BLOOD AND BODY FLUIDS
The total amount of water in a human body consists of 75% of
human body weight. The quantity of water in an average human
body is 40L. Water is present in two major parts of human body.
1)Intracellular fluid-55% of total body water and its volume is 22L
2)Extracellular fluid-45% of total body water and its volume is 18
L.
Body fluids consists of organic and inorganic substances and it is
expressed in three ways
1)Osmolality
2)Osmolarity
3)Tonicity
PROPERTIES OF BLOOD
Blood is present in the circulatory system of the
human body.
1)arterial blood is red in color and venous blood is
purple.
2)volume in an adult is 5 L.
3)blood is alkaline and its pH is 7.4.
4) blood has high viscosity.
5) blood has three types of cells RBCS, WBCS and
platelets.
6)the higher components of blood are plasma and
RBCs.
BLOOD GRAVITY
Specific gravity
Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a substance to
the density of a reference substance.
Specific gravity is also called relative density.
Blood normally has a specific gravity of :
1.05 - 1.06 g/L
Specific gravity
Specific gravity depends on :
RBCs Plasma proteins
The higher the concentration of RBCs and plasma proteins,
higher will be the specific gravity.
1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06
ONCOTIC PRESSUE OR OSMOTIC
PRESSURE
Oncotic pressure, or colloid osmotic pressure, is
a form of osmotic pressure exerted by blood
plasma proteins. It usually tends to pull water
(fluid) into the circulatory system(capillaries).
It is the opposing force to hydrostatic pressure
Its normal value is :
0.03-0.04 atm
(or)
Hg 20-25 mm
COMPOSITION OF BLOOD
BLOOD IS THE MAIN MEDIUM WHICH IS
COMPOSED OF TWO PARTS.
1) 55% OF PLASMA
2)45% OF RBCS.
In between the plasma and RBCs are present
the white blood cells and platelets. The white
blood cells and platelets form a thin layer of
white buffy coat.
Composition of blood
Plasma proteins
The solid component of plasma consists of major plasma proteins as
well.
1)albumin 4.7g/dL (65-85 g/l) (liver)
2)globulin 2.3g/dL (28 g/l) (liver and immune system)
3)fibrinogen 0.3g/dL (3 g/l) (liver)
ALBUMIN-GLOBULIN RATIO: 2:1(helps in determining liver
diseases.
There are Lipids and carbohydrates in plasma
The major plasma carbohydrate is glucose
(3.3-5.5 mmol/L) .
Plasma normally contains varying amounts of hormones, enzymes,
pigments, and vitamins.
The composition of plasma varies with the body’s activity and
different physiological states.
Functions of plasma proteins
1)exerts osmotic pressure which helps in exchange
of various substances, through capillary membrane.
(maximum pressure exerted by albumin)
2) blood viscosity
3) helps in coagulation of blood (prothrombin and
fibrinogen)
4)helps in defense mechanisms(gamma globin
antibodies)
5)fibrinolytic function prevents from thrombosis
6)transport functions
Transport functions of plasma proteins
Molecule to be transported Plasma protein transferring the
molecule
thyroxin Alpha 1 globin
cortisol transcortin
Vitamin A,D E HDL/LDL
Vitamin B 12 transcobalamine
bilirubin Albumin
copper ceruloplasmin
Free hemoglobin haptoglobulin
Bilirubin
Bilirubin is the main component of heme and it
is formed when old mature RBCs degrade.
After circulating in blood bilirubin is
transported into the liver by albumin. Then it
conjugated by the glucuronic acid via the
glucornyl transferase. Much of it goes into bile
duct and then small intestine.
RBCs
They are the part of blood which contains
hemoglobin and they are non nucleated and
spherical in shape. They are also called as
erythrocytes and they contain hemoglobulin.
1)diameter: 7.8micrometer
2) thickness: peripheral 2.5 micrometer and center is
1 micrometer
3)surface area 120-140 cubic micrometer
4)volume 90-95 cubic micrometer
When there is increase in RBCs the condition is
known as polycythemia.
RBCS/ERYTHROCYTES
In humans, mature red blood cells are oval biconcave disks and they are flexible.
A typical human erythrocyte has a disk diameter of approximately 6.2–8.2 µm
They lack a cell nucleus and most organelles, in order to accommodate
maximum space for haemoglobin.
Since RBCs have a elastic membrane, they are able to change their shape when
they pass through the capillaries.
The cells develop in the bone marrow and circulate for about 100–120 days in the
body before their components are recycled by macrophages.
Human red blood cells take on average 20 seconds to complete one cycle
of circulation.
Normal range :
In male : 4.0-5.0 × 1012/L
In female : 3.5-4.5 × 1012/L
Functions of RBCs
1)transport of oxygen from the lungs to the
tissues.
2)transport of carbon di oxide from the tissues
to the lungs
3)maintains buffering action in blood by
regulating hydrogen ions concentration
4)carrying the antigen factors and providing
blood group to the individual.
Production of RBCS
RBCs are formed in the bone
marrow. This process is
stimulated by a hormone called
as erythropoietin. The
erythropoietin is generated in
the kidney.
Types of polycythemia
physiological pathological
Age Primary polycythemia
(myeloproliferative disorders)
sex Secondary polycythemia (COPD)
High altitude
Muscular exercise
High temperature
meals
CLASSIFICATION OF RBCs
ACCORDING TO SIZE
1)MICROCYTES (SMALLER CELLS) AND
THEIR DEFICEINCY LEADS TO IRON
DEFICIENCY ANEMIA.
2)MACROCYTES (LARGER CELLS) AND
THEIR DEFICEINCY LEADS TO
MEGALOBLASTIC ANEMIA.
3)ANISOCYTES OCCUR IN PERNICIOUS
ANEMIA.
Erythropoeisis
This is maturation of RBCs from the specific precursors.
RBCs are made in the bone marrow (stem cells).
Different units of colony forming cells are:
i. Colony forming unit-erythrocytes (CFU-E) –
Cells of this unit develop into erythrocytes
ii. Colony forming unit-granulocytes/monocytes
(CFU-GM) – These cells give rise to granulocytes
(neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils) and
monocytes
iii. Colony forming unit-megakaryocytes (CFU-M)
– Platelets are developed from these cells.
Erythropoeisis
Factors for erythropoeisis
General factors necessary for erythropoiesis
are:
i. Erythropoietin
ii. Thyroxin
iii. Hemopoietic growth factors
iv. Vitamins.
Factors for maturation of cells
Vitamin B12, intrinsic factor and folic acid are
necessary
for the maturation of RBCs.
