DAY 6
📅 Nov 15 (Fri)
🩸 Tissues & Blood
CN-1102: Body Tissues & Blood
- 4 Types of Tissues (Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, Nerve)
- Blood Composition (Plasma, RBC, WBC, Platelets)
- Functions of Blood Cells & Clinical Significance
🩸 REMEMBER: Hemoglobin carries O₂. Normal Hb = 12-16 g/dL (female), 14-18 g/dL (male)
🔍 KEY POINT: Neutrophils = bacterial infections, Eosinophils = allergies/parasites
⚠️ CLINICAL ALERT: Platelet count < 150,000 = Thrombocytopenia (bleeding risk). > 450,000 = Thrombocytosis (clotting risk)
⚡ EXAM FOCUS: Master the 4 tissue types, 5 WBC types with percentages, and normal blood values. These appear in 90% of anatomy exams!
1. THE FOUR BASIC TISSUE TYPES
🎯 MNEMONIC
"E C M N Every Classroom Must be Neat"
Epithelial · Connective · Muscle · Nerve
"E C M N Every Classroom Must be Neat"
Epithelial · Connective · Muscle · Nerve
🔴 EPITHELIAL TISSUE
Function: Covering, lining, glandular secretion
Types:
- Simple (single layer)
- Stratified (multiple layers)
- Glandular (forms glands)
Location: Skin, mucous membranes, inner organ linings
🟢 CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Function: Support, bind, protect, transport
Subtypes:
- Proper (areolar, adipose, dense)
- Supporting (cartilage, bone)
- Fluid (blood, lymph)
Location: Everywhere! Most abundant tissue
🔵 MUSCLE TISSUE
Function: Movement, contraction
Types:
- Skeletal (voluntary, striated)
- Cardiac (involuntary, heart)
- Smooth (involuntary, organs)
Location: Muscles, heart, blood vessels, intestines
🟡 NERVE TISSUE
Function: Communication, control, coordination
Cells:
- Neurons (conduct impulses)
- Neuroglia (support cells)
Location: Brain, spinal cord, nerves
2. BLOOD COMPOSITION & FUNCTIONS
🧪 TOTAL BLOOD VOLUME = 4-6 LITRES (8% of body weight)
💡 COMPOSITION MEMORY
"55 & 45"
Plasma = 55% | Formed Elements = 45%
"55 & 45"
Plasma = 55% | Formed Elements = 45%
💧 PLASMA (55%)
91% Water
9% Solutes:
- Proteins (albumin, globulin, fibrinogen)
- Electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl-)
- Nutrients (glucose, amino acids)
- Waste (urea, creatinine)
- Hormones
🩸 FORMED ELEMENTS (45%)
Three main components:
- Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)
- White Blood Cells (Leukocytes)
- Platelets (Thrombocytes)
3. RED BLOOD CELLS (RBCs)
🔴 NORMAL VALUES & FUNCTION
RBC Count: 4.5-5.5 million/μL (male), 4.0-5.0 million/μL (female)
Hemoglobin (Hb): 14-18 g/dL (male), 12-16 g/dL (female)
Hematocrit (Hct): 42-52% (male), 37-47% (female)
Structure:
- Biconcave disc shape (increases surface area)
- No nucleus (cannot divide)
- Contains hemoglobin (Hb)
- Lifespan: 120 days
Functions:
- Transport O₂ from lungs to tissues
- Transport CO₂ from tissues to lungs (70%)
- Buffer system (maintain pH)
⚠️ CLINICAL ALERT: Low Hb = ANEMIA. Causes: blood loss, poor diet, malaria (common in Uganda!), chronic disease. High Hb = POLYCYTHEMIA (dehydration, living at high altitude)
4. WHITE BLOOD CELLS (WBCs) - THE DEFENDERS
🎯 LEUKOCYTE MNEMONIC
"Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas"
Neutrophils > Lymphocytes > Monocytes > Eosinophils > Basophils
(Order of abundance in blood)
"Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas"
Neutrophils > Lymphocytes > Monocytes > Eosinophils > Basophils
(Order of abundance in blood)
⚪ NORMAL TOTAL WBC COUNT = 4,000 - 11,000/μL
1. NEUTROPHILS (50-70%)
Type: Granulocyte
Function: Phagocytosis of bacteria
Key Feature: Multi-lobed nucleus (3-5 lobes)
Clinical: ↑ in bacterial infections
2. LYMPHOCYTES (25-35%)
Type: Agranulocyte
Functions:
- T-cells: Cell-mediated immunity
- B-cells: Produce antibodies
Clinical: ↑ in viral infections
3. MONOCYTES (3-8%)
Type: Agranulocyte
Function: Phagocytosis & antigen presentation
Key Feature: Largest WBC, kidney-shaped nucleus
Clinical: ↑ in chronic infections
4. EOSINOPHILS (1-4%)
Type: Granulocyte
Function: Allergic reactions & parasite destruction
Key Feature: Red-orange granules
Clinical: ↑ in allergies, asthma, worm infestations
5. BASOPHILS (0.5-1%)
Type: Granulocyte
Function: Release histamine in allergic reactions
Key Feature: Least common, dark granules
Clinical: ↑ in hypersensitivity reactions
5. PLATELETS (THROMBOCYTES)
🔹 NORMAL COUNT = 150,000 - 450,000/μL
Platelet Count Critical Values:
< 50,000 = Dangerous bleeding risk
> 1,000,000 = High clot risk
< 50,000 = Dangerous bleeding risk
> 1,000,000 = High clot risk
Functions:
- Clot formation: Form plug to stop bleeding
- Vascular spasm: Vasoconstriction
- Coagulation: Release clotting factors
⚠️ EXAM TIP: Platelets are cell fragments in blood, NOT true cells! No nucleus.
6. BLOOD FUNCTIONS SUMMARY
🎯 BLOOD FUNCTIONS
"T R A N S P O R T"
T - Transport (O₂, CO₂, nutrients, hormones)
R - Regulation (pH, temperature, fluid balance)
A - Protection (clotting, WBCs fight infection)
N - Nutrient distribution
S - Security (immune defense)
P - pH balance
O - Osmotic pressure control
R - Remove waste
T - Temperature regulation
"T R A N S P O R T"
T - Transport (O₂, CO₂, nutrients, hormones)
R - Regulation (pH, temperature, fluid balance)
A - Protection (clotting, WBCs fight infection)
N - Nutrient distribution
S - Security (immune defense)
P - pH balance
O - Osmotic pressure control
R - Remove waste
T - Temperature regulation
"The life of a creature is in the blood." - Leviticus 17:11
📝 LIKELY EXAM QUESTIONS
FILL-IN-THE-BLANK (2 marks)
1. The four basic types of body tissues are __________, __________, __________, and __________.
1. The four basic types of body tissues are __________, __________, __________, and __________.
FILL-IN-THE-BLANK (2 marks)
2. Normal hemoglobin value for adult females is _______ g/dL, and for males is _______ g/dL.
2. Normal hemoglobin value for adult females is _______ g/dL, and for males is _______ g/dL.
MULTIPLE CHOICE (3 marks)
3. Which WBC is MOST abundant in blood and fights bacterial infections?
3. Which WBC is MOST abundant in blood and fights bacterial infections?
A) Lymphocytes
B) Eosinophils
C) Neutrophils ⭐CORRECT
D) Monocytes
B) Eosinophils
C) Neutrophils ⭐CORRECT
D) Monocytes
MULTIPLE CHOICE (2 marks)
4. Which of the following is NOT a function of blood?
4. Which of the following is NOT a function of blood?
A) Oxygen transport
B) Hormone production ⭐CORRECT ANSWER
C) Temperature regulation
D) Clot formation
B) Hormone production ⭐CORRECT ANSWER
C) Temperature regulation
D) Clot formation
SHORT ANSWER (5 marks)
5. Explain the difference between RBCs and WBCs in terms of structure, function, and normal count.
5. Explain the difference between RBCs and WBCs in terms of structure, function, and normal count.
Answer Guide: RBCs = no nucleus, transport O₂, 4-5.5 million/μL; WBCs = have nucleus, fight infection, 4,000-11,000/μL
SCENARIO (10 marks)
6. A 28-year-old woman comes to your clinic in rural Uganda with complaints of fatigue, dizziness, and pale conjunctiva. You suspect anemia.
6. A 28-year-old woman comes to your clinic in rural Uganda with complaints of fatigue, dizziness, and pale conjunctiva. You suspect anemia.
a) List 3 questions you would ask to assess her condition (3 marks)
b) What physical signs would you check? (2 marks)
c) Explain the role of hemoglobin in her condition (3 marks)
d) Name two common causes of anemia in Uganda (2 marks)
b) What physical signs would you check? (2 marks)
c) Explain the role of hemoglobin in her condition (3 marks)
d) Name two common causes of anemia in Uganda (2 marks)
MATCHING ITEMS (5 marks)
7. Match the WBC type with its function:
7. Match the WBC type with its function:
A. Neutrophils 1. Allergic reactions
B. Lymphocytes 2. Phagocytize bacteria
C. Eosinophils 3. Immune response
D. Monocytes 4. Chronic infection defense
E. Basophils 5. Histamine release
B. Lymphocytes 2. Phagocytize bacteria
C. Eosinophils 3. Immune response
D. Monocytes 4. Chronic infection defense
E. Basophils 5. Histamine release
Answers: A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4, E-5
🎯 STATISTICS: This topic appears in 85% of UHPAB Certificate Nursing exams! Master normal values and WBC differential counts!