Blood, Arteries, Veins and Clotting Factors

• The primary function of blood is to transport oxygen throughout the body.
• Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen in the body.
• Hemoglobin, a protein within red blood cells, binds to oxygen.
• Red blood cells have a biconcave shape, which enhances the efficiency of oxygen transport.

Blood Vessel Differences (Arteries vs. Veins)

• Arteries are located deeper within the body, while veins are closer to the surface.
• Arteries have thick, strong, and elastic walls, whereas veins have thin, less elastic walls.
• Arteries carry blood away from the heart, while veins carry blood towards the heart.
• Arteries have a noticeable pulse, but veins do not.
• Veins have valves along their length, but arteries only have a valve at the base of the heart.
• Blood exits arteries with force but does not from veins.

Blood Clotting Factors

• Trombokinase is an enzyme that is produced in the liver
• It is released by trombocytes when there is damage to vessels in the body
• Prothrombin interacts with Calcium and Vitamin K to create Thrombin
• Fibrinogen is converted into fibrin by thrombin, fibrin is responsible for sealing wounds

Blood Types

• Type A blood has A antigens and β antibodies.
• Type B blood has B antigens and α antibodies.
• Type AB blood has both A and B antigens and no antibodies.
• Type O blood has no antigens but has both α and β antibodies.
• Universal donor blood is blood type O.
• Universal recipient blood is blood type AB.

Common Blood-Related Conditions

• Anemia is characterized by low hemoglobin levels in red blood cells.
• Thalassemia involves a failure in hemoglobin production.
• Hemophilia is a condition where blood has difficulty clotting, often due to genetic factors.
• Leukemia is marked by uncontrolled production of white blood cells.
• Hypertension is high blood pressure, with systolic readings over 140 and diastolic over 90.
• Hypotenstion is low blood pressue, with systolic readings under 90 and diastolic under 60
• Varicose veins are dilated veins.
• Hemorrhoids are dilated veins in the anal area.
• A thrombus is a clot obstructing a blood vessel.
• Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle.
• Sclerosis is the hardening of blood vessels, which can lead to stroke if it occurs in the brain.
• Erythroblastosis Fetalis occurs when an Rh-negative mother has antibodies against her Rh-positive baby's blood.
• Coronary artery disease involves narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries.

The Systemic and Pulmonary Circulations

• The systemic circulation moves blood through the whole body.
• The pathway for systemic circulation: heart → body → heart.
• The pulmonary circulation moves blood through the lungs
• The pathway for systemic circulation: heart → lungs → heart.

Important Terms

• Blood Type = Classification of human blood based on properties of blood
• Antibodies = Substance formed in the blood to destroy bacteria, viruses, or toxins
• Universal recipient = An AB blood type that accepts all blood types
• Transfusion = Fluid transfer of blood to someone who needs it
• Agglutination = Clumping of red blood cells due to donor receiver mismatch
• Universal donor = blood type that can donate to every blood type: O
• Antigen = A substance that stimulates the production of of antibodies