Blood Components
Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)
● Shape: Biconcave disks, optimizing surface area for oxygen transport.
● Function: Carry most of the oxygen in the blood via hemoglobin; also transport some
carbon dioxide.
● Lifecycle: Mature via erythropoiesis.
● Issues: Can rupture under certain conditions, releasing hemoglobin.
Regulation of Red Blood Cells
● Negative feedback controls oxygen delivery by regulating erythropoiesis via
erythropoietin (EPO).
● Why might an athlete use EPO injections?Athletes may abuse EPO (blood doping) to
increase RBC count, enhancing oxygen delivery and performance.
● Blood doping: boosting the number of red blood cells in the blood to improve athletic
performance
● Hematrotic: The percentage of red blood cells in a person’s total blood volume.
● Muehlegg claimed that diarrhea led to changes in his hematocrit. Is this possible?
White Blood Cells and Platelets
● White blood cells differ in function and form from red blood cells.
● Platelets are fragments from megakaryocytes in bone marrow and play a crucial role in
clotting.
● Megakaryocytes: they are giant cells with multiple copies of DNA in the nucleus.
● Platelet lifespan: approx. 9-12 days.
Regulation of Platelets and Clotting Factors
● Thrombopoietin (TPO), mainly from the liver, regulates platelet production.
● Calcium ions (Ca2+) and Vitamin K are essential cofactors for clotting factor activation.
● Vitamin K is critical in the synthesis of factors II, VII, IX, and X in the liver.
● What happens if platelet count is low (thrombocytopenia)? They will not bind as
frequently as they did
Plasma Proteins
● Albumins are key plasma proteins formed in the liver, important for transport and
osmotic balance.
● Clotting factors including fibrinogen are produced mainly in the liver.
Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)
● Shape: Biconcave disks, optimizing surface area for oxygen transport.
● Function: Carry most of the oxygen in the blood via hemoglobin; also transport some
carbon dioxide.
● Lifecycle: Mature via erythropoiesis.
● Issues: Can rupture under certain conditions, releasing hemoglobin.
Regulation of Red Blood Cells
● Negative feedback controls oxygen delivery by regulating erythropoiesis via
erythropoietin (EPO).
● Why might an athlete use EPO injections?Athletes may abuse EPO (blood doping) to
increase RBC count, enhancing oxygen delivery and performance.
● Blood doping: boosting the number of red blood cells in the blood to improve athletic
performance
● Hematrotic: The percentage of red blood cells in a person’s total blood volume.
● Muehlegg claimed that diarrhea led to changes in his hematocrit. Is this possible?
White Blood Cells and Platelets
● White blood cells differ in function and form from red blood cells.
● Platelets are fragments from megakaryocytes in bone marrow and play a crucial role in
clotting.
● Megakaryocytes: they are giant cells with multiple copies of DNA in the nucleus.
● Platelet lifespan: approx. 9-12 days.
Regulation of Platelets and Clotting Factors
● Thrombopoietin (TPO), mainly from the liver, regulates platelet production.
● Calcium ions (Ca2+) and Vitamin K are essential cofactors for clotting factor activation.
● Vitamin K is critical in the synthesis of factors II, VII, IX, and X in the liver.
● What happens if platelet count is low (thrombocytopenia)? They will not bind as
frequently as they did
Plasma Proteins
● Albumins are key plasma proteins formed in the liver, important for transport and
osmotic balance.
● Clotting factors including fibrinogen are produced mainly in the liver.
