Composition of Blood and Their Functions:
1. Red Blood Cells (RBCs):
- Function: Carry oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues and remove carbon dioxide.
- Composition: Contains hemoglobin, a protein that binds to oxygen.
2. White Blood Cells (WBCs):
- Function: Defend the body against infections and foreign substances.
- Composition: Different types of WBCs, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.
3. Platelets:
- Function: Aid in blood clotting to prevent excessive bleeding.
- Composition: Small cell fragments derived from larger cells called megakaryocytes.
4. Plasma:
- Function: Transport nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout the body.
- Composition: A yellowish fluid that consists of water, proteins (such as albumin, globulins, and fibrinogen), electrolytes, hormones, and waste products.
Hematopoiesis:
- Process of blood cell formation that occurs in the bone marrow.
- Stem cells differentiate into various blood cell types, including RBCs, WBCs, and platelets.
Blood Clotting Mechanism:
- Involves a series of steps to form a blood clot at the site of injury.
- Platelets adhere to the damaged blood vessel, release clotting factors, and form a platelet plug.
- Clotting factors in the plasma interact to form fibrin, which strengthens the platelet plug and forms a clot.
Structure of Mammalian Heart:
- Consists of four chambers: two atria and two ventricles.
- Atria receive blood from the body and lungs, while ventricles pump blood out to the body and lungs.
- Valves (such as the atrioventricular valves and semilunar valves) prevent backflow of blood.
Cardiac Cycle:
- Refers to the sequence of events that occur during one heartbeat.
- Includes systole (contraction) and diastole (relaxation) of the atria and ventricles.
- Atria contract simultaneously, followed by ventricular contraction, and then relaxation of all chambers.
ECG (Electrocardiogram):
- A recording of the electrical activity of the heart.
- Measures the depolarization and repolarization of the heart muscle.
- Helps diagnose various heart conditions, such as arrhythmias and heart attacks.
Blood Pressure and Its Regulation:
- Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood against the walls of blood vessels.
- Regulated by the autonomic nervous system and hormones like adrenaline and aldosterone.
- Factors such as blood volume, heart rate, and blood vessel diameter influence blood pressure.