Blood Plasma
- Roughly 92% water,
mixed with organic and inorganic substances
- The most abundant plasma
solute is the plasma protein, of which there are three groups
: albumins, globulins, and fibrinogen
- Albumins
: ~60% of the plasma proteins are albumins; they are the smallest of the
proteins. They help to maintain osmotic pressure in the blood.
- Globulins
: ~36% of the plasma proteins. Alpha and beta globulins are, like albumins,
made in the liver. They transport lipids and fat-soluble vitamins, among
other things. Gamma-globulins are made in the lymphatic system, and they
include antibodies.
- Fibrinogen
: ~4% of the plasma proteins; works in the blood clotting mechanism. It
is the largest of the plasma proteins and is made in the liver.
- A decrease in the number
of plasma proteins can lead to a change in the osmotic pressure, resulting
in edema.
- Plasma also contains
plasma nutrients (such as amino acids, simple sugars and lipids)
and the blood gases (O2 and CO2)
- Non-protein nitrogenous substances
are also found in the plasma.
- Urea,
uric acid and amino acids fall into this category.
The kidneys keep the levels of these substances low by constantly removing
them.
- Plasma electrolytes include
Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg+, Cl-
, HCO3-, PO4-, SO4
. They work in maintaining osmotic pressure and blood pH, among being essential
for many metabolic processes.
Hemostasis
- How to stop bleeding?
Several actions may occur when a vessel is ruptured.
- Blood Vessel Spasm
: the smooth muscle wall of the vessel contracts, constricting the vessel
and minimizing blood loss.
- Platelet Plug Formation
: platelets adhere to the collagen that is found outside the vessel, then
they adhere to themselves, forming a "cork" in the hole.
- Coagulation
: also called blood clotting
- In the presence of Ca
2+, prothrombin (an alpha-globulin) is converted to
thrombin. (this is at the end of a long positive feedback cascade
of reactions, started when the damaged vessel secretes cytokines)
- Thrombin acts like an enzyme,
causing fibrinogen molecules to join and become fibrin
.
- Fibrin will stick to the
exposed surfaces of the broken vessel, creating a mesh or net to "catch"
more platelets and other blood cells.
- The mass which forms is
called a blood clot.
- A thrombus
is a blood clot that forms abnormally. If it dislodges and is running through
the system, it is called an embolus.
- Hemophilia
is a genetic disorder of the clotting mechanism. There are several types,
indicating different clotting factors that are missing.
Blood Groups
- A transfusion of unknown
blood runs the risk of causing agglutination , or a clumping
of erythrocytes. It occurs due to the presence of counteracting agglutinogens
and agglutinins.
- ABO blood groups are based
on the presence or absence of agglutinogen A and agglutinogen B.
- Rh blood groups are based
on several Rh agglutinogens, but the most important one is agglutinogen D.
- Erythroblastosis fetalis
arises from an Rh factor reaction between a mother and her unborn child