FUNCTIONS OF BLOOD

1. Transport of gases, nutrients and waste

products.
2. Transport of processed molecules.
3. Transport of regulatory molecules.
4. Regulation of pH and osmosis.
5. Maintenance of body temperature.
6. Protection against foreign substances.
7. Clot formation.
COMPOSITION OF BLOOD
• Blood- a type of connective tissue that
consists of cells and cell fragments
surrounded by a liquid matrix.
 Formed elements- cells and cell fragments
 Plasma- liquid portion
 F= 4-5 L total blood volume
 M= 5-6 L total blood volume
Plasma
• Pale yellow fluid that consists of
91% water; 7% protein and 2%
other substances (ions, nutrients,
gases, waste products)
1. Albumin
2. Globulin
3. Fibrinogen
Plasma
1. Albumin
• 58% of the plasma proteins;
• produced in the liver
• important in regulating blood volume by
maintaining the osmotic pressure of the blood
compartment.
• serve as carriers for molecules of low water
solubility, including lipid soluble hormones, bile
salts, bilirubin, free fatty acids (apoprotein),
calcium, iron (transferrin), and some drugs.
• N= 3.4-5.4g/dL
2. Globulins
• accounts for 38% of the plasma
proteins; some are antibodies.
• N= 2.0 to 3.5 g/dL

3. Fibrinogen- constitutes 4% of
plasma protein; responsible for
formation of blood clots.
Formed elements
• Hematopoeisis- process of blood cell
production.
 Fetus- occurs in the liver, thymus gland,
spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow
 Adults- confined in the red bone marrow
* all formed elements are derived from stem
cells
Formed elements
1. Red blood cells
 “erythrocytes”
 Biconcave disc with no nucleus
 Edges are thicker than the center of the cell (has great surface
area); making gases to move easier into and out of the RBC; can
bend or fold, decrease in size to pass more easily through small
blood vessels
Formed elements
1. Red blood cells
 Lifespan: M= 120 days; F= 110 days
 Hemoglobin- main component;
pigmented protein which gives the red
color
 M= 4.6-6.2 million/mm3
 F= 4.2-5.4 million/mm3
 Function of RBC
• Transport oxygen from the lungs to various
tissues of the body.
• Assist in transport of carbon dioxide from
tissues to the lungs.
• Hemoglobin that is bound to oxygen is red
in color.
• Hemoglobin without bound oxygen is
darker in color
 Life history of RBCs
• The process of cell division requires B
vitamins folate and B12. Iron is required for
the production of hemoglobin.

•
Life history of RBCs
• Red blood cell production is
stimulated by low blood
oxygen levels caused by:
– ↓ number of RBC
– ↓ or defective
hemoglobin
– Diseases of the lungs
– High altitude
– ↑ tissue demand for O2
– Inability of
cardiovascular system to
deliver blood to tissues
Life history of RBCs
• Old abnormal, damaged
RBC are removed from the
blood by macrophages
located in the spleen and
liver.
• The heme molecules are
converted to bilirubin a
yellow pigment molecule.
• If the liver is not functioning
normally, flow of bile is
hindered causing bilirubin to
stay in the circulation and
produces jaundice.
Formed Elements
2. White blood cells
 “leukocytes”
 Spherical cells that are
whitish in color
 Larger than RBC
 Do not have hemoglobin
 Can leave the blood by
ameboid movement
 N=5T- 9T/ mm3
Formed Elements
2. White blood cells
 Functions:
1. Protect the body
against invading
microorganism.
2. Remove dead cells
and debris from the
tissues by
phagocytosis
 White Blood Cell
• Granulocyte- WBC with large cytoplasmic
granules
• Agranulocyte- with very small granules
Granulocytes
1. Neutrophils
• Most common type
• Nuclei are commonly lobed
varying from 2-4
• Remains in the blood for a
short time
(10-12 H)
• Phagocyte
• Dead neutrophils, cell debris
and fluid can accumulate as
pus at sites of infection.
Granulocytes
2. Basophils
• Least common of all WBCs
• Contain large cytoplasmic
granules that stain blue or
purple with basic dyes
• Release histamine and other
chemicals that promote
inflammation
• Release heparin to prevent
formation of clots
Granulocytes
3. Eosinophils
• Cytoplasmic granules stain
bright red with eosin
• Has 2 lobed nucleus
• Release chemical that
reduce inflammation
• Involved with destructiton
of certain worm parasites
Agranulocytes
1. Lymphocytes
• Smallest of the WBCs.
• The cytoplasm consists
of a thin imperceptible
ring around the nucleus.
• Plays an important role
in the body’s immune
system.
• B-cell; T-cell; NK-cell
Agranulocytes
2. Monocytes
• Largest of the WBCs
• Become
macrophages
• Eat bacteria, dead
cells, cell fragments
and other debris
Formed elements
3. Platelets
 “thrombocytes”
 Minute fragments of
cells
 Produced in the red
bone marrow from
megakaryocytes
 N= 250T- 400T/mm3
Formed elements
3. Platelets
 Plays an important role in
preventing blood loss by:
1. Formation of platelet plugs which
seal holes in small vessels
2. Formation of clots which help seal
off larger wounds in the vessels.
• Vascular spasm- immediate but
temporary constriction of a blood vessel
resulting from a contraction of smooth
muscles within the wall of the vessels
causing the flow of blood to stop.

• Platelet plug- accumulation of platelets

that can seal up a small break in a blood
vessel. Very important in maintaining
integrity of the circulatory system.
• Platelet adhesion- results in platelets
sticking to collagen exposed by blood
vessel damage.

• Fibrinogen receptors- binds fibrinogen to

a plasma protein.

• Platelet aggregation- forms bridges

between the fibrinogen receptors of
numerous platelets, resulting in formation
of a platelet plug.
Platelet plug
formation
 Blood Clotting
• Results from a damaged blood vessel
• Fibrin-”clot” threadlike protein fibers
• Clotting factors- manufactured in the
liver and requires vitamin K for
synthesis
• Clotting time= 5-10 min
Clot Formation

Clotting fx

Active form

Inactive form
converts
Clotting Factors
 Fibrinolysis

inactive active
Stimulated
by t-PA
 Blood Grouping
• Transfusion- transfer of blood or blood
components from one individual to another.
• Infusion- introduction of a fluid other than
blood such as saline or glucose solution into
the blood.
• Transfusion reactions- caused by interactions
between antigens and antibodies. This
include clumping of blood vessels, rupture of
blood cells, and clotting within blood vessels.
ABO Blood Group
ABO Blood Group
Agglutination Reaction
 Rh Blood Group
• Was first studied in
the rhesus monkey.
• Rh- positive- Rh
antigens are present on
the surface of RBC
• Rh-negative- no
presence of Rh antigen
Antibodies against Rh
antigens do not develop
unless an Rh- negative
person is exposed to Rh-
positive RBC
Hemolytic Disease of the
Newborn
Hemolytic Disease of the
Newborn
Hemolytic Disease of the
Newborn
CLINICAL FOCUS
• Erythrocytosis
– Relative
erythrocytosis
– Primary
erythrocytosis
– Secondary
erythrocytosis
 CLINICAL FOCUS
• Anemia
– Aplastic anemia
– IDA
– Folate deficiency
– Pernicious anemia
– Hemorrhagic anemia
•
– Hemolytic anemia
– Thalasemia
– Sickle cell anemia
– leukemia
CLINICAL FOCUS
• Disseminated
Intravascualr
coagulation

• Hemophilia

• Von willebrand’s
disease
 CLINICAL FOCUS
• Infectious disease
– Septicemia
– Septic shock
– Malaria
– Infectious mononucleosis
– AIDS
– hepatitis
Blood Donation
"A little bit of information on
the process of donating
blood."
Which international organization
coordinates the regular donation of
blood?
A.The Red Army
B.The Salvation Army
C.The Red Cross
D.The Blue Cross
Do you have to know
your blood type to
donate?
Yes or No
If all safety precautions are
taken, you cannot contract
HIV or AIDS from donating
blood.
True or False
Which blood group is known as
the 'universal donor'?
A.A-
B.O+
C.O-
D.A+
Which group are the 'universal
receivers?
A.AB-
B.B+
C.A-
D.AB+
What is the upper age limit for
donating blood in the USA, as of
2002?
A.There is no upper limit
B.60 years
C.65 years
D.70 years
Is donated blood
generally stored at
room temperature?
Yes or No
Patients undergoing certain types of
surgery can opt to donate their own
blood before the procedure. They are
then transfused their own blood if they
need it. What is this type of blood
donation called?
A.Automatic
B.Autologous
C.Autoerotic
D.Autolytic
What “naturally occurring” ABO
antibodies are present in a person
with group A blood?
A.Anti-B antibodies
B.Anti-A and anti-B antibodies
C.Anti-A antibodies
D.No antibodies are present in group A
people
What does the blood group “B Positive”
mean?
A.The person is ABO group B only
B.The person is ABO Group B and Rh (D)
positive.
C.The person is unlikely to be able to find
donor blood in China
D.The person is very happy and optimistic
Blood donation is a safe
and simple process that
takes around 30 minutes.
In what circumstances do
patients need blood transfusion?

Is all the collected blood tested?

Who is a healthy donor?

What are the benefits of

donating blood?