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Accelerated Biology

Plasma
 Liquid portion of blood
 90% water
 10 % solutes
 metabolites –
nutrients, vitamins,
hormones, gases
 salts – sodium,
chloride
 proteins – help in
blood clotting and
fighting infection
 wastes

Red Blood Cells (RBC)
 carry oxygen
 hemoglobin protein
binds to the oxygen
 biconcave shape
increases the surface
area
 called erythrocytes
 Only live ~ 4 months
 new cells constantly
produced in the bone
marrow
 old worn out cells
destroyed in the
spleen
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The oxygen carrying capacity of the blood cells is
reduced
Can result from a loss of blood or nutritional
deficiencies
Symptoms include fatigue, loss of energy, leg cramps
 Organs are not getting the oxygen they need

White Blood Cells (WBC)
 defend the body
against disease
 Only 1 or 2 WBC for
every 1,000 RBC!
 called leukocytes

Platelets
 function in blood
clotting
 cell fragments that are
irregularly shaped and
colorless
 When damage occurs,
they rush to the site
and form a clump that
stops the blood loss
 called thrombocytes,
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A disease where the
blood fails to clot
Caused by a mutation in
the gene that codes for
one of the blood clotting
factor proteins
Called “The Royal
Disease”
 Queen Victoria was a
carrier and past the
gene on to many of her
descendents
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Blood type is genetically determined by the presence
or absence of antigens on the surface of RBC
Antigens can provoke an immune response
Blood plasma contains WBC called antibodies
People with AB blood are the universal recipients
because they have A and B antigens and no antibodies
People with O blood are the universal donors
because they have no antigens to trigger an immune
reaction

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In 1941 Charlie Chaplin
met a young Actress
named Joan Barry and
had an affair with her.
Shortly after the affair
ended, Barry gave birth
to a daughter and
claimed Charlie was the
father.
 Barry – Type A
 Child – Type B
 Chaplin – Type O
Could Charlie Chaplin be
the father of this child?
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No! He cant be the
father. The father must
carry an O allele, which
Charlie does not.
Blood typing was a brand
new technology and was
not admissible in the
court case.
The judge ordered
Charlie to pay child
support until the child’s
18th birthday.
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The +/– blood type comes from a different antigen
called Rh factor
originally identified in Rhesus monkeys
if you have the protein  Rh+
if you lack the protein  Rh–

RhoGAM is given to an Rh- pregnant woman with an
Rh+ fetus to prevent her body from developing
antibodies that would harm her baby.

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Blood pressure is the force that the blood exerts
against the vessels.
This provides information about the health of the
arteries.

It is measured as a ratio in mm of Hg (Mercury)
Systolic
diastolic
 Systolic is the pressure exerted when the ventricles
contract and blood is pushed into the arteries.
 Diastolic is the pressure exerted when the heart
relaxes.
 An average BP reading is 120/80

Blood pressure is measured by an instrument called a
sphygmomanometer. It is best to measure blood
pressure when you are relaxed and sitting or lying
down.
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Hypertension, or high blood pressure, increases the
chances that a vessel will burst.
Atherosclerosis – Blood flow is blocked by the buildup
of fatty deposits inside the arteries.
Arteriosclerosis - Blood flow is blocked by the buildup
of calcium deposits inside the arteries.
 Literally means hardening of the arteries.
 Now the heart has to work harder to pump the
blood through since the arteries are no longer
elastic.
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Healthy diet
Regular exercise
Not smoking
Regular medical
checkups
Early diagnosis and
treatment of high BP