Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Leukocytes
Leukocytes (WBCs) - leave the blood and migrate
to the tissues where they become functional and
perform various activities related to immunity
Composition of Plasma
Plasma – an aqueous solution, pH 7.4, containing
substances of low or high molecular weight
Table 1. Composition of Blood Plasma
Plasma Component Functions
(Percentage of Plasma)
Water (~92% of plasma) Is the solvent in which formed elements are
suspended and proteins and solutes are
dissolved
Plasma proteins (~7% of All proteins serve to buffer against pH
plasma) changes
Albumin (~58% of plasma Exerts osmotic force to retain fluid within
proteins) the microvasculature
Contributes to blood’s viscosity
Binds and transports some fatty acids,
electrolytes, hormones, and drugs
Globulins (~37% of plasma α-Globulins transport lipids and some metal
proteins) ions
β-Globulins transport iron ions and lipids in
bloodstream
γ-Globulins are antibodies with various
immune functions
Fibrinogen (~4% of plasma Participates in blood coagulation (clotting);
proteins) precursor of fibrin
Regulatory proteins (>1% Consists of enzymes,
of plasma proteins) proenzymes, hormones, and
the complement system
Other Solutes (~1% of Blood Plasma)
Electrolytes (eg, sodium, Help establish and maintain membrane
potassium, calcium, chloride, potentials, maintain pH balance, and regulate
iron, bicarbonate, and osmosis (control of the percentages of water
hydrogen) and salt in the blood)
Nutrients (eg, amino acids, Energy source; precursor for
glucose, cholesterol, vitamins, synthesizing other molecules
fatty acids)
Respiratory gases (eg, oxygen: > Oxygen is needed for aerobic
2% dissolved in plasma, 98% cellular respiration; carbon
bound to hemoglobin within dioxide is a waste product
erythrocytes; and carbon dioxide: produced by cells during this
~7% dissolved in plasma, ~27% process
bound to hemoglobin within
erythrocytes, ~66% converted to
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