Thrombophilia is the reverse side of the process of blood clotting, when compared to

hemophilia. Bloou Clotting uisoiueis aie pievalent touay, anu coulu pioviue an
inteiesting topic foi a ieseaich pioject.

S_S

PIasma is the Iiquid component of bIood.

t is made up mostly of water (92%) containing proteins (6-8%)
and dissolved salts.

However, plasma does much more than transport blood cells. t
provides a reservoir of water for the body, prevents blood vessels
from collapsing and clogging, and helps maintain blood pressure
and circulation throughout the body.

One of the more interesting proteins found in the plasma are
ANTBODES (Ab's), also called MMUNOGLOBULNS due to
their importance in the MMUNE system. The antibodies in plasma
actively defend the body against foreign substances such as
viruses, bacteria, fungi, and cancer cells.


While the illustration to the left is not to
scale, it shows antibodies as yellow "Y's
and decorated with blue tips. These blue tips
are meant to represent the binding sites for
these antibodies. You will recall from ABO
blood groupings that each antibody is
created to specificaIIy bind to only ONE
antigen. circulating freely through the
bloodstream.
The image to the right
illustrates that antibodies are
produced in various forms
within our bodies. Each class
of antibody is produced for a
unique purpose, but all bind
specific antigens and can
form aggregates/precipitates.
Thrombophilia is the reverse side of the process of blood clotting, when compared to
hemophilia. Bloou Clotting uisoiueis aie pievalent touay, anu coulu pioviue an
inteiesting topic foi a ieseaich pioject.

A second set of vital proteins found in plasma are the CLOTTNG
PROTENS, which as you might suspect, are responsible for the
control of bleeding.
%here are 13 blood clotting proteins (coagulation factor) found in the
blood. %hey are designated by Roman Numerals I through XIII. When a
blood vessel is damaged, these clotting factors are switched on in a
certain order (Blood Clotting Cascade) and work to form a clot. If one
factor is missing or present at low levels, this causes hemophilia and
other blood clotting problems and a proper clot will not form.
%he two most common factor deficiencies are: factor 8 (or factor VIII)
deficiency and factor 9 (or factor IX) deficiency. %he most common,
affecting 80% of the hemophilia population - those with hemophilia A -
is factor VIII. When these blood clotting proteins aren't present is not
easily stopped.


Did you know?

Blood is considered a CONNECTVE TSSUE since it is largely
composed of extracellular fluids, much like bone, tendon, and
ligaments.