Name five things that blood transports through the body. Consider the consequences to the body (positive or negative) if these things are absent from the blood. Choose two of the items you listed and discuss what would happen if they were absent from the blood.
Your discussion must be at least 250 words in length, detailing your thoughts and position using 2 references from the readings for support. Also be sure to pose 1-2 well thought out questions from which your colleagues can formulate a response or generate further discussion. Be sure to cite any references using APA format.
Blood carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, enzymes, and also glucose, amino acids, fats, cholesterol, phospholipids, vitamins, minerals, etc. throughout the body (OpenStax, 2018).
Oxygen
Oxygen is transported throughout the body by binding to hemoglobin molecules in red blood cells in the blood. Hemoglobin is a large molecule made of protein and iron with a red pigment molecule called heme, which contains Fe 2+ (OpenStax, 2018). This heme is what makes the blood look red. One hemoglobin molecule binds to four oxygen molecules, supplying oxygen to cells throughout the brain and body. When hemoglobin takes up oxygen in the lungs, the oxygen-rich blood is bright red; conversely, oxygen-depleted blood, after releasing oxygen, is dark red (OpenStax, 2018). If oxygen is absent from the blood, it increases pulse/respiratory rate decreases ability to concentrate, and decreases muscle strength, headache, and nausea, in mild cases (Jewell, 2017). In moderate cases, it impairs judgment, abnormal fatigue, loss of memory, loss of pain sensation, general weakness, and faintness of consciousness appear; in severe cases, it can cause hallucinations, unconsciousness, coma, core neuropathy, respiratory arrest, paralysis, and cardiac arrest (Jewell, 2017). However, oxygen toxicity can occur when the amount of oxygen entering the body exceeds our bodies' ability to process it. In the early stages of oxygen toxicity, pulmonary interstitial edema develops, and as the toxicity becomes more severe, pulmonary function declines. Symptoms of oxygen toxicity include bronchitis-like symptoms, including chest pain and coughing when breathing (Dworkin & Pinto-Garcia, 2022).
Glucose
In humans, glucose is an essential source of energy. When carbohydrates in meals are digested and absorbed and become glucose, they enter the blood and are transported throughout the body. The glucose concentration in the blood is represented by the blood sugar level, and the value changes before and after meals. Hypoglycemia is when the blood sugar level drops more than necessary, and when the blood sugar level drops, the action of the sympathetic nerve-stimulating hormone, which tries to raise the blood sugar level, causes tremors and palpitations, and it also leads to unconsciousness or coma from lack of energy in the brain (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). On the other hand, hyperglycemia is a condition in which the blood sugar level remains high and does not go down, which damages the blood vessels and causes arteriosclerosis, which can lead to the onset of diabetes and heart disease.
Question
Have you ever been deficient in any of these essential substances? Why did you notice that? What were your symptoms?
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/low-blood-sugar.html#:~:text=Blood%20sugar%20levels%20change%20often,people%20with%20type%201%20diabetes.
Dworkin, R. W., & Pinto-Garcia, P. (2022). What causes oxygen toxicity? GoodRx. Retrieved from https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/anesthesia/oxygen-toxicity
Jewell, T. (2017). Anoxia: Symptoms, causes, treatment, and more. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/anoxia
OpenStax. (2018). Anatomy & physiology. Houston, TX: Rice University. Retrieved from https://cnx.org/contents/FPtK1zmh@12.6:fEI3C8Ot@16/Preface.
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