Ma242

Module 01 Lab Worksheet: Hematology

Introduction

This week’s lab will focus on understanding the concepts of blood cells, plasma and blood typing.

Objectives

Objectives for this week’s lab include: 1) Label the blood cells, 2) Define the functions of each blood cell, 3) Explain the concepts to ABO blood typing and determine your own blood type, and 4) Describe the process of hemostasis.

Overview

Blood is classified as connective tissue and technically is the body’s only fluid tissue. Blood serves three main functions: 1) Transportation- carries oxygen, waste products, hormones and other nutrients/compounds throughout the body, 2) Regulation- assists in maintaining proper pH in body tissues, assists in regulating body temperature and maintains adequate fluid volume, and 3) Protection- helps with preventing infections and blood loss.

Blood is divided into two components: Plasma (about 55% of whole blood) and formed elements (about 45% of whole blood). About 90% of blood plasma consists of water and the remaining 10% are solutes dissolved in the water including electrolytes, plasma proteins, various gasses, nutrients and hormones. The formed elements consist of the blood cells- erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes. Over 90% of the total formed element composition is erythrocytes, which are red blood cells (RBC). RBCs contain a molecule called hemoglobin, which is vital for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the blood. Leukocytes are white blood cells that are part of the immune system and help protect the body from various pathogens. Thrombocytes are also called platelets and play a vital component into the hemostasis process. The formed elements are synthesized by red bone marrow found in the cavities of sponge bone. The bone takes a red color because the majority of cells are red blood cells.

Hemostasis refers to the cessation of bleeding from a blood vessel and is a very controlled and localized response that involves...