Accelerated Biology

Plasma Liquid portion of

blood 90% water 10 % solutes

metabolites – nutrients, vitamins, hormones, gases

salts – sodium, chloride

proteins – help in blood clotting and fighting infection

wastes

Red Blood Cells (RBC) carry oxygen hemoglobin protein

binds to the oxygen biconcave shape

increases the surface area

called erythrocytes Only live ~ 4 months

new cells constantly produced in the bone marrow

old worn out cells destroyed in the spleen

The oxygen carrying capacity of the blood cells is reduced

Can result from a loss of blood or nutritional deficiencies

Symptoms include fatigue, loss of energy, leg cramps Organs are not getting the oxygen they need

White Blood Cells (WBC) defend the body

against disease Only 1 or 2 WBC for

every 1,000 RBC! called leukocytes

Platelets function in blood

clotting cell fragments that

are irregularly shaped and colorless

When damage occurs, they rush to the site and form a clump that stops the blood loss

called thrombocytes,

A disease where the blood fails to clot

Caused by a mutation in the gene that codes for one of the blood clotting factor proteins

Called “The Royal Disease” Queen Victoria was

a carrier and past the gene on to many of her descendents

Blood type is genetically determined by the presence or absence of antigens on the surface of RBC

Antigens can provoke an immune response Blood plasma contains WBC called antibodies People with AB blood are the universal

recipients because they have A and B antigens and no antibodies

People with O blood are the universal donors because they have no antigens to trigger an immune reaction

In 1941 Charlie Chaplin met a young Actress named Joan Barry and had an affair with her. Shortly after the affair ended, Barry gave birth to a daughter and claimed Charlie was the father. Barry – Type A Child – Type B Chaplin – Type O

Could Charlie Chaplin be the father of this child?

No! He cant be the father. The father must carry an O allele, which Charlie does not.

Blood typing was a brand new technology and was not admissible in the court case.

The judge ordered Charlie to pay child support until the child’s 18th birthday.

The +/– blood type comes from a different antigen called Rh factor

originally identified in Rhesus monkeys if you have the protein Rh+ if you lack the protein Rh–

RhoGAM is given to an Rh- pregnant woman with an Rh+ fetus to prevent her body from developing antibodies that would harm her baby.

Blood pressure is the force that the blood exerts against the vessels.

This provides information about the health of the arteries.

It is measured as a ratio in mm of Hg (Mercury)

Systolic

diastolic Systolic is the pressure exerted when the

ventricles contract and blood is pushed into the arteries.

Diastolic is the pressure exerted when the heart relaxes.

An average BP reading is 120/80

Blood pressure is measured by an instrument called a sphygmomanometer. It is best to measure blood pressure when you are relaxed and sitting or lying down.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, increases the chances that a vessel will burst.

Atherosclerosis – Blood flow is blocked by the buildup of fatty deposits inside the arteries.

Arteriosclerosis - Blood flow is blocked by the buildup of calcium deposits inside the arteries. Literally means hardening of the arteries. Now the heart has to work harder to pump the

blood through since the arteries are no longer elastic.

Healthy diet Regular exercise Not smoking Regular medical

checkups Early diagnosis and

treatment of high BP