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blood substitute

(Encyclopedia)blood substitute, substance that mimics the function of blood. Blood substitutes typically concentrate only on reproducing the function of hemoglobin, the molecule that carries oxygen through the body...

blood test

(Encyclopedia)blood test, examination of blood routinely or as an aid in diagnosing a suspected disease. Tests may be performed on whole blood or on the plasma portion only. Blood typing identifies the proteins at ...

blood transfusion

(Encyclopedia)blood transfusion, transfer of blood from one person to another, or from one animal to another of the same species. Transfusions are performed to replace a substantial loss of blood and as supportive ...

blood type

(Encyclopedia)blood type: see blood groups.

high blood pressure

(Encyclopedia)high blood pressure: see hypertension. ...

red blood cell

(Encyclopedia)red blood cell: see blood.

white blood cell

(Encyclopedia)white blood cell: see blood.

Rh factor

(Encyclopedia)Rh factor, protein substance present in the red blood cells of most people, capable of inducing intense antigenic reactions. The Rh, or rhesus, factor was discovered in 1940 by K. Landsteiner and A. S...

apheresis

(Encyclopedia)apheresis hēˌməfĕrˈəsĭs [key], any procedure in which blood is drawn from a donor or patient and a component (platelets, plasma, or white blood cells) is separated out, the remaining blood comp...

blue baby

(Encyclopedia)blue baby, infant born with a congenital heart defect that causes a bluish coloration of the skin as a result of cyanosis (deoxygenated blood). The color is most noticeable around the lips and at the ...