Annotated Bibliography

Larissa Roy

“56 Facts About Blood.” America’s Blood Centers: It’s about Life. 28 Mar. 2007. < do="Page.View&pid="12">

A quick reference to the average passerby or writer on the go about blood and the merits of blood donation, this site is run by America’s Blood Centers. Though perhaps not as widely known as the American Red Cross, it seeks to answer similar questions and dissipate worries of the potential donor. This site is possibly not as scholastic but the facts here correspond overall with the other sources. It does have new information such as particular statistics not found in the other entries. Simple statistics and numbers were gleaned herein. Bauman, Robert. Microbiology: with Disease by Taxonomy. 2nd ed. New York: Pearson Education, Inc., 2007. The author is currently at Amarillo College after numerous years of study. This book is written in a very straightforward manner with the data well presented and complete with useful diagrams and tables. There is a decided slant toward the medical field though ecological aspects are certainly explored. Looking into the microbiological world with species upon species of bacteria requires background knowledge of how the immune system works before one can rightfully understand how it is thwarted, going into heavy detail (including particulars concerning blood’s vital role and the antibodies and leukocytes therein) compared to sites with only a basic reference. The book is geared to those with some, but not extensive, background in biology. Cable, Ritchard et. al.

“Practice Guidelines for Blood Transfusion: A Compilation from Recent Peer-Reviewed Literature.” The American National Red Cross. May 2002. 27 Mar. 2007. < http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/profess/pgbtscreen.pdf >

The American Red Cross has its own high reputation in disaster relief and procuring blood donations for the ever-empty stores. This article, geared to those with some significant medical background (with plenty of jargon), developed by the American Red Cross is undertaken by several doctors from varying regions and used here primarily as a reference to what can go wrong in a blood transfusion. While other resources touched on what problems can occur within the immune system, the subject of blood and tissue rejection was not extensively noted; the complications that can result from a transfusion are numerous enough to be considered on their own, particularly by those who manage donation and transfusions. This site does not touch on how these conditions occur from a step by step prospective, as is detailed in resources discussing the immune system, but instead on the possibilities, symptoms, and possible causes before moving to the manner in which to prevent and cure such to ensure acceptance of the donated tissue. Campbell, Neil A. and Jane B Reece. Biology. 7th ed. New York: Pearson Education, Inc., 2005. A general study of biology from the University of California and Berkeley, respectively, and otherwise more than qualified authors. A wonderful overall reference filled with terminology and enough information to point the reader in the right direction if it cannot fully solve the question. This text is geared to college students and a little dryer than other textbooks. While it does not focus specifically on blood such as other sources, its importance is highlighted in a few chapters.

“Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: Emotional Factors.” Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. June 2002. 29 Mar. 2007. < url="/media/pdf/emotional.pdf">

This foundation has been around since 1967 and searches for a cure through research and to further better those who already suffer either one of these inflammatory diseases. The online file of this printed brochure addresses some of the emotional factors in dealing with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis by educating those who suffer from these, personally or by being a family member of, and thereby easing the emotional burden of blame and guilt. These questions can be easily applied to many more diseases and coping with similar ordeals as a whole, touching on the emotional impact of being in a hospital. This source is unique on this list because it does not deal as much with physical aspects as emotional whereas the rest lie mostly in the realm of science.

Cutler, Corey. “CBC.” Medline Plus: Medical Encyclopedia. 11 Sept. 2006. United States National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. 27 Mar. 2007. <>

This site was recommended by my microbiology professor (BIOL 323, Dr. Thompson) and states that it is a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. The article defines and describes CBC (or complete blood count) and sets averages on the number of specific cells that can be converted to microliters (closer to units of one drop of blood, though numbers will still vary because “one drop” is a subjective measurement). It is geared toward those who may know the basics but are looking for some specifics, breaking down what numbers such as elevated red blood cells could mean. Anyone who is undergoing this test could look it up here to better understand its importance and what the test actually does. This site has several links to pictures of the mentioned elements, all clearly labeled, unlike other mentioned sources. Harms, Roger.

“Rh factor in pregnancy: When is it a problem?” Ask a Pregnancy Specialist. 15 May 2005. Mayo Clinic. 25 Mar. 2007. <>The Mayo Clinic is a widely respected teaching facility and hospital. Their website is targeted for individuals without a particularly strong background in the inner workings of the human body but who clearly wish to understand specific ordeals and diseases of someone he or she may know. The particular question addressed is one of many possibilities of complications surrounding pregnancy but it explains the problem and how to solve it whereas the other sources do not mention much about the Rhesus (Rh) factor other than its existence. Still, this is an important element to consider within blood donation and blood typing and, though it seems to come up most in the context of pregnancy, worth touching on.

“The Immune System.” NIAID Net News. 25 Sept. 2003. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. 29 Mar. 2007. <>

The site proves a good quick reference on antigens and the production of antibodies and without lugging out a cumbersome textbook when only the basics are necessary. The website itself is not as impressive as the others listed though its aim is to understand the immune system in how it relates to allergies. The audience intended is very general. This site was mostly used for its information on antibodies and antigens, as these are most pertinent. Roach, Mary. Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers. New York: W. W. Norton Company, Inc., 2003. Looking at cadavers is often labeled as morbid but these shells find uses all the same, from the Body Farm at the University of Tennessee Medical Center (where decomposition is studied) to how much force a corpse can withstand in simulated traffic incidents (testing first how much force it takes to break bones before the crash test dummies can be calibrated). The author has been featured in several magazines and has done her research well, visiting several locations where cadavers are commonplace. This book, geared toward any curious reader, touches on modern cadaver research and its history. It further deals with the science of death and, perhaps more importantly, how different people deal with working with these cadavers and death as a whole in a surprisingly funny (and yet not disrespectful) manner. Unlike the other entries, this book is a nonfiction bestseller meant to be read for enjoyment as well as education succeeding to be both entertaining and fascinating.

“What are Blood Types?” Learn. Genetics. University of Utah. 29 Mar. 2007. <>

This site provides a nice overview of the genetic look behind blood typing for those who have some to little biology background. This entry, geared toward students, has a straightforward explanation of how blood types are inherited in Mendelian genetics as the result of two genes. The unmentioned authors cover their bases well. Campbell and Reece’s Biology touches on this under the section on genetics but deals more with Mendel’s theories mentioning blood as an example rather than a focus.