Components of Blood

Introduction

• Lecture on components of blood
• Sample of blood presented (though it is water and food coloring)
• Blood includes various components:
  • Red blood cells (RBCs)
  • White blood cells (WBCs)
  • Platelets
  • Fibrinogen
  • Plasma (liquid part)
  • Other substances: hormones, salts, waste, oxygen, nutrients

Blood Sample Separation

• Centrifuge: spins blood to separate components by density
  • Red Blood Cells (RBCs): settled at the bottom
  • Buffy Coat: middle layer with WBCs and platelets
  • Plasma: yellow layer at the top

Layers of Blood

1. Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)

• Function: Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide
• Appearance: Similar to Werther's original candy; contains hemoglobin
• Hemoglobin:
  • Binds to oxygen for transport
  • Also binds to carbon dioxide for removal from the body
• Red blood cells comprise about 45% of total blood volume.

2. White Blood Cells (Leukocytes)

• Function: Immune response; fight off pathogens
• Types: Five different types of WBCs, categorized as immune system cells
• Quantity: 500-700 times fewer than RBCs; larger than RBCs

3. Platelets (Thrombocytes)

• Function: Clotting process
• Not full cells; byproduct of the cell-making process
• Activate in clotting: Change shape to form clots
• Clots: Clumps of RBCs, platelets, and fibrinogen to prevent bleeding
• Risk: Blood clots can lead to heart attacks or strokes

Blood Plasma

• Constitutes 55% of blood
• Composition: Approximately 90% water and 10% dissolved substances

Key Proteins in Plasma

1. Albumins
   • Most abundant; retain water and maintain blood pressure
   • Helps prevent swelling
2. Globulins
   • Antibodies that fight off bacteria and viruses
   • Produced by B lymphocytes in response to pathogens
3. Fibrinogen
   • Forms fibrin strands to help with clotting
   • Important in forming stable blood clots

Other Components in Plasma

• Salts: Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chlorine
• Nutrients: Proteins, fatty acids, sugars for energy and building blocks
• Hormones: Transported by the bloodstream for various functions
• Waste: Filtered by kidneys to remove from body

Summary Recap

• RBCs (erythrocytes): 45% of blood, transport oxygen and CO2
• WBCs (leukocytes): Immune defense against pathogens
• Platelets (thrombocytes): Help with clotting
• Plasma: 55% of blood, mainly water (90%)
  • Key proteins: albumins, globulins, fibrinogens
• Blood transports salts, nutrients, hormones, and waste

Conclusion

• Humor inserted about being a vampire; clarification that the sample was not blood.