BIOCHEM: BLOOD
normal blood.
WHITE BLOOD CELLS (LEUCOCYTES)
 5,000 to 10,000 per cubic millimeter
of blood.
 White blood cells are larger than red
blood cells.
 Contains a nucleus.
 Life span of 12 to 20 days.
 Types of WBC – Granulocytes and
Agranulocytes
o Granulocytes – Basophil,
Eosinophils, Neutrophils
o Agranulocytes – lobes or S shaped.
Lymphocytes, Monocytes
 Soldiers of the body (major
component of the body’s immune
system)
NEUTROPHIL (Polymorphonuclear
Leukocytes)
 Constitute of 60% to 70% of
circulating leukocytes.
 They are 12-15um in diameter with
nucleus consisting of 2-5 lobes.
EOSINOPHILS
 Constitute 2-4% of leukocytes in  The life span in the circulation is few
days but 60-120 days in the tissues.
 Life span in circulation is about 10  They account 4-11%.
hours and 10 days in tissues.  The main function of monocytes is
 These cells have bilobed nucleus. phagocytosis, it is also important in
 An increase in the number of inflammation and immunity.
eosinophils in the blood is
PLATELETS (THROMBOCYTES)
associated with allergic reaction and
parasitic infection.  250,000 to 400,000 per cube
millimeter of blood.
BASOPHIL
 Platelets contains cephalin
 Basophils make up less than 1% (phosphatidylethanolamine)
blood leukocytes.  A phospholipid involved in the
 There are about 12-15um. clotting of the blood.
 The nucleus is divided into irregular  Life span 10 days.
 Are small colorless cell fragments.
 These cells play an important role in
the allergy.
LYMPHOCYTES
 Lymphocytes are spherical cells.
 There are small lymphocytes with a
diameter of 6-8um.
 The nucleus of lymphocytes is large
and rounded.
 They are classified according to their PLASMA
function to B lymphocytes, T
lymphocytes and natural Killer Cells. PLASMA
 All types of lymphocytes are related  Nutrients
to immune reactions in defending o Plasma protein
against invading microorganisms,
o Glucose
foreign substances.
o Fibrinogen
MONOCYTES o Amino acids
o Lipids
 These are the largest of the white
 Waste products of metabolism
blood cells.
 Inorganic salts
 The nucleus is horseshoe-or-kidney
shaped.  Enzymes
  Volume
o 50% to 60% by volume
o Solids 8-9%
 Specific Gravity
o 1.026
 Viscosity
o 1.7 to 2
 pH
o 7.4 to 7.45
FUNCTIONS OF PLASMA
 Transportation – carries nutrients,
hormones, and waste products
throughout the body.
 Maintaining Osmotic Pressure –
albumins prevent excessive fluid
leakage from the blood vessels.
 Immune Functions – Globulins play
a role in the immune system.
 Clotting – fibrinogen for blood clot
formation.
BLOOD TYPES
The ABO Blood Group System – There
are four major blood groups determined by
the presence or absence of two antigens A
and B on the surface of red blood cells.
 TYPE A – red blood cells have the A
antigen.
 TYPE B – red blood cells have the B
antigen.
 TYPE AB – red blood cells have
both A and B antigens.
 TYPE O – red blood cells have
neither A nor B antigens.
Karl Landsteiner – discovered the ABO
Group System in 1900.
BLOOD DISORDERS
1. ANEMIA
 Red cell enzyme deficiencies.
 Iron-deficiency anemia (most
common).
 Aplastic Anemia – bone marrow
does not produce enough RBC.
 Hemorrhagic anemia – due to
extreme blood loss.
 Hemoglobinopathies (sickle cell
Rh Factors D Antigen
disease and thalassemia)
 Being RhD positive is more common 2. HEMOPHILIA
than being RhD negative.
 Positive (+) – red blood cells have  Causes a failure of the blood to clot,
the RhD antigen. patients can be treated with blood
 Negative (-) – red blood cells don’t transfusions that include clotting
have the RhD antigen. agents.
 More than 85% of the people are
Rh-positive.
 The Rh factor was identified in the
blood of a rhesus monkey. Also
called Rhesus Factor.
 If an Rh – person receives Rh +
blood. Hemolysis and Anemia occur.
 Rh factor is very important,
especially in pregnancy.
3. SICKLE CELL ANEMIA
 If mother is Rh – and the fetus is RH
+ a condition called  Genetic disorder, abnormally shaped
Erythroblastosis Fetalis occurs, blood cells, parents can be carriers
which can cause fetal death. (asymptomatic).
 Universal Donor blood type – TYPE
4. LEUKEMIA
O
 Universal Recipient blood type – AB  Type of cancer
  Overproduction of immature white
blood cells.
 Myeloid Leukemia (AML), chronic
myeloid leukemia (CML), acute
lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
5. BLOOD POISONING – Septicemia
 An infection enters the bloodstream,
can be deadly.
6. JAUNDICE
 In newborns, caused by the liver not
functioning fully, secrets bilirubin into
the blood causing the yellow color.
7. SEPSIS
 Is also known as gram-negative
bacteremia and gram-positive
bacteremia.
 Is often caused by organisms that
are resistant to most standard
antibiotics and more often than not,
is found in people with a weakened
immune system.
8. HIGHBLOOD PRESSURE
9. HIV/AIDS
10. LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS
 Is a debilitating blood disease
caused by nematode worms. Larval
worms circulate in the blood stream
of infected persons, and adult worms
live in the lymphatic vessels.
 Lymphatic filariasis is not life
threatening, but it does cause
extreme discomfort, swelling of the
limbs and genitals, impairment of the
body’s ability to fight infection and is not needed, and this can
general malaise. have potentially significant
consequences.
11. PLATELETS
 Thrombocythemia refers to highest
platelets count sometimes called
primary or essential
thrombocythemia (not cause by
another health conditions)
 Thrombocytosis refers to a high
platelet count sometimes called
secondary or reactive
thrombocytosis (caused by another
disease or condition) is more
common than thrombocythemia.
 Thrombocytopenia is a lower than
normal of platelets, is usually
diagnosed because a person has
abnormal bruising or bleeding.
12. IMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIC
PURPURA (ITP)
 Is a blood disorder characterized by
a decrease in the number of
platelets in the blood. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
13. BLOOD CLOTTING CLINICAL LABORATORY TEST
 Is an important mechanism to help 1. COAGULATION TIME
the body repair injured blood
vessels. The medical term for blood  The time which the blood takes to
clot after it has been shed.
clot is a thrombus (plural – thrombi)
 2-6mins (puncture of skin)
o When a thrombus is formed
as part of a normal repair  Normal coagulation time (20
process of the body, there is minutes)
a little consequence.  Prolonged coagulation time may be
Unfortunately, there are due to thromboplastin, prothrombin,
times when a thrombus and fibrinogen.
(blood clot) will form when it  Hemophilia (one to several hour)
2. CAPILLARY METHOD
 This is consisting in the use of a fine
capillary tube which is filled with
blood and then at 15 seconds
interval is broken off little until there
appears fine threads of fibrin
between the ends of the broken
sections of the tube.
3. DROP METHOD
 This is made by placing a drop of
blood on a clean slide and drawing a
needle through the drop of blood at
15 second interval until shreds of
fibrin cling to the needle and
dragged along by it.
4. BLEEDING TIME
 Time required for a small cut to
crease bleeding.
 1-3 minutes
 Prolong bleeding time 90 minutes
(acute leukemia, aplastic anemia)
5. COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT
 The CBC is one of the most
common blood tests. Its often done
as part of a routine check-up.
 The CBC can help detect blood
diseases and disorders such as
anemia, infections, clotting
problems, blood cancer, and immune
system disorders. This
measures many different parts of
your blood.
6. HEMATOCRIT
 Is a measure of how much space red (CHD). This test looks at substances
blood cells take up in your blood. in your blood that carry cholesterol.
 A high hematocrit level might mean  Most people will need to fast for 9 to
you’re dehydrated. 12 hours before a lipoprotein panel.
 A low hematocrit level might mean
you have anemia.
 Abnormal hematocrit levels also may
be a sign of a blood or bone marrow
disorder.
BLOOD CHEMISTRY TEST/ BASIC
METABOLIC PANEL
 The basic metabolic panel (BMP) is
a group of tests that measures
different chemicals in the blood.
These tests usually are done on the
fluid (plasma) part of blood.
 The tests can give doctors
information about your muscles
(including the heart), bones, and
organs, such as the kidneys and
liver.
 The BMP includes blood glucose,
calcium, and electrolytes tests, as
well as blood tests that measures
kidney function.
 Some of these tests require you to
fast (not eat any food) before the
test, and others don’t. Your doctor
will tell you how to prepare for the
test(s) you’re having.
BLOOD TEST TO ASSESS HEART
test
DISEASE RISK
 A lipoprotein panel is a blood test
that can help show whether you’re at
risk for coronary heart disease