Chapter 17 Study Guide
17: Blood I. Overview: Blood Composition and Functions (pp. 635–636; Fig. 17.1)
A. Components (p. 635; Fig. 17.1)
1. Blood is a specialized connective tissue consisting of living cells, called formed elements, suspended in a nonliving fluid matrix, blood plasma.
2. Blood that has been centrifuged separates into three layers: erythrocytes, the buffy coat, and plasma.
3. The blood hematocrit represents the percentage of erythrocytes in whole blood.
B. Physical Characteristics and Volume (p. 635)
1. Blood is a slightly basic (pH = 7.35–7.45) fluid that has a higher density and viscosity than water, due to the presence of formed elements.
2. Normal blood volume in males is 5–6 liters, and 4–5 liters for females.
C. Functions (pp. 635–636)
1. Blood is the medium for delivery of oxygen and nutrients, removal of metabolic wastes to elimination sites, and distribution of hormones.
2. Blood aids in regulating body temperature, body fluid pH, and fluid volume within fluid compartments.
3. Blood protects against excessive blood loss through the clotting mechanism, and from infection through the immune system. II. Blood Plasma (p. 636; Table 17.1)
A. Blood plasma consists of mostly water (90%), and solutes including nutrients, gases, hormones, wastes, products of cell activity, ions, and proteins (p. 636; Table 17.1).
B. Plasma proteins account for 8% of plasma solutes, mostly albumin, which function as carriers (p. 636). III. Formed Elements (pp. 637–649; Figs. 17.2–17.12; Table 17.2)
A. Erythrocytes (pp. 637–643; Figs. 17.2–17.8)
1. Erythrocytes, or red blood cells, are small cells that are biconcave in shape. They lack nuclei and most organelles, and contain mostly hemoglobin.
a. Hemoglobin is an oxygen-binding pigment that is responsible for the transport of most of the oxygen in the blood.
b. Hemoglobin is made up of the protein globin bound to the red heme pigment.
2. Production of Erythrocytes
a. Hematopoiesis, or blood cell formation, occurs in
A. Components (p. 635; Fig. 17.1)
1. Blood is a specialized connective tissue consisting of living cells, called formed elements, suspended in a nonliving fluid matrix, blood plasma.
2. Blood that has been centrifuged separates into three layers: erythrocytes, the buffy coat, and plasma.
3. The blood hematocrit represents the percentage of erythrocytes in whole blood.
B. Physical Characteristics and Volume (p. 635)
1. Blood is a slightly basic (pH = 7.35–7.45) fluid that has a higher density and viscosity than water, due to the presence of formed elements.
2. Normal blood volume in males is 5–6 liters, and 4–5 liters for females.
C. Functions (pp. 635–636)
1. Blood is the medium for delivery of oxygen and nutrients, removal of metabolic wastes to elimination sites, and distribution of hormones.
2. Blood aids in regulating body temperature, body fluid pH, and fluid volume within fluid compartments.
3. Blood protects against excessive blood loss through the clotting mechanism, and from infection through the immune system. II. Blood Plasma (p. 636; Table 17.1)
A. Blood plasma consists of mostly water (90%), and solutes including nutrients, gases, hormones, wastes, products of cell activity, ions, and proteins (p. 636; Table 17.1).
B. Plasma proteins account for 8% of plasma solutes, mostly albumin, which function as carriers (p. 636). III. Formed Elements (pp. 637–649; Figs. 17.2–17.12; Table 17.2)
A. Erythrocytes (pp. 637–643; Figs. 17.2–17.8)
1. Erythrocytes, or red blood cells, are small cells that are biconcave in shape. They lack nuclei and most organelles, and contain mostly hemoglobin.
a. Hemoglobin is an oxygen-binding pigment that is responsible for the transport of most of the oxygen in the blood.
b. Hemoglobin is made up of the protein globin bound to the red heme pigment.
2. Production of Erythrocytes
a. Hematopoiesis, or blood cell formation, occurs in