BLOOD
Description:
A fluid tissue that transports either oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body or carbon dioxide the other way around. Blood is composed of the liquid plasma, which contains glucose, and blood cells. There are three types of cells: Red blood cells carry oxygen, white blood cells fight infectious invaders and platelets aid in clotting. They move through the arteries and veins.
Diseases and Conditions
Hematoma
Blood gathers within body tissues and is caused by internal bleeding or hemorrhages.
Anemia
The lack of red blood cells in the blood. It can be Hemolytic, or when large numbers of cells burst in hemolysis or can be caused by the genetic condition Sickle cell disease, where many cells are deformed. Anemia can make it difficult to breathe due to the lack of oxygenated blood.
Leukemia
Blood cancer caused by abnormal white cell production. They take over red blood cells and because the cells do not create normal white blood cells, they make it easier to receive infections.
Hemophilia
Genetic disease where not enough blood clotting occurs due to the lack of proteins available, leading to excessive bleeding. Type A is caused by the lack of factor VIII, Type A is the lack of factor IX, and Type C is the lack of factor XI.
Lymphoma
Blood cancer involving the abnormal growth of white blood cells within the lymph. It is either Hodgkin or Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Malaria
A parasite called Plasmodium carried by mosquitoes infect red blood cells and release more parasites until the cells burst.
Myeloma
Blood cancer of plasma cells, leading to high calcium levels in the blood.