Healthy red blood cell counts average about 45% of packed red blood cells. In this lesson students will learn how to prepare samples and measure blood volumes to calculate hematocrit values for 3 patient samples. 

To further their medical knowledge they will explore the causation and treatment for abnormal hematocrit values and extend this thinking to a current day issue of the use of erythropoietin by athletes. This lesson builds on their knowledge of red blood cells (erythrocytes) and provides more hands on examples of how they can create a demonstration model for an upcoming school/community blood drive.

55 Minutes

Grade Levels

• 10
• 11
• 12

Standards

Next Generation Science Standards (1) Show Standards

• CC.SF.C Complex and microscopic structures and systems can be visualized, modeled, and used to describe how their function depends on the relationships among its parts, therefore complex natural structures/systems can be analyzed to determine how they function.

California's 2013 CTE Standards (3) Show Standards

• CTE.HSMT.A.1.1 Use data to explain how biotechnology fields such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, diagnostics, industrial products, instrumentation, and research and development are impacting human life.
• CTE.HSMT.B.2.3 Recognize common disease and disorders of the human body.
• CTE.HSMT.B.3.1 Apply mathematical computations related to health care procedures (metric and household, conversions and measurements).

Related Instructional Objectives (SWBAT...)

• Students will demonstrate their understanding of hematocrit values by accurately analyzing patient samples.
• Students will problem solve how hematocrits would be affected as a result of doping- such as seen by Olympic athletes.