Blood Clotting

• Serum + blood clot gel

– Fibrin traps formed elements
• Coagulation
• Thrombosis
• Embolus
 Blood Clotting
• Chemicals involved:
– Ca2+
– Inactive enzymes
– Molecules from platelets
– Molecules from damaged tissues
• Requires Vitamin K and Ca2+
– Uncontrolled bleeding
 Blood Clotting

1. Formation of
prothrombinase
– Via 2 pathways
2. Conversion of
prothrombin into thrombin
by prothrombinase
3. Conversion of fibrinogen
into fibrin by thrombin
Prothrombinase
Formation
• TF =
thromboplastin
(lipoproteins +
phospholipids)
• Clotting factor X =
thrombokinase
• Factor V =
proaccelerin
• Factor XII =
Hagemen factor
Thrombin Formation
Fibrin Formation

• Factor XIII =
fibrin-
stabilizing
factor
• (also in
plasma +
platelets)
 Positive Feedback of Thrombin

• Accelerates prothrombinase formation (clotting

factor V)
• Activates platelets = reinforces aggregation
 Clot Retraction

• “Shrinking” of a blood clot

• Platelets pull on fibrin threads = contract vessel
• Permanent repair of the blood vessel
– Fibroblasts form CT in ruptured area
– New endothelial cells repair vessel lining
– Fibrinolytic mechanisms break down clot
• Quick assigned reading
• Read “Homeostatic Control Mechanisms”
page 679-680
 Blood Topics

1. Functions and Properties of Blood

2. Components of Blood
3. Blood Cell Formation
4. Red Blood Cells
5. White Blood Cells
6. Platelets
7. Hemostasis
8. Blood Groups and Blood Transfusion
 Blood Groups

• The ABO blood types and Rh system are

based on antigen-antibody responses
– 24 blood groups
– 100 antigens
 Blood Groups

• “Self-antigens” are located on RBC plasma

membranes
• Blood grouping based on presence/absence of self-
antigens
Blood Groups
 ABO Cross Matching

Donor
A B AB O
A    
Recipient

B    
AB    
O    
 Rh Group

• Rh+ = expression of Rh antigen

• Rh- = no expression of Rh antigen

• Most people are Rh+

• Most people do not have Anti-Rh antibodies.
• If an Rh- person is exposed to Rh+ blood, they will
produce Anti-Rh antibodies.
 Donations

• Universal donor = O-
• Universal receiver = AB+

• These terms are dangerous!

• Cross-matching
 Blood Transfusion

• Principles of Transfusion
• Hemolysis occurs if recipient’s
blood plasma antibodies
interact with donor’s antigens
Hemolytic Disease
of the Newborn
 Key Terms

• Agglutinins =
antibodies
• Agglutinogens =
antigens
• Incompatibility
between them =
aggluntination
 Review Questions
1. What are the functions of the cardiovascular
system?
 Rapidly transports nutrients, respiratory gases,
regulatory substances, waste products, and cells
within the body.
2. What are the main components of the
cardiovascular system?
 Blood, Heart, Blood Vessels
3. What are the main components of blood?
 Plasma – mostly water
 Formed elements – RBCs, WBCs, platelets
 Review Questions
4. Where are blood cells manufactured?
 Red bone marrow
5. Name three kinds of hemopoietic growth
factors.
 Erythopoietin (EPO)
 Thrombopoietin
 Cytokines
6. What are the main functions of a RBC?
 Transport oxygen bound to hemoglobin
 Review Questions
7. What is erythropoiesis?
 Formation of RBC from pluripotent stem cells 
myeloid stem cells
8. Which parts of hemoglobin are recycled and
reused?
 Amino acids  protein synthesis
 Iron (Fe3+)  stored / used for new RBC formation
9. Which WBCs are agranular?
 Lymphocytes and monocytes
10. Which WBC is normally the most prevalent?
 Neutrophils
 Review Questions
11. List three platelet functions
 Form platelet plug
 Promote vascular spasm
 Promote blood clotting (cascade)
12. What are the three steps of hemostasis?
 Vascular spasm
 Platelet plug formation
 Blood clotting
 Review Questions
13. What are the three main steps of blood
clotting?
 Formation of prothrombinase
 Conversion of prothrombin into thrombin by
prothrombinase
 Conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin by thrombin
14. Which antigen(s) and antibody(s) are found in
type A blood?
 Antigen  A
 Antibody  anti-B