THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM AND LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
Most of the cells in the human body are Not in direct contact with the external
environment. The circulatory system acts as a transport service for these cells.
Two fluids move through the circulatory system: Blood and Lymph. The blood,
heart, and blood vessels form the
Cardiovascular System. The lymph,
lymph nodes and lymph vessels form the
Lymphatic System. The
Cardiovascular System and the Lymphatic system collectively make up the Circulatory
System.
OBJECTIVES:
List the parts of the
circulatory system. Describe the structure and function of the human heart.
Trace the flow of blood through the heart and body. Distinguish between
arteries, veins, and capillaries in terms of the structure and function. Distinguish
between pulmonary circulation and systemic circulation. Describe the structure and
function of the lymphatic system
1. Higher animals,
including humans, usually have a
CLOSED CIRCULATORY SYSTEM, meaning it is
repeatedly cycled throughout the body.
2. It was in 1628, when the English physician William Harvey showed that BLOOD
Circulated throughout the body in one-way Vessels.
3. According to Harvey, Blood was pumped out of the Heart and into the Tissue through
ONE TYPE OF VESSEL and back to the Heart through ANOTHER TYPE OF VESSEL. The Blood,
in other words, moved in a CLOSED CYCLE through the body.
4.
BLOOD IS THE BODY'S INTERNAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.
5. PUMP BY THE HEART, BLOOD TRAVELS THROUGH A NETWORK OF VESSELS, CARRYING MATERIALS
SUCH AS OXYGEN, NUTRIENTS, AND HORMONES TO AND WASTE PRODUCTS FROM EACH OF THE HUNDRED
TRILLION CELLS IN THE HUMAN BODY.
6. BLOOD, THE HEART, AND BLOOD VESSELS MAKE UP THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM.
THE HEART
1. The Central Organ of the Cardiovascular System is the
HEART.
2. THE HEART IS A HOLLOW, MUSCULAR ORGAN THAT CONTRACTS AT REGULAR INTERVALS, FORCING
BLOOD THROUGH THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM.
3. The Heart is cone-shaped, about the size of a Fist, and is located in the Thoracic
Cavity between the Lungs directly behind the Sternum (Breastbone). The Heart is
tilted so that the
APEX (the pointed end) is oriented to the Left.
4. The walls of the Heart are made up of
Three Layers of Tissue.
A. The Outer and Inner Layers are
EPITHELIAL TISSUE.
B. The Middle Layer (The walls of the four chambers of the Heart) is
CARDIAC MUSCLE TISSUE CALLED THE
MYOCARDIUM.
5. CARDIAC MUSCLE TISSUE IS
NOT UNDER CONSCIOUS CONTROL OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.
6. Cardiac Muscle Tissue has a rich supply of Blood, which ensures that it gets plenty
of Oxygen.
7. There is also a special connection between Cells that allow Impulses to travel from
one cell to another. The Cells that make up the Cardiac Muscle Tissue are loaded
with MITOCHONDRIA, (POWERHOUSE OF THE CELL), guaranteeing the each Cell has a constant
supply of ATP.
8. Our Hearts Contract or Beat about once every second of every day of our lives.
The heart beats more than 2.5 million times in an average life span. The only
time the Heart gets a Rest is Between Beats.
HOW
THE HEART WORKS
1. The Heart can be thought of as TWO PUMPS sitting side by side. The Human
Heart, with a Right Atrium and Right Ventricle, as well as a Left Atrium and Left
Ventricle, essentially has TWO Separate Hearts inside one. (Figure 47-1)
2. The
RIGHT SIDE of the Heart pumps Blood From The BODY INTO THE LUNGS,
WHERE OXYGEN POOR BLOOD (DEOXYGENATED, USUALLY SHOWN IN BLUE) GIVES UP CARBON DIOXIDE AND
PICKS UP OXYGEN.
3. The
LEFT SIDE of the Heart pumps OXYGEN RICH BLOOD (OXYGENATED,
USUALLY SHOWN IN RED) FROM THE LUNGS TO THE REST OF THE BODY EXCEPT THE LUNGS.
4. The Heart is Enclosed in a Protective Membrane Sac called the
PERICARDIUM.
The Pericardium surrounds the heart and secretes a fluid that Reduces Friction as
the heart beats.
5. Our Heart has
FOUR
CHAMBERS: (Figure 47-1)
A. The
UPPER CHAMBERS of the Heart are the
RIGHT AND LEFT ATRIA
(ATRIUM), RECEIVE BLOOD COMING INTO THE HEART.
B. The
LOWER CHAMBERS are the
RIGHT AND LEFT VENTRICLES, PUMP
BLOOD OUT OF THE HEART. The Left Ventricle is the Thickest chamber of the heart
because it has to do most of the work to pump blood to all parts of the body.
6. Vertically Dividing the Right and Left sides of the Heart is a Common Wall called
the
SEPTUM. The Septum Prevents the Mixing of Oxygen-poor and Oxygen-rich
Blood.
THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HEART (FROM BODY TO LUNGS, DEOXYGENTATED
BLOOD -BLUE)
1. Oxygen-Poor Blood from the body enters the Right side of the Heart through TWO large
blood vessels called
VENA CAVA.
2. The
SUPERIOR (UPPER) Vena
Cava brings Blood from the UPPER PART OF THE BODY TO THE HEART.
3. The
INFERIOR (LOWER) Vena Cava brings Blood from the LOWER PART OF THE
BODY TO HE HEART.
4. Both VENA CAVA EMPTY INTO THE RIGHT ATRIUM. When the Heart Relaxes (Between
Beats), pressure in the circulatory system causes the Atrium to fill with blood.
5. When the Heart CONTRACTS, Blood is squeezed from the RIGHT ATRIUM INTO THE RIGHT
VENTRICLE through flaps of tissue called a
ATRIOVENTRICULAR (
AV)
VALVE, that prevents blood from flowing back into the Right Atrium.
6. The valve that separates the Right Atrium and Ventricle is called the
TRICUSPID
VALVE.
7. THE GENERAL PURPOSE OF ALL VALVES IN THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM IS TO PREVENT THE
BACKFLOW OF BLOOD. They also ensure that BLOOD FLOWS IN ONLY ONE DIRECTION.
8. THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF THE TRICUSPID VALVE IS TO PREVENT BACKFLOW OF BLOOD FROM THE
RIGHT VENTRICLE TO THE RIGHT ATRIUM WHEN THE RIGHT VENTRICLE CONTRACTS.
9. When the Heart CONTRACTS a
second time, Blood in the RIGHT VENTRICLE IS SENT THROUGH THE A
SEMILUNAR (
SL)
VALVE KNOWN AS THE
PULMONARY VALVE INTO THE PULMONARY
ARTERIES TO THE LUNGS. These are the Only Arteries to carry Oxygen-Poor Blood.
At the base of the Pulmonary Arteries is a valve (Pulmonary Valve) that prevents
blood from traveling back into the Right Ventricle.
THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HEART (FROM LUNGS TO BODY, OXYGENATED
BLOOD-RED)
1. Oxygen-Rich Blood leaves the Lungs and Returns to the Heart by way of Blood Vessels
called the
PULMONARY VEINS. These are the only Veins to carry
Oxygen-Rich Blood.
2. Returning Blood enters the LEFT ATRIUM, IT PASSES THROUGH flaps of tissue called a
ATRIOVENTRICULAR
(AV) VALVE to the LEFT VENTRICLE.
3. The valve that separates the Left Atrium and Ventricle is called the
MITRAL
VALVE or BICUSPID VALVE.
4. FROM THE LEFT VENTRICLE, BLOOD IS PUMPED THROUGH A
SEMILUNAR (
SL)
VALVE CALLED THE
AORTIC VALVE INTO THE AORTA ARTERY THAT
CARRIES IT TO EVERY PART OF THE BODY EXCEPT THE LUNGS.
5. At the base of the Aorta is a Valve (Aortic Valve) that prevents blood from flowing
back into the Left Ventricle.
THE HEARTBEAT (CARDIAC CYCLE)
1. The Cardiac Cycle is the Sequence of events in one heartbeat. In its simplest
form, the cardiac cycle is the Simultaneous Contraction of the TWO Atria, followed a
fraction of a second latter by the Simultaneous Contraction of the TWO Ventricles.
2. The Heart consists of Muscle Cells that contract in Waves. When the first
group is Stimulated, they in turn stimulate Neighboring Cells. Those cells Stimulate more
cells. This chain reaction continues until all cells Contract. The wave of
activity spreads in such a way that the Atria and the Ventricles contract in a Steady
Rhythm.
3. A Heartbeat has two Phases:
A.
Phase 1 - SYSTOLE is the term for
CONTRACTION. Occurs when the Ventricles contract, closing the AV Valves and opening the SL
Valves to pump blood into two major vessels leaving the heart.
B.
Phase 2 - DIASTOLE is the term for RELAXATION.
Occurs when the Ventricles relax, allowing the back pressure of the blood to closed SL
Valves and opening AV valves.
4. The Cardiac Cycle also creates the HEART SOUNDS: each heartbeat produces TWO Sounds,
often called LUBB-DUP, that can be heard with a stethoscope.
5. The First sound, the Loudest and Longest, is caused by the Ventricular Systole
(Contraction) closing the AV Valves.
6. The Second sound is caused by the closure of the Aortic and Pulmonary Valves (SL).
7. If any of the Valves do not close properly, an extra sound called a
HEART
MURMUR may be heard.
8. Although the Heart is a SINGLE MUSCLE, it does NOT Contract in a Single motion.
The Contraction spreads over the Heart like a WAVE.
9. The Wave BEGINS in a Small Bundle
of Specialized Heart Muscle Cells embedded in the RIGHT ATRIUM CALLED THE
SINOATRIAL
NODE (SA). (Figure 47-3)
10. The SA Node is the Natural
PACEMAKER of the Heart. It initiates
each Heartbeat and sets the PACE for the HEART RATE. (Figure 47-3)
11. The impulse spreads from the Pacemaker through the Cardiac Muscle Cells in the
Right and Left Atrium, causing BOTH Atria to Contract almost Simultaneously.
12. When the impulse INITIATED by the SA Node reaches Another special area of the Heart
known as the
ATRIOVENTRICULAR (AV) NODE. The AV Node is located in the
Septum between the Right and Left Ventricles. The AV Node Relays the electrical impulse to
the muscle cells that make up the Ventricles. The Ventricles Contract almost
Simultaneously a Fraction of a second after the Atria, COMPLETING ONE FULL HEARTBEAT.
13. These Contractions causes the Chambers to Squeeze the Blood, Pushing it in the
proper direction along its path.
14. The Heart Initiates its Own
Stimulation from the Sinoatrial Node and Atrioventricular Node, and Does NOT require
Stimulation from the Nervous System.
15. The Autonomic Nervous system does influence Heart Rate. The Sympathetic
Nervous System INCREASES HEART RATE and the Parasympathetic Nervous System DECREASES IT.
16. For most of us, at REST our Heart Beats between 60 and 80 beats per minute.
During Exercise that can increase to as many as 200 beats per minute.
BLOOD
VESSELS (ARTERIES, VEINS AND CAPILLARIES)
1. The Circulatory System is known as a CLOSED SYSTEM because the blood is contained
within either the Heart or Blood Vessels at all times.
2. The blood Vessels that are part of the Closed Circulatory System of humans from a
vast network to help keep the Blood flowing in One Direction.
3. After the Blood leaves the Heart, it is pumped through a network of Blood Vessels to
different parts of the body.
4. The Blood Vessels
that form this network and are part of the
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM ARE THE ARTERIES,
CAPILLARIES, AND VEINS.
5. With the exception of Capillaries and tiny Veins, Blood Vessels have
WALLS made
of THREE LAYERS OF TISSUE, that provides for a combination of Strength and Elasticity:
(Figure 47-4)
A. THE INNER LAYER IS
EPITHELIAL TISSUE.
B. THE MIDDLE LAYER IS
SMOOTH MUSCLE TISSUE.
C. THE OUTER LAYER IS
CONNECTIVE TISSUE.
ARTERIES AND ARTERIOLES (SMALL ARTERIES)
1. Arteries carry blood from the
HEART TO CAPILLARIES AND THE REST OF THE BODY. (Figure 47-4)
2. The Walls of Arteries are generally THICKER than those of Veins.
3. The Smooth Muscle Cells and Elastic Fibers that make up the Walls help make Arteries
Tough and Flexible. This enables Arteries to withstand the high pressure of blood as
it is pumped from the Heart. The force that blood exerts on the walls of blood vessels is
known as
BLOOD PRESSURE.
4. EXCEPT FOR THE PULMONARY ARTERIES, ALL ARTERIES CARRY OXYGEN-RICH BLOOD.
5. The Artery that carries Oxygen-Rich Blood from the LEFT VENTRICLE to all parts of
the body, EXCEPT THE LUNGS, is the AORTA.
6. THE AORTA WITH A DIAMETER OF 2.5 cm, IS THE LARGEST ARTERY IN THE BODY.
7. As the Aorta travels away from the Heart, it branches into smaller Arteries so that
all parts of the body are supplied.
8. THE SMALLEST ARTERIES ARE CALLED
ARTERIOLES.
CAPILLARIES
1. ARTERIOLES BRANCH INTO
NETWORKS OF VERY SMALL BLOOD VESSELS CALLED
CAPILLARIES. (Figure 47-5)
2. IT IS IN THE THIN-WALLED (ONE-CELL IN THICKNESS) THAT THE REAL WORK OF THE
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM IS DONE.
3. The Walls of the
Capillaries consist of only one layer of cells, making it easy for Oxygen and Nutrients to
DIFFUSE FROM THE BLOOD INTO THE TISSUE.
4. Forces of Diffusion drive CO2 and waste products from the tissue into the
Capillaries.
5. Capillaries are extremely NARROW; Blood Cells moving through them must pass in
Single file.
VEINS
1. THE FLOW OF BLOOD MOVES FROM
CAPILLARIES INTO THE
VEINS. (Figure 47-6)
2. Veins form a system that COLLECTS Blood from every part of the Body and
CARRIES it Back to the HEART.
3. The smallest Veins are called
VENULES.
4. LIKE ARTERIES, VEINS ARE LINED WITH SMOOTH MUSCLE. Vein walls are thinner and
less elastic than Arteries. Veins though are more FLEXIBLE and are able to stretch
out readily.
5. This flexibility
reduces the Resistance the flow of blood encounters on its way back to the Heart.
6. Large Veins contain Valves that maintain the one direction flow of Blood. This
is important where Blood must flow against the Force of Gravity. (Figure 47-7)
7. The flow of Blood in Veins is help by Contractions of Skeleton Muscles, especially
those in the legs and arms. When muscles contract they squeeze against Veins and
help force Blood Toward the Heart.
PATTERNS
OF CIRCULATION
1. Blood moves
through the body in a continuous pathway, of which there are TWO MAJOR PATHS;
THE
PULMONARY AND SYSTEMIC CIRCULATION. (Figures 47-8 & 9)
2.
THE PULMONARY CIRCULATION CARRIES BLOOD BETWEEN THE HEART AND THE
LUNGS. THIS CIRCULATION BEGINS AT THE RIGHT VENTRICLE AND ENDS AT THE LEFT ATRIUM.
(Figure 47-8)
3. Oxygen-Poor blood is pumped out of the Right Ventricle of the Heart into the Lungs
through the Pulmonary Arteries. These are the only Arteries in the Body to Carry
Deoxygenated Blood.
4. Blood returns to the Heart through the Pulmonary Veins, the only Veins to carry
oxygen-rich blood.
5. THE LUNGS ARE THE ONLY ORGANS DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE HEART.
6.
THE SYSTEMIC CIRCULATION, STARTS AT THE LEFT VENTRICLE AND ENDS AT THE
ATRIUM, CARRIES BLOOD TO THE REST OF THE BODY. (Figure 47-9)
7. Oxygen-rich blood leaving the Heart passes through the Aorta and into a number of
Arteries that supply blood to every part of the body.
8. SYSTEMIC CIRCULATION SUPPLIES EACH MAJOR ORGAN WITH BLOOD, INCLUDING THE HEART.
9. The Heart receives its supply of Blood from a PAIR of CORONARY ARTERIES leading from
the Aorta. Blood enters into Capillaries that lead to Veins through which blood
returns to the Right Atrium.
10. The Systemic System can
be divided into
THREE SUBSYSTEMS: (Figure 47-9)
A.
CORONARY CIRCULATION - SUPPLIES BLOOD TO THE HEART.
B.
RENAL CIRCULATION - SUPPLIES BLOOD TO THE KIDNEYS.
Nearly one-forth of the blood that is pump into the Aorta by the Left Ventricle
flows to the Kidneys. The Kidneys Filter Waste From the Blood.
C.
HEPATIC PORTAL CIRCULATION - Nutrients are picked
up by capillaries in the small intestines and are transported to the Liver. Excess
nutrients are stored in the Live for future needs. The Liver receives oxygenated
blood from a large Artery that branches of the Aorta.
BLOOD PRESSURE
1. Blood moves through our Circulation System because it is under Pressure.
2. This Pressure is caused by the Contraction of the Heart and by Muscles that surround
Blood Vessels.
3. A MEASURE OF FORCE THAT BLOOD EXERTS AGAINST A VESSEL WALL IS CALLED
BLOOD
PRESSURE.
4. Blood Pressure is Always highest in the Two Main Arteries that leave the Heart.
5. Blood Pressure is maintain by TWO WAYS: (1) The Nervous System, which
can speed up or slow down the Heart Rate; (2) The KIDNEYS, which regulate blood
pressure by the amount of fluid in our Blood.
6. When our pressure is too high, kidneys remove water from blood, lowering the total
amount of fluid in the Circulatory System.
7. Both High and LOW Blood Pressure can cause our bodies problems.
8. Blood Pressure is Usually Measured in the Artery Supplying the upper Arm.
9. To measure Blood Pressure:
A. A Cuff is inflated
around a persons arm - stopping the flow of blood through the artery.
B. Air Pressure in the Cuff is slowly released- the first sounds of
blood passing through the artery means that the Ventricles have pump with enough force to
overcome the pressure exerted by the cuff.
C. This measurement is known as the SYSTOLIC PRESSURE, or the
pressure of the blood when it leaves the Ventricles. NORMAL PRESSURE IS ABOUT 120 mm
Hg FOR MALES, AND 110 mm Hg FOR FEMALES.
D. Air pressure is continued to be released - listening for the
disappearance of Sound, which indicates a steady flow of blood. This known as the
DIASTOLIC PRESSURE, or the pressure of the blood is sufficient to keep arteries open
constantly even with the Ventricles Relax. NORMAL PRESSURE IS ABOUT 80 mm Hg FOR
MALES AND 70 mm Hg FOR FEMALES.
E. YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE IS GIVEN TO AS THE SYSTOLIC NUMBER OVER THE
DIASTOLIC NUMBER.
THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
1. As
Blood Circulates throughout the body, Fluid from the Blood LEAKS into tissue.
2. A NETWORK OF VESSELS KNOWN AS THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM COLLECTS THE FLUID AND RETURNS IT
TO THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM. (Figure 47-10)
3. The loss Fluid is known as
LYMPH, a transparent yellowish fluid, and
is collected in Lymphatic Capillaries and moves to larger Lymph Vessels. Like Veins
Lymph Vessels contain valves to prevent the back flow of lymph. Lymph vessels form a
one-way system that returns fluids collected in tissues back to the bloodstream.
4. The Lymphatic system has no pump like the heart, lymph must be moved through
vessels by the squeezing of skeletal muscles.
5. These Lymph Vessels Pass Through small bean-shaped enlargements (organs) called
LYMPH
NODES, WHICH ACTS AS FILTERS AND PRODUCERS OF SPECIAL WHITE BLOOD CELLS CALLED
LYMPHOCYTES
THAT ARE SPECIALIZED TO FIGHT INFECTION.
6. The Fluid is returned to the Circulatory System at an opening in a Vein located
under the Left Clavicle, or Collarbone, just below the shoulder.
SECTION 47-2 BLOOD
Blood is a Liquid Connective Tissue that constitutes the transport medium of the
circulatory system. The Two main functions of blood are to transport nutrients and
oxygen to the cells and carry carbon dioxide and waste materials away from the cells.
Blood also transfers heat to the body surface and plays a role in defending the
body against disease.
OBJECTIVES: List the components of blood.
Distinguish between red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in terms of
structure and function. Summarize the process of blood clotting. Explain what
determine the compatibility of blood types for transfusion.
1. The Main Function of the Circulatory System is to Transport Material in a FLUID
Medium throughout the body.
2. THIS FLUID MEDIUM IS CALLED
BLOOD. BLOOD IS A TYPE OF LIQUID
CONNECTIVE TISSUE THAT HAS MANY FUNCTIONS. Blood is composed of a Liquid Medium and Blood
Solids. The liquid makes up about 55 percent of the blood, and blood solids make up
the remaining 45 percent.
3. BLOOD TRANSPORT NUTRIENTS, DISSOLVED GASES (O2, CO2), ENZYMES, HORMONES, AND WASTE
PRODUCTS.
4. BLOOD REGULATES BODY TEMPERATURE, pH, and ELECTROLYTES.
5. BLOOD PROTECTS THE BODY FROM INVADERS, AND BLOOD RESTRICTS THE LOSS OF FLUID.
6. Our Bodies contains 4 to 5 liters of Blood.
BLOOD PLASMA
1. Approximately 55 percent of Blood in made up of a Fluid Portion called PLASMA.
2. Plasma is the Straw-Colored Liquid portion of Blood and is 90 Percent Water and 10
percent dissolved fats, salts, sugars, and Proteins called
PLASMA PROTEINS.
3. THE PLASMA PROTEINS ARE DIVIDED INTO
THREE TYPES:
A.
ALBUMINS - HELP REGULATE OSMOTIC PRESSURE
(MAINTAIN NORMAL BLOOD VOLUME AND BLOOD PRESSURE). THIS IS THE MOST ABUNDANT PLASMA
PROTEIN.
B.
GLOBULINS OR ANTIBODIES - INCLUDE ANTIBODIES
THAT HELP FIGHT OFF INFECTION. ANTIBODIES INITIATE THE DESTRUCTION OF PATHOGENS AND
PROVIDE US WITH IMMUNITY.
C.
FIBRINOGEN - RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ABILITY OF
BLOOD TO CLOT.
BLOOD CELLS OR SOLIDS
THE CELLULAR PORTION OF BLOOD MAKE UP THE OTHER 45 PERCENT AND INCLUDES SEVERAL
TYPES OF HIGHLY SPECIALIZED CELLS AND CELL FRAGMENTS. THEY ARE RED BLOOD CELLS
(RBC), WHITE BLOOD CELLS (WBC), AND PLATELETS.
RED BLOOD CELLS (RBC) ERYTHROCYTES
1. RBC are the most numerous of the Blood
Cells. One microliter of blood contains approx. 5 million RBCs. (Figure 47-11)
2. RBC are BICONCAVE, or shaped so that they are narrower in the center than along the
edges.
3. RBC are produced from cells in the Bone Marrow, they are gradually filled with
HEMOGLOBIN which forces out the nucleus and other organelles.
4. Mature RBC do not have a Cell Nucleus and Organelles. The Mature RBC becomes
little more than a membrane sac containing Hemoglobin.
5. Hemoglobin is the iron-containing protein that gives RBC the ability to carry
Oxygen. Hemoglobin gives the RBC their color.
6. RBC stay in circulation for about 120 days before they are destroyed by special WBC
in the liver and spleen. RBC in your body are dying and being replace at a rate of
about 2 million per second.
WHITE BLOOD CELLS (WBC) LEUKOCYTES
1. Outnumbered by RBC almost 500 to 1.
2.
WBC are produced in the Red Bone Marrow, The Lymph Nodes, and the Spleen. They are
larger than RBC, almost Colorless, and do NOT Contain Hemoglobin. (Figure 47-12)
3. WBC have a Nucleus and can live for many months or years.
4. THE MAIN FUNCTION OF WBC IS TO PROTECT THE BODY AGAINST INVASION BY FOREIGN
CELLS
OR SUBSTANCES.
5. WBC called
PHAGOCYTES can destroy bacteria and foreign cells by
Phagocytosis (engulfed and digested), some produce special proteins called
ANTIBODIES,
and some release special chemicals that help the body fight off disease and resist
infection.
6. Doctors are able to detect the presence of infection by counting the number of WBC
in the blood. When a person has an infection, the number of WBC can Double.
PLATELETS AND BLOOD CLOTTING
1.
Platelets
are NOT Cells; they are tiny Fragments of other Cells that were formed in the bone marrow.
2. Platelets are formed when small pieces of Cytoplasm are pinched off the large cells
in the Red Bone Marrow called
MEGAKARYOCYTES, which are found in the Bone
Marrow. Platelets lack a nucleus and their life span is about 7 to 11 days.
3. Platelets play an important role in Blood Clotting.
4. Platelets help the Clotting process by Clumping together and forming a Plug at the
site of a wound and then releasing proteins called
CLOTTING FACTORS.
5. Clotting Factors start a series of Chemical Reactions that ends with a sticky
meshwork of
Fibrin Filaments that stop bleeding by producing a clot. (Figure
47-14)
6. A genetic disorder of Clotting Factors is called
HEMOPHILIA, suffers
may bleed uncontrollably from even a small cut or scrape.
7. Clotting of blood in Vessels can block the flow of blood, if this happens in the
brain, brain cells may die, causing a
STROKE.
BLOOD TYPES
1.
Blood type is determined by the Type of
ANTIGEN present on the Surface of
RBC.
2. An
ANTIGEN is a protein or carbohydrate that acts as a signal,
enabling the body to recognize foreign substances in the body.
3. Blood from Humans is Classified into FOUR GROUPS, based on the Antigens on the
Surface of RBC. (Table 47-1)
4. BLOOD TYPING involves identifying the Antigens in a Sample.
5. THREE of the most important human antigens are called A, B, and Rh.
6. The A-B-O System is based on the A and B Antigen. It is a means of classifying blood
by the Antigens located on the surface of RBC and the Antibodies circulating in the
Plasma.
7. An Individual's RBC may carry an A ANTIGEN, a B ANTIGEN, both A and B ANTIGENS, OR
NO ANTIGEN AT ALL. These Antigen patterns are called BLOOD TYPES A, B, AB, O RESPECTIVELY.
(Table 47-1)
8. Type AB is known as a Universal
Receiver, meaning that they can receive any type blood.
9. Type O is known as a Universal Donor, meaning they can donate blood to anyone.
Rh SYSTEM
1. An antigen that is sometimes on the surface of RBC is the
Rh FACTOR,
named after the rhesus monkey in which it was first discovered.
2. Eighty-five percent of the U.S. population is Rh-positive (Rh+), meaning that Rh
Antigens are present.
3. People who do not have Rh Antigens are called Rh-negative (Rh-).
4. If an Rh- person receives a transfusion of blood that has Rh+ antigens, Rh-
antibodies will react with the Antigen and Agglutination (clumping) will occur.
5. The Rh Factor is the reason there are blood test before marriage. The most
serious problem with Rh incompatibility occurs during pregnancy.
6. If the mother is Rh- and the father is Rh+, the child may inherit the Dominant Rh+
allele (gene) from the father.
7. If the babies Rh+ blood gets into the mother during delivery, the mother will
develop Antibodies to the Rh Factor.
8. If a second Rh+ child is conceived later, the mother's antibodies can cross the
placenta and attack the blood of the fetus.
9. This condition is called
ERYTHROBLASTOSIS FETALIS.
10. To prevent this condition, an Rh- mother of an Rh+ child can by given
Antibodies to destroy and Rh+ cells that have entered her bloodstream from the fetus.
11. The antibodies, a substance called RHOGAM, must be administered to the mother
within Three Days after the birth of her first Rh+ child to remove from her bloodstream
any Rh+ antibodies.
12. By destroying any Rh+ cells in her bloodstream, any danger to
a second child is prevented because the mother will not make any Antibodies against the
blood cells of the Rh+ fetus.