Blood Typing Lab Background Information Blood Blood transports

Blood Typing Lab Background Information

Blood • Blood transports everything that must be carried from one place to another within the body- nutrients, wastes, and body heat. • It is the only fluid tissue, with both solid and liquid components.

Blood • Blood is approximately 55% plasma and 45% cells • Plasma: is water, salts and proteins. • Cells: 1. Red Blood Cells – contains hemoglobin which allows these cells to carry oxygen. 2. White Blood Cells – provide a defense mechanism against invaders in the body. 3. Platelets- allow the blood to clot

Plasma • Plasma is approximately 90% water and makes up the liquid part of the blood. • Over 100 different substances are dissolved in the plasma. • Nutrients, salts, respiratory gasses, hormones, proteins, wastes and products of cell metabolism.

Erythrocytes • Red blood cells contain no nucleus and are basically sacs of hemoglobin. • Hemoglobin is an iron containing protein that allows the RBC to transport oxygen.

Leukocytes • White blood cells are less numerous than RBC and contain nuclei and the other usual organelles. • They can slip in and out of capillaries and locate areas of tissue damage and infection in the body by responding to certain chemicals that diffuse from damaged cells.

Platelets • Platelets are fragments of multinucleate cells called megakaryocytes that rupture releasing thousands of pieces that quickly seal themselves off from surrounding fluids.

Blood Cell Formation

Rate of RBC Production

Fluid Mosaic Model

Fluid Mosaic Model • The cell membrane of red blood cells, like other cells, has molecules that project from it’s surface. Some of these molecules function as identification badges. They allow the immune system to recognize the cell as a normal component of an individuals body.

Antigens and Antibodies • Acting as the body's army, antibodies are proteins generally found in the blood that detect and destroy invaders, like bacteria and viruses.

Antigens and Antibodies • Molecules which are recognized as foreign by the immune system and trigger an immune response are called antigens. The immune system attacks these antigens and attempts to destroy them and the cells that carry them.

Blood Typing • Type A blood has the A antigen on the red blood cells and anti-B antibodies in the plasma. • Type B blood has the B antigen on the red blood cells and the anti-A antibodies in the plasma • Type AB blood has both antigens on the red blood cells and no antibodies in the plasma. • Type O blood has no has neither A nor B antigens on the cells and has both antibodies in the plasma.

Blood Typing • Another antigen found on the surface of red blood cells is the Rh factor. Blood with the Rh factor is said to be Rh+. Blood with out the Rh factor is Rh-