Summary
Summary Silverthorn Chapter 16 - Blood
- Course
- Institution
Summary Chapter 16 Silverthorn
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
kipsten
Reviews received
Content preview
SILVERTHORNCHAPTER 16 – BLOOD
PLASMA AND THE CELLULAR ELEMENTS OF BLOOD
Plasma is the fluid matrix of the blood, within which cellular elements are suspended. Water is the
main component of plasma:
– 92 % water
– 7 % proteins
– 1 % dissolved organic molecules (amino acids, glucose, lipids, ions etc.)
Plasma is identical in composition to interstitial fluid except for the presence of plasma proteins.
Albumins are the most prevalent type of protein in the plasma. The liver makes most plasma
proteins and secretes them into the blood. The presence of proteins in the plasma makes the
osmotic pressure of the blood higher than that of the interstitial fluid. This osmotic gradient tends
to pull water from the interstitial fluid into the capillaries and offset filtration out of the capillaries
created by blood pressure.
Cellular elements
Three main cellular elements are found in blood:
1. Red blood cells / erythrocytes
2. White blood cells / leukocytes
o Lymphocytes
o Monocytes develop into macrophages.
o Neutrophils
o Eosinophils
o Basophils
3. Platelets / thrombocytes
The types of white blood cells may be grouped according to common morphological or functional
characteristics. Neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages are phagocytes. Lymphocytes are
called immunocytes. Basophils, eosinophils, and neutrophils are called granulocytes.
BLOOD CELL PRODUCTION
All different types of blood cells arise from a single precursor cell type called the pluripotent
hematopoietic stem cell, which is primarily found in the bone marrow. As this cell type specialize,
it narrows its possible fates. First they become uncommitted stem cells, then progenitor cells,
which then differentiate into RBCs, lymphocytes or other white blood cells, and megakaryocytes,
which are the parent cells of the platelets.
Haematopoiesis is the synthesis of blood cells, which starts during embryonic development. Active
bone marrow is red, because it contains haemoglobin, the oxygen-binding protein of RBCs. Inactive
marrow is yellow, because of an abundance of adipocytes. RBCs live for nearly four months in the
circulation. Haematopoiesis is controlled by cytokines. Most important cytokines are the colony-
stimulating factors, molecules made by endothelial cells and white blood cells. Other important
cytokines are the interleukins and erythropoietin, which controls red blood cell synthesis.
Silverthorn – chapter 16: Blood Page 1 of 5
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller kipsten. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $3.35. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
83662 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now