WHAT IS IT?

 Consists of two distinct elements:  Plasma : fluid portion (55%)  Water  Dissolved gases: _____________________  Proteins  Sugars  Vitamins  Minerals  waste  Formed : composed of cells (45%)  Mostly red and white blood cells.

 Also called ERYTHROCYTES  Make of 44% of the 45% “formed” part of blood.  Specialized for ____________ transport.  Mature cell has no nucleus  Packed with respiratory pigment called HEMOGLOBIN: iron-containing molecule that binds with oxygen.

 You may have noticed the different colours of fluid produced by ‘squished’ organisms... this is partially the reason:

 Also called LEUCOCYTES.  Make up only about 1% of blood volume.  Play a major role in helping body fight off pathogens.  HAVE NUCLEI!

 CENTRIFUGATION of a blood sample.

 Not cells.  Fragments of cells from bone marrow.  Important role in clotting blood  protection from excessive blood loss after injury.  Steps to blood clotting (still not completely understood):  Blood vessel broken  substances released by broken blood vessels attract platelets  platelets rupture and chemicals released  thromboplastin (enzyme) is produced  reacts with prothrombin to produce thrombin  reacts with fibrinogen  fibrin.  Fibrin: insoluble material that forms a mesh of strands around an area of injury.  Traps escaping blood cells!

 Medium in which blood cells/platelets are suspended  Contains dissolved proteins which are important to all blood functions:  Red blood cell processes  White blood cell processes  Platelet processes,  Etc.

 Read “Human Blood Groups” (page 300) and make detailed notes.  Complete the following SR questions (page 303)  #1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 11.