Hematology

-collectively it is called the study of blood (Gr: Heme- blood; logy- study)

Blood

-blood is a liquid connective tissue which flows inside the blood vessels
(unidirectional and regular).

is red in color due to presence of blood pigment i.e. hemoglobin

Arterial blood bright red (pH- 7.4) due to oxy hb

Venous blood pinkish bluish (pH- 7.35) due to carboxy hb
it constitute 7% of blood weight
- 5.0 liter in average
- 1/14th of body weight
Composition of blood
I. Solid part (45%) blood cells
When the blood sample is centrifuged, 3 complete layers are visible after
centrifugation. Bottom layer is of RBC (~ 44%)
Middle layer is of WBC (~ 1%)
Topmost layer is of plasma (55%)

II. Fluid part (55%) Plasma/serum

Plasma
-is a straw color fluid obtained after
centrifugation of ant coagulated blood.
- Plasma = BLOOD BLOOD CELLS
- is 455ml/kg body wt of vol.
- In an average human its total volume is 2.7
3.0 liter.
- it consists of 2 parts- i) water 90-92%
-ii) Solid material 8-10%
Serum
- is a clear yellow fluid obtained when
non coagulated blood is allowed to clot.
- Serum = PLASMA CLOTING
FACTOR
- it contains plasma proteins (7%)

Plasma proteins

pH of blood (slightly alkaline) Artery blood pH 7.4

Venous blood pH 7.35
Viscosity 4.5- 5.5 times viscous than water
Specific gravity -1.052 -1.060 gm/cm3 (1052 1060 kg/m3)
specific gravity of RBC 1.10 gm /cm3
 specific gravity of plasma 1.03 gm/cm3
Osmotic (Oncotic) pressure of blood 25 mm of Hg
Its mean temperature is 38o C

Function of Blood
1. Transportation and distribution
Oxygen is carried from the lungs to tissue.
Nutrients absorbed from digestive tract eg- monosaccharides (esp
glucose), amino acids, fatty acids, glycerol and vitamins are
transported to cells of body for use or storage.
Waste products of metabolism are transported from tissue to sites of
excretion eg- CO2 produced from cellular activity is carried to lungs
for excretion, and the waste products of protein metabolism (urea,
creatinine, uric acid) are transported to kidney for excretion.
Hormones are carried from endocrine glands to the target organs.

2. Regulatory
Buffer system in the plasma maintains the pH of blood between 7.35-
7.45 and pH of tissue within physiological limits required for normal
cellular activity.
Proteins (esp. albumin) and salts (esp. sod. chloride) regulate plasma
osmotic pressure, preventing excessive loss of fluid from the blood
into tissues spaces.
Blood assists in maintaining internal temperature of body by absorbing
and distributing heat throughout the body and to skin surface.

3. Protective
When blood vessel is damaged, platelets and blood coagulation factors
interact to control blood loss. [CLOTTING MECHANISM]
Leukocytes are involved in body's immune defences, producing
antibodies against foreign bodies (bacteria, virus, toxins, tumor cells
etc.) [DEFENCE MECHANISM]