Final answer:
Factors influencing the blood-to-additive ratio include conditions affecting erythropoiesis, liver function, ATP production, Na+/K+-ATPase activity, pH levels, and changes in blood flow. These changes can alter blood viscosity and the properties of erythrocytes, affecting the blood's composition and physiology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Changes in the blood-to-additive ratio can be influenced by various factors that affect the composition and properties of blood. Conditions that affect erythropoiesis, such as polycythemia or anemia, can lead to changes in blood viscosity and thereby alter the blood-to-additive ratio. Additionally, liver function influences the levels of plasma proteins, and any liver abnormalities can also result in altered viscosity. Factors including ATP production, Na+/K+-ATPase activity, intracellular [Na+], and the pH level of blood also play significant roles in affecting the properties of erythrocytes and overall blood characteristics.
The Bohr effect, which refers to the relationship between pH and oxygen's affinity for hemoglobin, illustrates how changes in pH can impact the oxygen-hemoglobin saturation/dissociation curve. Moreover, the chloride shift, which involves the exchange of bicarbonate and chloride ions in erythrocytes, can reflect changes in blood plasma composition and influence the ratio. Lastly, conditions leading to altered blood flow, such as changes in blood vessel radius and subsequent effects on blood pressure, can also affect the ratio and necessitate physiological compensations.