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Related Concept Videos

Composition of Blood01:22

Composition of Blood

The blood in our bodies comprises three major components: blood plasma, formed elements, and the extracellular matrix. Blood plasma is a yellowish fluid that constitutes 55% of the total blood volume. It is primarily made up of water and essential substances such as electrolytes and proteins. Blood plasma serves as a medium for transporting blood cells and also contains nutrients, enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and gases.
Formed elements constitute the remaining 45% of the blood volume. These...
Volume of Distribution01:20

Volume of Distribution

The apparent volume of distribution (Vd) is a crucial pharmacokinetic parameter representing the hypothetical body fluid volume into which a drug disperses. It is calculated based on the total amount of drug in the body (estimated from the administered dose and bioavailability) divided by the plasma drug concentration. The total amount of drug in the body does not directly refer to the dose given but is derived by accounting for absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion processes.
Lifecycle of Erythrocytes01:22

Lifecycle of Erythrocytes

Erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells, constantly move through blood capillaries. As a result, they damage their plasma membrane due to the continuous friction. Typically, after 100 to 120 days, erythrocytes become rigid and fragile as they wear out. As they pass through small vessels in the spleen and liver, they can get trapped and break apart into fragments.
The resident phagocytic macrophages deal with these damaged cells by engulfing them and separating their globin and heme groups.
Structure and Function of Erythrocytes01:29

Structure and Function of Erythrocytes

There are between 4.2 and 6 million erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells, in every microliter of blood. These cells are small, flattened biconcave discs with centers that are depressed.
The erythrocyte plasma membrane is associated with proteins such as spectrin, which forms a flexible cytoplasmic meshwork. This meshwork allows erythrocytes to twist, turn, become cup-shaped, and regain their biconcave shape as they pass through narrow capillaries. Additionally, erythrocytes can form...
Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis01:24

Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis

The cardiovascular system regulates the number of erythrocytes in the bloodstream to ensure optimal oxygen transport. It also prevents over-proliferation of these cells, which helps to maintain blood viscosity and flow rate.
Several factors influence the erythrocyte production rate, with tissue oxygen level being among the most critical. Intense exercise or high altitudes can cause tissue hypoxia, which triggers the kidneys to release more erythropoietin (EPO) into the bloodstream.
EPO then...
Drug Distribution: Volume of Distribution01:25

Drug Distribution: Volume of Distribution

The volume of distribution refers to the theoretical volume necessary to contain the entire amount of an administered drug at the same concentration observed in the blood plasma. The body's intracellular fluid compartment, which makes up two-thirds of the total body water, is contrasted with the extracellular fluid compartment—comprising plasma and interstitial fluid—that accounts for one-third. The volume of distribution can vary depending on the characteristics of the drug.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes
08:45

Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes

Published on: May 10, 2022

RED CELL AND PLASMA VOLUMES (CIRCULATING AND TOTAL) AS DETERMINED BY RADIO IRON AND BY DYE.

P F Hahn1, J F Ross, W F Bale

  • 1Departments of Pathology and Radiology, The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Hydrodynamics reveals errors in calculating blood volume using venous hematocrit. Actual erythrocyte volume is lower, with distinct rapidly circulating plasma and cell-free plasma fractions impacting total blood volume assessments.

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Quantification of Cellular Densities and Antigenic Properties using Magnetic Levitation

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Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Hemodynamics
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Traditional methods for calculating blood volume and cell volume from venous hematocrit and plasma volume are potentially inaccurate.
  • Hydrodynamic principles suggest discrepancies in these standard calculations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the accuracy of blood volume and cell volume calculations using standard methods.
  • To explore the distribution of erythrocytes and plasma within the vascular system.
  • To introduce and define concepts of rapidly circulating blood and plasma volumes.

Main Methods:

  • Application of hydrodynamic principles to blood flow and volume.
  • Determination of total cell volume using viviperfusion and radioactive iron-tagged erythrocytes.
  • Analysis of hematocrit and cell-plasma ratios across different vessel sizes.

Main Results:

  • Calculations based on venous hematocrit and dye-determined plasma volume are subject to significant error.
  • Viviperfusion and radioactive iron studies show erythrocyte volume is 70-75% of calculated values.
  • Average vascular system hematocrit is lower than large vessel hematocrit; cell-plasma ratio decreases in smaller vessels.
  • Rapidly circulating blood volume is less than total blood volume; rapidly circulating plasma volume is ~80% of total plasma volume.
  • Peripheral, cell-free plasma films constitute ~20% of total plasma volume.

Conclusions:

  • Standard methods for blood volume estimation are unreliable due to hydrodynamic factors.
  • Distinct plasma volume fractions exist, including cell-free plasma in peripheral films.
  • Accurate assessment of blood flow and volume requires consideration of these hydrodynamic and distributional factors.