Purchase Solution

A description of rare and normal blood types.

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

Our blood is made up of plasma (water, nutrients, gases, wastes, hormones and proteins), white blood cells (leukocytes) for immunity, platlets (cell fragments to form blood clots when we are cut) and red blood cells (erythrocytes). Red blood cells make our blood red because they contain hemoglobin which exchange gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide between the tissue and the lungs. Hemoglobin contains iron which gives us the red colour. Your car rusts because it contains iron and rust is brown. It is the same reason your blood turns brown after it is dry because it too "rusts" or oxidizes. The reason for different blood types is due to antigens, ABO groups, and the Rh factor.

Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

A description of rare and normal blood types are examined.

Solution Preview

Our blood is made up of plasma (water, nutrients, gases, wastes, hormones and proteins), white blood cells (leukocytes) for immunity, platlets (cell fragments to form blood clots when we are cut) and red blood cells (erythrocytes). Red blood cells make our blood red because they contain hemoglobin which exchange gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide between the tissue and the lungs. Hemoglobin contains iron which gives us the red colour. Your car rusts because it contains iron and rust is brown. It is the same reason your blood turns brown after it is dry because it too "rusts" or oxidizes. The reason for different blood types is due to antigens, ABO groups, and the Rh factor.

Red blood cells have a surface membrane that separates the inside from the outside. On the red blood cell membrane are proteins called antigens. They act as a sort of "flag" to indicate that they are on your side. If they had a different flag our immune system, or army, would destroy the cell with weapons (antibodies) thinking it was ...

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
Infant Development: Sleep

How much do you know about infant sleep? Test your knowledge with this quiz.

Hemophilia: Fact or Fiction

Do you know the truth about hemophilia? Test your knowledge here.

Breastfeeding Basics

How much do you know about breastfeeding? Find out with this quiz!

Breast Milk and Breastfeeding

How much do you know about breast milk and breastfeeding? Double check your knowledge level with this quiz!

BIOLOGY

Basics in biology