This document provides an overview of the components of blood and their functions. It discusses that blood contains living components like red blood cells and white blood cells, as well as non-living components like platelets and plasma. Red blood cells carry oxygen using hemoglobin, while white blood cells help fight infection. The different types of white blood cells, including neutrophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils, each have specialized roles in the immune response. The document also covers anemia, explaining its causes and symptoms, and focuses on two specific types: sickle cell anemia and hereditary spherocytosis.

1. ANATOMY
Unit 3 Notes:
Blood
Composition

2. (1) Blood
• Purpose:
Transport nutrients and waste throughout
the body to their designated locations.
• Contains living and nonliving components:
– Living = Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells
– Nonliving = Platelets, Proteins, Plasma,
Inorganic Compounds

4. (2) Blood Cells & Parts
• Red Blood Cells = Erythrocytes
– Carry oxygen-containing gases
– Use protein hemoglobin to bind with gases
• White Blood Cells = Leukocytes
– Part of Immune System
– Protect body against infectious agents
• Platelets
– Fragments of red blood cells
– Aid in clotting

7. (3) Plasma
• The liquid portion of blood.
• Made of mostly water, and various proteins
and inorganic compounds (like salts and
sugars).
• Important Plasma Proteins:
– Albumin  Regulates osmotic pressure within
blood.
– Fibrinogen and Globulin  Aids in clotting.

9. (4) White Blood Cell Specialties
• White blood cells must be able to reach any
area in body with infection.
• Leukocytes use:
– Positive Chemotaxis  To locate infectious
agents within body using the antibody-antigen
response system.
– Diapedesis  To travel through organs to reach
the infectious agents.

11. (5) Types of White Blood Cells
• Neutrophils:
– The most common and active.
– First to respond to an infection site.
• Basophils:
– Release histamine during infection.
– Histamine dilates the blood vessels to increase
blood flow.

12. • Lymphocytes: Use antibodies and antigens.
– B Lymphocytes  Produce antibodies to ID
foreign cells.
– T Lymphocytes  Respond to antibodies and
find foreign cells.
• Monocytes:
– Present during chronic infection.
– A last responder when other white blood cells
did not work.
• Eosinophils:
– Attack and engulf larger parasitic organisms.

16. (6) Anemia
• Anemia is when oxygen is not being carried to
tissues.
• Causes for Anemia:
– Misshapen red blood cells
– Low hemoglobin concentration
– Low blood cell count
– General lack of oxygen in system
• Symptoms:
– Excruciating pains throughout the body.
– Extreme fatigue.
– Low endurance during physical activity.
– Loss of body heat easily.

17. • Sickle Cell Anemia:
– Red blood cells are sickled shaped.
– Cannot bind with oxygen and often clog up
blood vessels.
• Hereditary Spherocytosis:
– Red blood cells balloon out like basketballs.
– Cannot bind with oxygen and are destroyed by
the spleen.