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13.1: Introduction to Blood

  • Page ID
    125412
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    Learning Objectives

    After completing this lab report, you should be able to:

    • Describe the composition and function of blood.
    • Demonstrate the procedures hematocrit measurements and list the normal values for a hematocrit.
    • Describe how blood types are determined by agglutination and identify the major blood types.
    • Explain the dangers of mismatched blood types in blood transfusions.

    Blood contains plasma and the formed elements. Plasma contains water, ions, proteins, hormones, nutrients and wastes. The formed elements include red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes).

    Diagram of a blood test tube showing layers: plasma (top), buffy coat (middle), and hematocrit (bottom).
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\) Composition of Blood: Whole blood is made of plasma and the formed elements. When whole blood blood is centrifuged in a tube it separates into three layers: plasma, buffy coat and the red blood cells. The term hematocrit refers to the percentage of whole blood that is made up of red blood cells. (Image credit: "Composition of Blood" by OpenStax is licensed under CC BY 4.0) / Cropped from original

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