Structure Of Blood Flashcards
Plasma
Liquid part of blood
- yellow, made mostly of water
- elements suspended here: gases, electrolytes, carbs, fats, proteins, clotting factors and waste products
Formed elements
Cells suspended in plasma
Red blood cells
Transports oxygen throughout body
Hemoglobin
Large molecules with iron atoms binds to oxygen
White blood cells
Fight infection
Platelets
Gather at sites of damage blood vessels
-part of blood-clotting process
Collecting plasma
Blood specimens with anticoagulant: whole-blood specimens
-when centrifuged, whole-blood specimen separates into three layers: plasma, white blood cells and platelets (Buffy coat) and red blood cells
Serum
Plasma with clotting factors
- fibrinogen removed
- collected by allowing blood to coagulate
- after centrifugation, serum tube have 2 layers: serum and clotted blood
- serum separator tube (SST): gel layer separate serum from clotted blood
Blood groups (types)
Determine by presence of antigens
Antigens
Protein activate antibodies
Antibodies
Immune system proteins that bind to antigens to destroy attached cell or pathogen
Agglutinate
Clump, when antibodies attack RBCs
Lyse
Break apart
Transfusion reaction
When antibodies attack RBCs, cells agglutinate, and lyse
ABO blood group
Presence or absence of A antigens and B antigens
- RBC may contain A antigens, B antigens, both antigens or neither antigens
- if do not have one type of antigen, plasma contain antibodies that attack antigens
