Composition and function of BLOOD DR RAGHUVEER CHOUDHARY

Introduction

A. The internal environment is regulated by the fluids which bathe the cells: 1. Interstitial fluid (IF) is found outside cells and in between the cells 2. Lymph inside lymph vessels 3. Blood within blood vessels B. Hematology is the science which studies blood and blood disorders

Blood
 Fluid connective tissue  Functions include
Transporting dissolved gases, nutrients, hormones, and metabolic wastes Regulating pH and ion composition of interstitial fluids Restricting fluid loss at injury sites Defending the body against toxins and pathogens Regulating body temperature by absorbing and redistributing heat

The Composition of Whole Blood

Figure 19.1a

Composition of Blood

 Total Blood Volume : 5-6 liters (8% of body weight or 80ml/kg body weight)  Specific Gravity : 1050-1060  Viscosity : 4-5 times that of water  Ph : 7.4 (.05); it is alkaline in nature  In acidosis Ph of blood falls below 7.38 and in alkalosis Ph is more than 7.42

Figure 10.1

Composition of Blood

 Blood contains plasma & formed

elements(cells)  Cells represent 45% of blood volume  Hematocrit represents the percentage of red blood cells in blood (called Packed Cell Volume (PCV)

1. A lower than normal hematocrit is representative of a condition known as anemia  2. An abnormally high hematocrit is representative of polycythemia

 Hematocrit for males: 40%-54% (47%);

Females: 38%-46% (42%)

Blood Components:

Figure 16-1: Composition of blood

Blood Components: Cells

 Erythrocytes
Red Blood Cells (RBC) O2 & CO2 transport

 White Blood Cells (WBC)

Immune defense Phagocytosis

 Platelets: clotting

Blood Cells

Plasma is a clear ,straw colored fluid portion of blood & represents 55% of the total blood volume. It contains 91% water and 9% solids ( 1% inorganic molecules ,8% organic molecules)

 The major inorganic

 Of 8% organic molecules

Na+ molecules are ,Ca++, Hco3-, K+ , Mg++, Cu++, Po4-3

 7% are Plasma Proteins  (6.4-8.3 gm%)

 1% are Non Protein

Nitrogenous substances(urea,Uric acid,Creatinine,Xanth in)

. plasma composition 1. 91% water 2. 9% solutes a. Proteins -albumins; globulins (alpha, beta, gamma); fibrinogen b. Nutrients c. Enzymes d. Hormones e. Respiratory gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide) f. Electrolytes (sodium, chloride, potassium) g. Waste products (urea, uric acid, creatinine, H+, etc)

Figure 10.1

Plasma
 Water  Plasma proteins

Albumin (60%) Osmotic Gradient Globulins (Ab) Fibrinogen  Other solutes Electrolytes Nutrients Trace Elements Dissolved gases

Serum = Plasma Clotting factors

Serum = Plasma Clotting factors

Plasma Proteins Albumin Globulin- , , , Fibrinogen

Origin: Liver- Albumin & Fibrinogen Plasma cells, lymphocytes, tissue macrophages- Globulin

Plasma proteins
 concentration 63 83 g f l (6.3-8.3gm%)  simple or conjugated (glycoproteins, lipoproteins)  separation:

a) salting-out methods p albumin, globulins, fibrinogen b) electrophoresis p albumin, globulin E1, E2, F, K fractions:
K F E2 E1

albumin

Albumins
 more than 90% are synthesized in the liver
55% of plasma proteins 3-5 gm% (average 4.8gm%)
Functions: maintenance of the osmotic pressure of plasma and viscosity transport of: steroid hormones free fatty acids bilirubin drugs (sulfonamides, aspirin) Ca2+ Cu2+

Plasma Proteins-GLOBULINS
 Globulin is 38%of plasma Proteins  2-3 gm%(average 2.3gm%)  13%

globulin: 0.79-0.84 gm%  14% globulin : 0.78-0.81 gm%  11% globulin: 0.66-0.70 gm%  A/G ratio :1.7-1
 7% Fibrinogen: 0.3 gm%  Prothrombin: 40 mg %

Elfo fractions of plasma proteins

Fraction
Albumins: albumin pre-albumin (transthyretin)
E1-globulins: thyroxin-binding globulin, transcortin, E1-acid glycoprotein, E1-antitrypsin, E1-lipoprotein (HDL), E1-fetoprotein E2-globulins: haptoglobin, macroglobulin, ceruloplasmin F-globulins: transferrin, hemopexin, lipoprotein (LDL), fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, C3 and C4 components of the complement system K-globulins: IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, IgE

Rel. amount (%)

52 58 2,4 4,4

c (g)
34 50 2-4

6,1 10,1 8,5 14,5

59 6 11

10 21

8 15

 Globulins
~38% of plasma proteins Include immunoglobins which attack foreign proteins and pathogens Include transport globulins which bind ions, hormones and other compounds

 Fibrinogen
Converted to fibrin during clotting Removal of fibrinogen leaves serum

Functions of Plasma Proteins

 Exert Osmotic Pressure :  Contribution to Blood Viscosity  Role in Coagulation of Blood  Role in Defense Mechanism of Body  Role in maintaining acid base balance of body  Transport Function

Exert osmotic pressure  Plasma proteins can t cross capillary membrane so exert colloidal osmotic pressure of about 25mmHg on capillary membrane. 80% of COP is contributed by Albumin  COP plays an important role in exchange of water between blood & tissue fluid  At arterial end of capillaries, due to high Hydrostatic Pressure than COP there occurs filtration of fluid out in tissues  At venous end of capillaries due to lower HP than COP there occur absorption of fluid from tissues in to vessels

Contribution to Blood Viscosity  Shape of Plasma Proteins Greatly contribute

to Viscosity of Blood.  Fibrinogen & globulins are main contributors due to their asymetrical shape  The Blood Viscosity plays an important role in the maintenance of Blood Pressure by providing resistance to flow of blood .

Role in Coagulation of Blood  The Fibrinogen ,Prothrombin & other

coagulation proteins present in plasma play important role in the coagulation of Blood.
 Whenever ,there is injury to blood vessels, the

fibrinogen is converted in to fibrin which form blood clot

Role in Defense
 The Gamma globulins are anti bodies which

plays an important role in the immune system meant for defense of the body against the micro-organisms

Acid-Base Balance  Plasma Proteins acts as Buffers

 Contribute for 15% buffering capacity of Blood  PP are amphhoteric in nature means can

combine with acids and bases.  In Acidic Ph the NH2 group of the proteins acts as base & accept proton & is converted to NH4  In Alkaline Ph the COOH group of the protein act as acid & can donate a proton & thus become COO-

Transport Function

 PP can combine easily with many substances

& play an essential role in their transport  CO2 is transported by PP in the form of carbamino compounds  Thyroxine- is transported by an alpha globuline called TBP  Cortisol is transported by transcortin(mucoprotein)

Transport Function  Vitamins A,D & E are transported by the high

    

and low density lipoproteins. Bilirubin is transported with Albumin & also with fractions of alpha globulin. Drugs are transported with Albumin Ca++ of plasma is 50% bound to proteins for transport. Cu is bound to ceruloplasmin(alpha globulin) for transport Free HB in the vessels is bound to haptoglobin & is carried to reticulo-endothelial system

Causes of Albumin Deficiency

 Liver diseases (cirrhosis) decrease in the ratio of albumin to

globulins
 Protein malnutrition  Excessive excretion by kidneys (renal disease)  Mutation causing analbuminemia (affects splicing)

Variations in plasma protein levels

Reduced albumin: (i) Infancy (ii) Pregnancy (iii) Hepatitis (iv) Cirrhosis (v) Nephrosis (vi) burns Increased globulin: (i) Cirrhosis of liver (ii) Tuberculosis (iii) Lymphatic leukemia Decreased Fibrinogen: (i) Congenital (ii) DIC Increased Fibrinogen: (i) Pregnancy (ii) malaria