Fluent Essays

After viewing this module’s content (including course readings, live classroom, lab, and other supporting material), answer each of the following questions. All of your answers should be written in your own words, using full sentences, correct terminology, and proper spelling and grammar. Explain the anatomical concepts associated with hematology. Summarize this module’s key points in 5-6 sentences. Explain the physiological concepts associated with hematology. Summarize this module’s key points in 5-6 sentences. How will you apply the concepts you have learned about hematology in real life and in your future career? Which topic within this module has been the most valuable to your learning experience and why? Which topic(s) within this module did you struggle to understand and why? (Optional) Do you have any suggestions for your instructor on how they could help you connect with the difficult topics you’ve noted? Primary Functions of Blood · Hematology refers to the study of blood and its function. While anatomy describes the physical composition of blood and blood cells, physiology describes how the blood cells and blood function. Blood serves three primary functions: distribution, regulation, and protection. Distribution, Regulation, and Protection Distribution refers to blood’s transportation roles as it carries nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, glucose, hormones, and cellular waste throughout the body. Regulation is part of homeostasis, in which blood helps maintain pH, fluid, and temperature within narrow windows for survival. Protection includes white blood cell protective functions against foreign cells and materials, as well as the platelets’ clotting response (called hemostasis) to prevent blood loss. 3-Step Hemostasis Process When a blood vessel is injured, the 3-step hemostasis process follows: · Vascular spasm. In this first step, the damaged blood vessel constricts; this is called vasoconstriction. From Visible Body. (n.d.). Vascular Spasm (Illustration). https://www.visiblebody.com/ · Platelet plug formation. In the second step, thrombocytes (also known as platelets) stick together to stop the bleed from within the injured vessel. From Visible Body. (n.d.). Platelet Plug Formation (Illustration). https://www.visiblebody.com/ · Coagulation. In the third and final step, fibrinogen proteins from the plasma are converted to fibrin as they act like glue on the platelet plug to seal the injured area. From Visible Body. (n.d.). Coagulation (Illustration). https://www.visiblebody.com/ Clotting The clotting process is dependent on plasma proteins synthesized by the liver, Vitamin K (potassium), and calcium. When a clot is no longer needed, the plasmin enzyme breaks the clot down in a process called fibrinolysis. Medically, conditions such as a thrombus or embolism may require anti-coagulant medications. A thrombus is an unwanted clot that forms without blood vessel damage. This is more common in adults with elevated cholesterol and diseased blood vessel conditions. If a thrombus or part of a thrombus breaks loose to travel and lodge in another location away from its origin, it is called an embolism. These embolisms may cause conditions like strokes (cerebrovascular accidents). Conversely, people may have bleeding disorders which make clotting difficult. Common causes include hereditary disorders like hemophilia, thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), or impaired liver function. Take a moment to consider this question: “What is blood made of?” Anatomy not only refers to types of cells, tissues, and structures we can see, but also the ones we do not typically see on the surface. This includes blood. While we may think of blood as a liquid, it is actually a connective tissue. Blood is the body’s only fluid connective tissue. Like other connective tissue, it contains cells and extracellular components. Just one pint of blood contains over 2 trillion red blood cells, and the average human body contains 5 Liters, making up approximately 7% of an adult’s weight. Blood is not solely comprised of red blood cells, though. Blood also contains leukocytes and thrombocytes. The blood cells, also referred to as formed elements, only comprise 45% of the human body’s blood. All of these blood cells originate from hematopoietic stem cells within the red bone marrow. Components of blood’s formed elements Erythrocytes The red blood cells, erythrocytes, have no nucleus. This lack of a nucleus creates space for the red blood cell’s key molecular composition: hemoglobin. 95% of the cell is made up of these hemoglobin molecules, which carry oxygen to tissues and remove waste. They do not survive indefinitely, as their life span is only 100-120 days. Hematocrit Hematocrit, a component of a complete blood count (CBC), measures what percent (by volume) of the whole blood is composed of red blood cells. A normal hematocrit for females is 37-47%. A normal hematocrit for males is 42-52%. A low hematocrit may indicate anemia, ulcers, or rapid blood loss. An elevated hematocrit may indicate polycythemia. Polycythemia has a range of causes from low oxygen availability at altitude to bone marrow cancer. Antigens The red blood cells carry identification proteins called antigens on their surface; these antigens are like nametags that identify the blood type. Type A blood carries A-antigens. Type B blood carries B-antigens. Type AB blood carries both antigens. Type O blood carries neither antigen. Those with type AB blood are termed universal recipients, as they can receive any blood type. Those with type O blood are called universal donors, as they can donate to any recipient, regardless of blood type. Rh Factor Red blood cells may also carry another antigen called Rh factor. When this is present, a + follows the blood type. For example, AB+ means the red blood cells carry A-antigens, B-antigens, and Rh-antigens. When Rh antigens are absent, a – follows the blood type. For example, O- blood has no antigens at all. Antibodies After birth, the blood plasma develops antibodies that help protect the body’s own red blood cells. Matching blood types is critical for transfusions to avoid potentially lethal clotting reactions created by plasma antibodies that will attack foreign cells. Blood-type compatibility (Betts et al., 2013) Blood type antigens and antibodies (Betts et al., 2013) Leukocytes and Thrombocytes While the erythrocytes make up 90% of the cells, the other 10% of the blood cells are leukocytes and thrombocytes. Leukocytes, also known as white blood cells (WBC), protect the body as part of the immune system. Thrombocytes, also known as platelets, serve the body’s hemostasis in vessel blood clotting. Leukocytes are classified by their structure as granulocytes or agranulocytes. The granulocyte category includes three cell types: · Neutrophils comprise 50-70% of the overall WBC count. They respond with elevation in the presence of almost any bacterial infection or inflammation. · Eosinophils comprise 2-4% of the overall WBC count. They respond to parasitic infections. · Basophils comprise up to 1% of the WBC count. They release histamine to respond to allergens or inflammation. Agranulocytes come in two varieties: · Lymphocytes comprise 25-45% of the WBC count. They reside in lymphatic tissue and come in T cell and B cell forms. · Monocytes comprise 3-8% of the WBC count. Some of these cells become macrophages which are responsible for cleaning up debris within the human body through a process called phagocytosis. Types of leukocytes (Betts et al., 2013) Plasma While 45% of the blood is made of cells, or formed elements, the other 55% is fluid referred to as plasma. The plasma is made of 92% water. 7% is made of proteins such as hormones and enzymes, which include albumin, globulins, and fibrinogen. The remaining 1% is comprised of electrolytes, gasses, vitamins, minerals, lipids, glucose, amino acids, and metabolic wastes. Components of plasma Now that we have examined what blood is made of, we will move onto physiology, referring to blood’s functions.  Resource(s) Betts, G. J., Desaix, P., Johnson, E., Johnson, J. E., Korol, O., Kruse, D., Poe, B., Wise, J. A., Womble, M., Young, K. A., & O. (2013). Anatomy and Physiology (1st ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology