Blood System and Acid-Base Balance Lecture Notes

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the components of blood, fluid compartments, plasma proteins, hematology, and the principles of acid-base balance.

Circulatory System

A body system consisting of the cardiovascular system and the lymphatic system, responsible for transportation, regulation, and protection.

Total body water (TBW)

The total amount of water in the body, accounting for $60\%$ of body mass; in an average $70\,kg$ person, this equals $42\,L$.

60-40-20 rule

A rule stating that $60\%$ of body weight is total body water, $40\%$ is Intracellular Fluid (ICF), and $20\%$ is Extracellular Fluid (ECF).

Serum osmolality

The measure of the concentration of particles in serum, normally ranging from $275-295\,mOsm/kg\,H_2O$.

Plasma

A straw-colored liquid consisting of water and dissolved solutes, where $Na^+$ is the major solute in terms of concentration.

Buffy coat

A thin, light-colored layer at the interface between packed red blood cells and plasma in centrifuged blood, containing white blood cells and platelets.

Colloid osmotic pressure

The primary force preventing excessive loss of plasma from capillaries into interstitial fluid, established by the presence of plasma proteins.

Albumins

The most abundant plasma proteins ($60\%$) which contribute most extensively to colloid osmotic pressure and transport poorly soluble substances like bilirubin and penicillin.

Globulins

Plasma proteins consisting of alpha ($\alpha$), beta ($\beta$), and gamma ($\gamma$) subclasses; they function in transport, blood clotting, and immunity as antibodies.

Fibrinogen

A plasma protein ($4\%$) that serves as a key factor in blood clotting by converting into insoluble threads of fibrin.

Serum

The fluid remaining from clotted blood which does not contain fibrinogen but is otherwise identical to plasma.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells; biconcave discs without nuclei that contain hemoglobin and transport oxygen and carbon dioxide, surviving for $100-120$ days.

Leukocytes

White blood cells; including granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils) and agranulocytes (monocytes, lymphocytes), which aid in defense against infections.

Platelet (thrombocyte)

Cytoplasmic fragments present at $130,000$ to $400,000/mm^3$ that enable clotting and release serotonin for vasoconstriction.

Erythropoietin

A hormone secreted by the kidneys in response to reduced $O_2$-carrying capacity that stimulates erythropoiesis in red bone marrow.

Hemoglobin

An iron-containing pigment consisting of four folded polypeptide chains (globin) and four heme groups; it is reddish when oxygenated and bluish when deoxygenated.

Hematocrit

The percentage of total blood volume occupied by erythrocytes, normally around $45\%$. It increases in polycythemia and dehydration.

Universal Donor

Type O blood, because its red blood cells lack A and B antigens and will not be agglutinated by a recipient's antibodies.

Universal Recipient

Type AB blood, because these individuals lack anti-A and anti-B antibodies in their plasma.

pH Formula

The mathematical expression for hydrogen ion concentration: $pH = \log\left(\frac{1}{[H^+]}\right)$, where a high $[H^+]$ corresponds to a low pH.

Strong Acid

An acid, such as $HCl$, that completely dissociates into free $H^+$ and anions in solution.

Acidosis

A condition where the blood pH falls below the normal range ($7.35-7.45$); a pH below $6.8$ is generally considered incompatible with life.

Alkalosis

A condition where the blood pH rises above the normal range; a pH above $8.0$ is generally considered incompatible with life.

Bicarbonate Buffer System

The primary Extracellular Fluid (ECF) buffer against noncarbonic acid changes, involving $H_2CO_3$ and $HCO_3^-$.

Respiratory Acidosis

A fall in blood pH caused by increased $CO_2$ retention due to hypoventilation.

Metabolic Alkalosis

A rise in blood pH produced by the loss of nonvolatile acids (e.g., excessive vomiting) or excessive accumulation of bicarbonate base.