Plasma – clear, yellowish fluid component of blood, excluding the suspended corpuscles and cells.

- Consists of about 91% water, 7% proteins, and 2% other substances such as nutrients, gases, ions, and waste
products.

Plasma proteins

1. Albumin – maintain osmotic pressure and act as a transport molecule.

2. Globulin – act as transport molecule. Some are part of the immune system.
3. Fibrinogen – responsible for clot formation.

Blood Cells

1. Red blood cells

- Biconcave disk; no nucleus.
- Contains hemoglobin, for transportation of oxygen, and carbonic anhydrase, for transportation of carbon dioxide.
- In response to low blood oxygen levels, the kidneys produce erythropoietin, which stimulates RBC production in
the red bone marrow.
- Worn-out RBC are phagocytized by macrophages.
2. White blood cells – spherical and possess a nucleus.
a. Granulocytes – contains cytoplasmic granules
1. Neutrophil – phagocytizes microorganisms and other foreign substances.
2. Basophil – releases histamine (which promotes inflammation) and heparin (which prevents clot
formation).
3. Eosinophil – reduce inflammation; attacks certain parasites esp. worms.
b. Agranulocytes – cytoplasmic granules are absent.
1. Lymphocytes – produce antibodies and other chemicals responsible for destroying microorganisms. Also
contributes in allergic reactions, graft rejections, tumor control, and even immunity regulation.
2. Monocyte – inactive phagocytic cell that are travelling in the blood stream.
3. Macrophage – active cell that phagocytizes microorganisms, dead cells, cell fragments, and other debris
within tissues.
3. Platelets
- Cell fragments surrounded by plasma membrane.
- Form vessel plugs and release chemicals necessary for blood clotting.

Transfusion – transfer of blood or blood components from one individual to another.

Infusion – introduction of a fluid other than blood, such as a saline or glucose solution, into the blood.

ABO blood groups

1. Type A – A antigen; Anti B antibody

2. Type B – B antigen; Anti A antibody
3. Type AB – both A and B antigen; neither anti A or anti B antibody
4. Type O – neither A or B antigen; both anti A and anti B antibody

Rh antigens

1. Rh +
2. Rh –

Blood typing – determines the ABO and Rh blood groups of a blood sample.

Cross match test – agglutination reactions are tested between donor and recipient blood.