Blood Composition Poster
MacLean Bowie & Parker Respondek
Serology
Serology is the study of blood and its contents. A forensic serologist would analyze the contents of the blood looking for anything out of place, that could possibly give light to a suspicious death or other case.
Plasma
Making up fifty five percent of the our blood, plasma, it is the liquid part of the blood. With all blood cells suspended in the blood plasma, this permits the travel of cells and nutrients to and from various vital organs.
Antibodies
Antibodies are the heart of the immune system. They are proteins created by white blood cells. Each antibody created to identify, seek, and destroy a certain substance or organism; including viruses and bacteria.
Antigens
Foreign substances that warrant the production of said antibodies are known as antigens. Ultimately anything that the body's antibodies deem threatening is an antigen. Unfortunately, antibodies do not just attack potentially harmful bacteria and viruses, during an organ transplant antibodies may reject the new organ and kill it.
Erythrocytes
Merely blood cells without as much as a nucleus, erythrocytes still maintain one of the most important jobs. Implementing the use of hemoglobin erythrocytes are able to carry carbon dioxide to and from the lungs. This process provides energy for the whole body keeping it alive.
ABO
The most important blood group when considering a blood transfusion. The blood type AB has both A and B antigens, meaning antibodies in all blood accept AB will reject it, and no antibodies, meaning it won't reject any blood. This makes AB the universal receiver. Blood type O on the other hand, has no antigens meaning it won't be attacked by the antibodies of any blood type. However, it has A and B antibodies so it can only receive O blood. This makes O the universal donor.
Rh
The blood group second in importance only to the ABO blood group, the Rh blood group's most important antigen is the D antigen. Whether or not you are Rh negative or Rh positive is determined by the presence of the D antigen surrounding your blood cells. Most people are Rh positive, however, for those who are Rh negative receiving Rh positive blood will cause you to reject it and produce antibodies to attack the D antigen.
Leukocytes
Leukocytes, or more commonly known as white blood cells, are the body's defense mechanism against viruses and bacteria. There are various types of leukocytes, some will produce antibodies to attack antigens, some will devour the invaders, and some will simply flag the antigens and alert other leukocytes to attack it.
Platelets
Platelets are our smallest blood cell, with no nucleus. We have hundreds of thousands of them for every microliter of blood. Without them we would eventually bleed out from a small cut. Once we start bleeding, platelets bind to the wound causing it to clot and block more blood from escaping.
Hemoglobin
A protein found in our erythrocytes that actually give them the reddish hue. Hemoglobin's job is to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide to their destinations creating energy and removing the waste product carbon dioxide.
Blood Factors
Constantly circulating in the blood stream blood factors such as fibrinogen, prothrombin, and thromboplastin, are what help clot the blood after the wall of a blood vessel has been breached. Thus stopping the bleeding and saving the person.
Serum
The liquid that separates during a blood clot. Helps fight against infection and illness.