Physiology and Function - Essay Example

Physiology and Function Table of Contents Human Blood 3 References 5 Human Blood Hemoglobin: Hemoglobin is a vital human blood protein. It is foundin the red blood cells of the human body. Its primary function is to be the carrier of oxygen coming from the lungs, to the rest of the human body. Where hemoglobin levels are low, a person is expected to have sickle cell disease or anemia (Childrens Hospital and Health System, 2012). Anemia: Anemia is a health condition related to the blood. This is the condition of not having red blood cells in sufficient quantities, and so depriving the blood system and the body with the oxygen it needs, given that red blood cells are responsible for oxygen transport.

This condition is tied to deficiencies in the production of red blood cells in its key factory, the bone marrow, and can be caused by a number of factors, including kidney disease in chronic form, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis, even as some forms of anemia, such as sickle cell anemia, can be passed on from parent to offspring (ADAM, 2012). Basophils: Basophils are a type of white blood cells in the human body (Childrens Hospital and Health System, 2012). As a white blood cell type, its function basically revolves around protection of the body from infections and diseases.

This is done via basophils eating up invading pathogens. Their cytoplasmic contents include grain-like substances, and basophils in general have a dark purple to black hue in Wright stains (MedFriendly, n.d.). Eosinophils: Eosinophils are likewise a type of white blood cells in the human body (Childrens Hospital and Health System, 2012). It is also disease and infection fighting. While they are beneficial in attacking foreign bodies, they can cause disease in large amounts, including asthma, and parasitic diseases (MedicineNet, 2012).

Erythrocytes: Erythrocyte is another term for red blood cells, and in general, as already discussed above, erythrocyte are involved in oxygen transport throughout the body, emanating from the lungs. They also are the carriers for carbon dioxide. (Childrens Hospital and Health System, 2012). Normal erythrocytes are biconcave, yellow in color, and has in it the hemoglobin oxygen carriers. Abnormal types include basophilic and hypochromic erythrocytes, the latter a condition where red blood cell counts are lower than normal, healthy values (Saunders, 2007).

ReferencesADAM (2012). Anemia. PubMed Health. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001586/ Childrens Hospital and Health System (2012). Overview of Blood and Blood Components. Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin. Retrieved from http://www.chw.org/display/PPF/DocID/21846/router.asp MedFriendly (n.d.). Basophil. MedFriendly.com. Retrieved from http://www.medfriendly.com/basophil.html MedicineNet (2012). Definition of Eosinophil. MedicineNet.com. Retrieved from http://www.medterms.

com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=3268 Saunders (2007). erythrocyte. Medical Dictionary. Retrieved from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/erythrocyte