PC1001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Buffy Coat, Coagulation, Hematocrit
Document Summary
Blood serves as a transport function moving nutrients (oxygen, glucose), wastes (carbon dioxide, urea), hormones, protects via the immune system molecules and regulates temp, ph, water balance within the body. Blood is a liquid connective tissue comprising -8% of the body or, on average, 5. 5 litres men; 0. 5l less in women. It has cellular (formed) elements(cells & bits of cells) tres in elements(cells & bits of cells) and plasma (fluid). Plasma is mostly water (92%) with some proteins (7%) and solutes (electrolytes, wastes, nutrients). The cellular portions are; red blood cells (rbs or erythrocytes), white cells(wbc, leukocytes), and platelets. The "buffy" coat is white cells and platelets <1% of blood cell volume. The haematocrit of % of blood that is rbc (also called packed cell volume, pvc) is 37-47% in women and 40-54% in men. The "fluid" portion of blood - same as. "interstitial" (extracellular) fluid excep for "plasma" proteins (increases osmotic pressure of the blood).
