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The document provides an overview of blood composition, including plasma and formed elements, and details the functions of hemoglobin and platelets. It explains the processes of hemostasis, coagulation, and the significance of blood groups in transfusions, highlighting the potential risks associated with mismatched blood types. Additionally, it discusses the implications of Rh factor incompatibility during pregnancy.

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Cloris Wong
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2 views

(Jackwong)Lecture10 - Tagged

The document provides an overview of blood composition, including plasma and formed elements, and details the functions of hemoglobin and platelets. It explains the processes of hemostasis, coagulation, and the significance of blood groups in transfusions, highlighting the potential risks associated with mismatched blood types. Additionally, it discusses the implications of Rh factor incompatibility during pregnancy.

Uploaded by

Cloris Wong
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Blood

Jack Wong Wing-tak, Ph.D.


School of Life Sciences
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Learning outcomes
• Describe the composition and volume of whole blood
• Describe the composition of plasma and list the major
functions of plasma proteins
• List the cell types making up the formed elements,
and describe the major functions of each type
• Describe the molecular structure of hemoglobin
• Describe the production, structure and functions of
platelet
• Diagram the key steps of hemostasis, coagulation and
fibrinolysis
• Describe the ABO and Rh blood groups and explain the
basis for a transfusion reaction
Composition of
blood
55%
• Blood is the only
fluid tissue in the
human body

• pH remains
between 7.35-
7.45

• A 70 kg man has
about 5-6 liters of 45%
blood
Blood Plasma
• Composed of approximately 90% water
• Includes many dissolved substances
– Nutrients, Salts (metal ions)
– Respiratory gases
– Hormones
– Proteins, Waste products

• Major functions of plasma proteins


Formed Elements
• Erythrocytes = red blood cells
• Leukocytes = white blood cells
• Platelets = cell fragments
L
Hematopoiesis

• Blood cell
formation

• Occurs in red
bone marrow
Fate of Erythrocytes
• Unable to divide, grow, or synthesize proteins
• Wear out in 100 to 120 days
• When worn out, are eliminated by phagocytes in the spleen or liver
• Lost cells are replaced by division of stem cells
Hemoglobin
· Iron-containing protein
· Binds strongly, but reversibly, to oxygen
· Each hemoglobin molecule has four oxygen binding sites
· Each erythrocyte has 250 million hemoglobin molecules
Hemoglobin and Iron
Hemostasis
· Stoppage of blood flow
· Result of a break in a blood vessel
· Hemostasis involves three phases
· Vascular spasms

· Platelet plug formation

· Coagulation
Hemostasis and tissue
repair
Platelets
· Derived from ruptured multi-nucleated cells
(megakaryocytes)
· Needed for the clotting process
· Normal platelet count = 300,000/mm3
Platelet plug formation
Vascular Spasms
· Anchored platelets release serotonin
· Serotonin causes blood vessel muscles to spasm
· Spasms narrow the blood vessel, decreasing blood loss

Coagulation
· Injured tissues release thromboplastin
· PF3 (a phospholipid) interacts with thromboplastin, blood protein
clotting factors, and calcium ions to trigger a clotting cascade
· Prothrombin activator converts prothrombin to thrombin (an enzyme)
· Thrombin joins fibrinogen proteins into hair-like fibrin
· Fibrin forms a meshwork (the basis for a clot)
Coagulation
cascade
Coagulation and fibrinolysis
Blood Groups and Transfusions

· Large losses of blood have serious consequences


- Loss of 15 to 30 percent causes weakness
- Loss of over 30 percent causes shock, which can be fatal
· Transfusions are the only way to replace blood quickly
· Transfused blood must be of the same blood group
· Blood contains genetically determined proteins
· A foreign protein (antigen) may be attacked by the immune
system
· Blood is “typed” by using antibodies that will cause blood
with certain proteins to clump (agglutination)
Human Blood Groups
• There are over 30 common red blood cell antigens
• The most vigorous transfusion reactions are caused by ABO and Rh blood
group antigens
• ABO Blood Groups
- Based on the presence or absence of two antigens
· Type A
· Type B
- The lack of these antigens is called type O
• Rh Blood Groups
- Named because of the presence or absence of one of eight Rh
antigens (agglutinogen D)
- Most people are Rh+
- Problems can occur in mixing Rh+ blood into a body with Rh– blood
Blood Types Determine Blood Compatibility
Agglutination and hemolysis
Blood type testing
· Blood samples are mixed with anti-A and anti-B serum
· Coagulation or no coagulation leads to determining blood type
· Typing for ABO and Rh factors is done in the same manner
· Cross matching – testing for agglutination of donor RBCs by the
recipient’s serum, and vice versa
Rh Dangers During Pregnancy
• Danger is only when the mother is Rh– and the father is
Rh+, and the child inherits the Rh+ factor

• The mismatch of an Rh– mother carrying an Rh+ baby can


cause problems for the unborn child

- The first pregnancy usually proceeds without


problems
- The immune system is sensitized after the first
pregnancy
- In a second pregnancy, the mother’s immune system
produces antibodies to attack the Rh+ blood
(hemolytic disease of the newborn)

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