Anatomy & Physiology Chapter 19

Functions of Blood

• Transportation of O2, CO2, nutrients (glucose, calcium), hormones, and waste products.
• Regulation of body temperature, pH, and overall homeostasis.
• Protection through hemostasis (clotting) and immunity (antibodies).

Components of Blood

• Blood comprises formed elements (cells and fragments) and plasma (liquid matrix).
• Formed elements include leukocytes (white blood cells), erythrocytes (red blood cells), and thrombocytes (platelets).
• Plasma consists of water, proteins, and other solutes; key for transporting substances.

Hematology Overview

• Study of blood components in health and disease.
• Formed elements arise from stem cells in bone marrow.
• Examines issues related to RBCs, WBCs, platelets, blood vessels, and proteins involved in bleeding and clotting.

Hematopoiesis

• Hemopoiesis encompasses erythropoiesis (red cells), leukopoiesis (white cells), and thrombopoiesis (platelets).
• Hematopoietic locations include organs and tissues, with red bone marrow producing blood cells.
• Distinction between red marrow (active) and yellow marrow (fatty).

Blood Cell Development

• Multipotent stem cells can differentiate into various cell types, leading to progenitor/committed stem cells, blasts, and mature cells.
• Two main cell lines: myeloid (produces RBCs, platelets, granulocytes) and lymphoid (produces lymphocytes).

Salaries in Hematology/Oncology

• Median income for hematologists/oncologists is $481,250.
• Salary range varies from 328,540to328,540 to 328,540to810,850 based on experience and location.

Clinical Uses of Blood Components

• Plasma is used for patients recovering from blood loss during surgeries or severe injuries.
• Serum is employed in diagnostics, research, and immunotherapy (e.g., vaccination).
• Antivenoms produced from animal serum counteract specific venoms through neutralization.

Blood Composition and Volume

• Blood volume averages 5-6 liters in males and 4-5 liters in females.
• Blood consists primarily of plasma (approximately 55%) and formed elements (approximately 45%).

Distinction Between Plasma and Serum

• Plasma is the liquid component of blood; serum is plasma without clotting factors.
• Understanding the difference is crucial in clinical settings for blood treatment and analysis.

Key Plasma Constituents

• Water (92%): Serves as a solvent and heat absorber.
• Proteins (7%): Produced mostly by the liver; regulate colloid osmotic pressure, pH, and transport hormones and fatty acids.

Major Plasma Proteins

• Albumins: Smallest plasma proteins with crucial roles in maintaining osmotic pressure and transporting various molecules.