Scientific Facts About Blood
This universal blood donor type lacks A and B antigens.
O-negative
This blood disease, characterized by low haemoglobin or red blood cells, often leads to fatigue and weakness.
anemia
Blood has this slightly basic pH range, essential for maintaining cellular function. What is it?
7.35 to 7.45
The heart's right side pumps blood to this organ, where it receives oxygen before returning to the left side to be pumped to the rest of the body.
lungs
This condition occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, causing damage to the heart muscle.
myocardial infarction
This protein in red blood cells can bind up to four oxygen molecules, allowing efficient oxygen transport throughout the body.
hemoglobin
This genetic disorder affects blood clotting and can lead to excessive bleeding, even from minor injuries.
hemophilia
Blood is about this many times thicker than water, which helps slow its flow in capillaries for nutrient exchange. How many times?
three to four times
This early after conception, the human heart begins beating, continuing throughout a lifetime. When?
four weeks
This condition, involving irregular heartbeats, can range from harmless to life-threatening.
arrhythmia
These blood cells, also known as leukocytes, defend the body against infections and foreign invaders.
white blood cells
This type of cancer originates in the bone marrow and causes an overproduction of abnormal white blood cells.
leukemia
Blood is made up of three main types of cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and these.
platelets
The familiar "lub-dub" sound of the heartbeat is caused by these heart structures closing as blood flows through.
heart valves
This condition, known as the "silent killer" (because it can develop without noticeable symptoms), puts an extra strain on the heart and can lead to heart failure or stroke.
hypertension
This liquid component of blood, which makes up about 55% of blood volume, is primarily composed of water.
plasma
This genetic condition causes red blood cells to become sickle-shaped, leading to blocked blood flow and pain.
sickle cell disease
The average adult has about this many litres of blood, roughly 7-8% of their total body weight. How many litres?
five litres
In the womb, a developing baby’s heart beats at this rate.
Roughly double that of an adult heart: 120 to 160 beats per minute
Known as this, the hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to plaque can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
atherosclerosis
This soft tissue inside bones is the primary site for producing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
bone marrow
This life-threatening condition occurs when a bacterial infection enters the bloodstream, spreading rapidly throughout the body.
sepsis
Red blood cells circulate in the body for about this many days before being recycled by the spleen.
120 days
This small structure in the heart, located between the right atrium and right ventricle, prevents blood from flowing backwards into the atrium during ventricular contraction.
tricuspid valve
This condition occurs when stress or emotional trauma causes the heart to temporarily enlarge and weaken, mimicking a heart attack.
broken heart syndrome
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy