People who live at high altitudes have what happen to their RBC?
There is less O2 in the air, thus, they produce more red blood cells so that their blood can transport enough oxygen around their bodies
What is aneamia?
When a person’s blood has too little RBC
What is the cause of anaemia?
Iron deficiency or loss of blood
What is oxyhaemoglobin?
The combonation of O2 and haemoglobin
How many times bigger are WBC cells than RBC?
2x
What are WBC important for in our bodies?
Immune system
What are pathogens?
Organisms wich cause disease e.g. bacteria, viruses
What 2 things destroy pathogens?
Phagocytes and Lymphocytes
How do Phagocytes destroy pathogens?
By digesting them through the process of phagocytosis
Explain the process of phagocytosis
- Cell flows around bacteria
- Cell traps bacteria
- Bacteria becomes trapped in a vacuole
- Enzymes are secreted into the vacuole, they kill and digest bacteria
- soluble substances made by digestion are absorbed into phagocyte’s cytoplasm
How do lymphocytes destroy bacteria?
By producing antibodies, they may kill or make it easier for the phagocytes to kill the pathogens
What are platelets? Do they have a nucleus?
Fragments of cells, they do not have a nucleus
Where are platelets made?
Red bone marrow
In what process to platelets help in?
Clotting
What does clotting prevent?
Prevents too much blood loss and pathogens from entering the body
What makes blood clot?
Platelets and thrombin system
What is haemophilia?
A disease caused by the lack of the protein factor viii. It results in the extremely slow clotting of blood.
What is used to prevent blood needed for transfusions from clotting?
An anticoagulant such as sodium citrate
What happens when a blood clot occurs in an artery?
A thrombosis which can cause a stroke or heart attack
What is it called when someone looses a lot of blood?
A haemorrhage
What is the sticking together of RBC called?
Agglutination
Types of blood groups
A, B, AB, O
What does donor mean?
The person giving the blood
What does recipient mean?
The person receiving the blood
What is found on the surface of RBC?
Antigens
What is found in the plasma?
Antibodies
What are the 2 types of antigens?
A and B
What are the 2 types of antibodies?
Anti-A and anti-B
What happens if antibody A mixes with antigen A?
Agglutination
What happens if antibody B mixes with antigen B?
Agglutination
Who is the universal donor?
O
Who is the universal recipient?
AB
What happens if Rh+ blood is given to a person with Rh- blood
The first time no harm is done but the Rh- person will begin to produce anti-Rhesus antibodies, the second time the blood will start attacking itself
Symptoms of Rhesus disease
Haemolytic anaemia, jaundice
What is haemolytic anaemia?
When many red blood cells are destroyed, decreasing the number RBC causing less oxygen to be transported around the body
What is jaundice?
An illness caused by the build up of bilirubin (bilirubin is a yellow substance created when red blood cells are broken down). This illness causes yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin.
Why do rhesus baby’s develop jaundice?
Bilirubin is broken down by the liver but because newborns’ livers are not fully developed they can’t handle the increase of bilirubin and amount of red blood cells being destroyed, this is why it develops jaundice.
What is the treatment for Rhesus disease?
Phototherapy treatment
What is phototherapy?
Blue light is used to change the molecular structure of bilirubin from fat soluble to water soluble, this allows for bilirubin to be excreted in urine.
What are mothers who are making anti-Rhesus antibodies given?
Anti-rhesus immunoglobulin, this prevents them from making the antibodies
percentage of people with Rh+ blood
85%
percentage of people with Rh- blood
15%
Percentage of people with O, A, B, AB blood
47%, 41%, 9%, 3%
Functions of blood
Transport, protection, regulation
Blood transports what around the body?
-O2 from lungs to all cells of the body
-CO2 from cells to lungs
-Food substances from intestines to all parts of the body
-Unwanted substances from the cells to the kidneys to get rid of them
-Hormones and antibodies from one part of the body to another
How does the blood protect the body?
-Produces antibodies to kill germs
-Phagocytosis of germs
-Clotting of blood to prevent blood loss and germs from entering the body
How does the blood regulate our bodies?
-Controls the amount of water and chemicals in tissues
-Helps keep body temperature constant by spreading warmth evenly around the body
