Accelerated Biology

 Plasma  Liquid portion of blood  90% water  10 % solutes metabolites – nutrients, vitamins, hormones, gases salts – sodium, chloride proteins – help in blood clotting and fighting infection wastes

 Red Blood Cells (RBC)  carry oxygen  hemoglobin protein binds to the oxygen  biconcave shape increases the surface area  called erythrocytes  Only live ~ 4 months new cells constantly produced in the bone marrow old worn out cells destroyed in the spleen

 The oxygen carrying capacity of the blood cells is reduced  Can result from a loss of blood or nutritional deficiencies  Symptoms include fatigue, loss of energy, leg cramps  Organs are not getting the oxygen they need

 White Blood Cells (WBC)  defend the body against disease  Only 1 or 2 WBC for every 1,000 RBC!  called leukocytes

 Platelets  function in blood clotting  cell fragments that are irregularly shaped and colorless  When damage occurs, they rush to the site and form a clump that stops the blood loss  called thrombocytes,

 A disease where the blood fails to clot  Caused by a mutation in the gene that codes for one of the blood clotting factor proteins  Called “The Royal Disease”  Queen Victoria was a carrier and past the gene on to many of her descendents

 Blood type is genetically determined by the presence or absence of antigens on the surface of RBC  Antigens can provoke an immune response  Blood plasma contains WBC called antibodies  People with AB blood are the universal recipients because they have A and B antigens and no antibodies  People with O blood are the universal donors because they have no antigens to trigger an immune reaction

 In 1941 Charlie Chaplin met a young Actress named Joan Barry and had an affair with her. Shortly after the affair ended, Barry gave birth to a daughter and claimed Charlie was the father.  Barry – Type A  Child – Type B  Chaplin – Type O  Could Charlie Chaplin be the father of this child?

 No! He cant be the father. The father must carry an O allele, which Charlie does not.  Blood typing was a brand new technology and was not admissible in the court case.  The judge ordered Charlie to pay child support until the child’s 18 th birthday.

 The +/– blood type comes from a different antigen called Rh factor  originally identified in Rhesus monkeys  if you have the protein  Rh+  if you lack the protein  Rh–

 RhoGAM is given to an Rh- pregnant woman with an Rh+ fetus to prevent her body from developing antibodies that would harm her baby.

 Blood pressure is the force that the blood exerts against the vessels.  This provides information about the health of the arteries.

 It is measured as a ratio in mm of Hg (Mercury) Systolic diastolic  Systolic is the pressure exerted when the ventricles contract and blood is pushed into the arteries.  Diastolic is the pressure exerted when the heart relaxes.  An average BP reading is 120/80

 Blood pressure is measured by an instrument called a sphygmomanometer. It is best to measure blood pressure when you are relaxed and sitting or lying down.

 Hypertension, or high blood pressure, increases the chances that a vessel will burst.  Atherosclerosis – Blood flow is blocked by the buildup of fatty deposits inside the arteries.  Arteriosclerosis - Blood flow is blocked by the buildup of calcium deposits inside the arteries.  Literally means hardening of the arteries.  Now the heart has to work harder to pump the blood through since the arteries are no longer elastic.

 Healthy diet  Regular exercise  Not smoking  Regular medical checkups  Early diagnosis and treatment of high BP