Professional Documents
Culture Documents
PBL Blood Donation
PBL Blood Donation
Female:
Whole blood contains red cells, white cells, and platelets (~45% of volume) suspended in
plasma (~55% of volume).
Red cells, or erythrocytes, carry oxygen from the lungs to your body’s tissue and take carbon
dioxide back to your lungs to be exhaled.
Platelets, or thrombocytes, are small, colorless cell fragments in the blood whose main
function is to interact with clotting proteins to stop or prevent bleeding.
Plasma is a fluid, composed of about 92% water, 7% vital proteins such as albumin, gamma
globulin, anti- hemophilic factor, and other clotting factors, and 1% mineral salts, sugars, fats,
hormones and vitamins
Blood Formation
Hemopoiesis ( hematopoiesis) is the process that produces the formed elements of the blood.
Hemopoiesis takes place in the red bone marrow found in the epiphyses of long bones (for example,
the humerus and femur), flat bones (ribs and cranial bones), vertebrae, and the pelvis. Within the red
bone marrow, hemopoietic stem cells ( hemocytoblasts) divide to produce various “blast” cells. Each
of these cells matures and becomes a particular formed element.
Erythropoiesis
Erythropoiesis, the process of making erythrocytes, begins with the formation of proerythroblasts
from hemopoietic stem cells. Over three to five days, several stages of development follow as
ribosomes proliferate and hemoglobin is synthesized. Finally, the nucleus is ejected, producing the
depression in the center of the cell. Young erythrocytes, called reticulocytes, still containing some
ribosomes and endoplasmic reticulum, pass into the bloodstream and develop into mature erythrocytes
after another one or two days.
Erythropoietin
Erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone produced mostly by the kidneys, stimulates bone marrow to
produce erythrocytes (stimulates erythropoiesis). When inadequate amounts of oxygen are delivered
to body cells, a condition called hypoxia, the kidneys increase EPO secretion, which in turn stimulates
an increase in erythrocyte production.
The average production rate of erythrocytes in healthy individuals is two million cells per second.
Normal production requires adequate amounts of iron, vitamin B 12, and folic acid. Vitamin B 12 and
folic acid are necessary for the proper development of DNA in the erythroblasts. This DNA is
responsible for the organization of the heme molecule of which iron will become a component. Proper
DNA development is also necessary for erythroblast reproduction. A lack of either vitamin B 12 or
folic acid can result in pernicious anemia.
Leukopoiesis
Thrombopoiesis
PBL BLOOD DONATION
Thrombopoiesis, the process of making platelets, begins with the formation of megakaryoblasts from
hemopoietic stem cells. The megakaryoblasts divide without cytokinesis to become megakaryocytes,
huge cells with a large, multilobed nucleus. The megakaryocytes then fragment into segments as the
plasma membrane infolds into the cytoplasm.
7.Blood Components
Normally, 7-8% of human body weight is from blood. In adults, this amounts to 4.5-
6 quarts of blood. This essential fluid carries out the critical functions of transporting
oxygen and nutrients to our cells and getting rid of carbon dioxide, ammonia, and
other waste products. In addition, it plays a vital role in our immune system and in
maintaining a relatively constant body temperature. Blood is a highly specialized
tissue composed of more than 4,000 different kinds of components. Four of the most
important ones are red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma. All humans produce
these blood components--there are no populational or regional differences.
Red Cells
Red cells, or erythrocytes , are relatively large microscopic cells without nuclei.
White Cells
White cells, or leukocytes , exist in variable numbers and types but make up a
very small part of blood's volume--normally only about 1% in healthy people.
Leukocytes are not limited to blood. They occur elsewhere in the body as well, most
notably in the spleen, liver, and lymph glands. Most are produced in our bone
marrow from the same kind of stem cells that produce red blood cells. Others are
produced in the thymus gland, which is at the base of the neck. Some white cells
(called lymphocytes ) are the first responders for our immune system. They seek
out, identify, and bind to alien protein on bacteria, viruses, and fungi so that they can
PBL BLOOD DONATION
Platelets , or thrombocytes , are cell fragments without nuclei that work with blood
clotting chemicals at the site of wounds. They do this by adhering to the walls of blood
vessels, thereby plugging the rupture in the vascular wall. They also can release
coagulating chemicals which cause clots to form in the blood that can plug up narrowed
blood vessels. Thirteen different blood clotting factors, in addition to platelets, need to
interact for clotting to occur. They do so in a cascading manner, one factor triggering
another. Hemophiliacs lack the ability to produce either blood factor 8 or 9.
Platelets are not equally effective in clotting blood throughout the entire day. The
body's circadian rhythm system (its internal biological clock) causes the peak of
platelet activation in the morning. This is one of the main reasons that strokes and
heart attacks are more common in the morning.
Recent research has shown that platelets also help fight infections by releasing
proteins that kill invading bacteria and some other microorganisms. In addition,
platelets stimulate the immune system. Individual platelets are about 1/3 the size of
red cells. They have a lifespan of 9-10 days. Like the red and white blood cells,
platelets are produced in bone marrow from stem cells.
Plasma
Plasma is the relatively clear, yellow tinted water (92+%), sugar, fat, protein and salt
solution which carries the red cells, white cells, and platelets. Normally, 55% of our
blood's volume is made up of plasma. As the heart pumps blood to cells throughout
the body, plasma brings nourishment to them and removes the waste products
of metabolism. Plasma also contains blood clotting factors, sugars, lipids, vitamins,
minerals, hormones, enzymes, antibodies, and other proteins. It is likely that plasma
contains some of every protein produced by the body--approximately 500 have been
identified in human plasma so far.
Blood coagulation refers to the process of forming a clot to stop bleeding. Coagulation is a
complicated subject and is greatly simplified here for the student's understanding.
Extrinsic Pathway
The extrinsic pathway is activated by external trauma that causes blood to escape from the vascular
system. This pathway is quicker than the intrinsic pathway. It involves factor VII.
Intrinsic Pathway
The intrinsic pathway is activated by trauma inside the vascular system, and is activated by platelets,
exposed endothelium, chemicals, or collagen. This pathway is slower than the extrinsic pathway, but
more important. It involves factors XII, XI, IX, VIII.
Common Pathway
Both pathways meet and finish the pathway of clot production in what is known as the common
pathway. The common pathway involves factors I, II, V, and X.