Human Blood
Human blood is a liquid connecting tissue. It delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells.
It is composed of blood cells suspended in blood plasma. Plasma constitutes 55% of blood fluid and contains dissipated proteins, glucose, mineral ions, hormones, carbon dioxide and blood cells themselves. Plasma is the main medium for excretory product transportation. Albumin is the main protein in plasma.
Blood Cells are classified as:
1. RBCs (Red Blood Cells) or Erythrocytes
2. WBCs (white blood cells) or Leucocytes and
3. Platelets (thrombocytes).
The RBCs contain Haemoglobin (Iron containing protein) and it transports Oxygen to the cells and Carbon dioxide away from the cells. WBCs are the bodies’ own defence mechanism. It has immunologic properties. White blood cells help to resist infections and parasites. Platelets are important in the clotting of blood.
Blood Groups: The most common type of grouping is the ABO grouping. The varieties of glycoprotein coating on red blood cells divide blood into four groups. The glycol protein present on the RBC surface is the body’s own Antigen. Any other Glycoprotein acts as an Antibody.
Group | Antigen | Antibody |
A | A | B |
B | B | A |
AB | A,B | — |
O | — | A,B |
Blood group “O”is known as “The Universal Donor”. Blood group “AB” is known as “The Universal Recipient”.
Rh- factor: Apart from this there is a protein which is important for the grouping of blood. This is called the Rh factor. If this is present, the particular blood type is called positive. If it is absent, it is called negative. It is Called Rhesus Factor since it was discovered 1st in a Rhesus monkey. Rh factor along with the blood group plays an important role during Blood Transfusion.
Blood Group Genetics: Blood groups of a child can be determined if the blood group of parents are known. It can be determined through checkered square.
A | B | |
A | A | AB |
B | AB | B |
O | AO (=A) | BO (=B) |
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