Blood

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Blood

• Blood is the fluid through which gases, waste
  products, nutrients and hormones are transported
  throughout the body.
• The average human body contains 5L of blood.

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4 Components of the Blood

• Blood is made up of 4 Components
• Plasma
• Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells)
• Leukocytes (White Blood Cells)
• Platelets

Plasma makes up 55 of the blood and blood cells
(erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets) make up
45 of the blood.
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Components of Blood Plasma

• Structure and Function
• -Fluid medium through which the solid blood
  components, and other molecules (dissolved
  gasses, nutrients, wastes, and hormones) are
  transported around the body
• -Contain proteins necessary
• for blood clotting, and antibodies
• which are necessary for providing
• immunity for diseases such as
• the measles.

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Components of the Blood Erythrocytes (Red Blood
Cells)

• Structure and Function
• Contains hemoglobin (a molecule that enables the
  cell to bind Oxygen molecules)
• Erythrocytes not have a nucleus allowing the cell
  to carry increased hemoglobin

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Components of the Blood Leukocytes (White Blood
Cells)

• Structure and Function
• Protect the body against invading microorganisms
  and toxins
• Destroy microorganisms by engulfing and digesting
  them
• Produce antibodies which protect the organism
  against microorganisms and
• play a large role in the immune
• system
• Contain a nucleus

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Components of the Blood Platelets

• Structure and Function
• Fragments of larger cells produced in the bone
  marrow
• Function to initiate blood clotting
• When platelets encounter a sharp edge (from a
  cut) they rupture which releases a substance that
  reacts with proteins in the plasma to create a
  mesh of fibers
• Fiber mesh prevents further blood flow

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Components of the Blood Platelets
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Discussion Questions

• 1. Patients with hemophilia can lose large
  amounts of blood from a small cut. Affected
  individuals have mutations in components of their
  blood that hinders clotting. Which component(s)
  of the blood (plasma, leukocytes, erythrocytes,
  or platelets) do you think hemophilia affects?
  Explain your answer.

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Discussion Questions

• 2. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks
  the white blood cells of an affected individual.
  How would the reduced numbers of white blood
  cells impact the health of an HIV positive
  individual?

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Discussion Questions

• 3. When performing surgery doctors require large
  amounts of platelets (obtained through blood
  donation). Why do you think platelets would be
  necessary for a procedure such as open heart
  surgery?

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Discussion Questions

• 4. Red blood cells lack a nucleus to make room
  for more hemoglobin. Why would increased
  hemoglobin in red blood cells be beneficial to a
  human?

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Name that Cell!
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Homework

• Page 202 Q 1, 9