Circulatory System Concepts and Blood Typing

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to the circulatory system, blood types, and hemostasis.

Blood

Fluid connective tissue responsible for transport of various substances throughout the body; composed of cells and plasma.

Viscosity

Inherent resistance of a fluid to flowing; increased by the number of dissolved solutes.

Globulins

Various dissolved plasma proteins, largely responsible for immune responses.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells that transport oxygen; contain no nucleus and few organelles.

Hemoglobin

Iron-containing protein responsible for transporting oxygen; consists of 2 alpha and 2 beta chains in adults.

Erythroblast

Red blood cell stem cell that matures into erythrocytes, producing hemoglobin.

Erythrocyte Recycling

Process of recycling red blood cells in the spleen, where they are digested and recycled.

Primary Polycythemia

Excess blood cells due to blood-producing cancer; increases blood volume, blood pressure, and risk of stroke.

Antigen (agglutinogen)

Any substance recognized by the immune system; for blood cells, refers to ABO/Rh surface markers.

Agglutination

Formation of a 'clot' where active antibodies and antigens stick together.

Plasma

Fluid ground matrix of blood, primarily composed of salt water and high protein content.

Albumin

Primary plasma protein contributing to viscosity and maintaining blood osmolarity.

Fibrinogen

Inactive form of fibrin, activated during hemostasis to form blood clots.

Carbonic anhydrase

Enzyme that catalyzes the reaction of water and CO2 into carbonic acid; plays a role in blood pH regulation.

Hematopoiesis

Process of blood cell production influenced by factors like hormone erythropoietin (EPO) and various vitamins.

Reticulocyte

Final precursor to erythrocyte; experiences nuclear degradation before maturing.

Anemia

Low blood cell count caused by low erythropoiesis or cell loss; results in hypoxia and low blood pressure.

Secondary Polycythemia

Extra blood cells usually associated with good factors like exercise or altitude but can be harmful if due to dehydration.

Antibody (agglutinin)

Antibodies found in blood that recognize antigens and lead to agglutination.

Leukocyte

White blood cells, including neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, T and B lymphocytes, and monocytes.

Neutrophil

Type of granulocyte that helps combat bacterial infections by consuming bacteria.

Eosinophil

Type of granulocyte that fights parasitic infections and regulates allergic responses.

Basophil

Type of granulocyte that aids in immune response by releasing histamine and heparin.

Monocyte

Aggressive agranulocyte precursor that becomes a macrophage upon activation.

Lymphocyte

Agranulocyte essential for immune function; includes B cells and T cells.

Leukopoiesis

Process of growth and production of white blood cells in the bone marrow.

Platelet (thrombocyte)

Cell fragment involved in hemostasis and clot formation.

Hemophilia

Condition where clotting factors fail to activate properly, leading to excessive bleeding.

Tunica interna

Thin inner layer of blood vessels composed of simple squamous endothelial cells.

Tunica externa

Thick outer layer of blood vessels that helps anchor them in place.

Arteriole

Small, high-pressure vessels that carry blood from arteries to capillaries.

Capillary (fenestrated)

Endothelial cells with large openings, allowing rapid exchange of substances.

Venule

Small, low-pressure vessels transporting blood from capillaries to veins.

Hemostasis

Process where damaged blood vessels respond to prevent blood loss.

Embolism/Thrombosis

Free-floating clot that can block smaller vessels and lead to infarction.

Blood Pressure

Pressure exerted by blood on vessel walls, determined by heartbeats and blood volume.

Systolic Pressure

Pressure generated during ventricular contraction.

Diastolic Pressure

Pressure during ventricular filling, reflecting heart's relaxation.

Pulse pressure

Difference between systolic and diastolic pressure, indicating heart's force.

Mean arterial pressure (MAP)

Average pressure within arteries; calculated as diastolic pressure plus one-third of pulse pressure.

Hypertension

Prolonged elevated blood pressure above 140/90 at rest.

Hypotension

Prolonged low blood pressure, often from blood volume issues.

Baroreflex

Body's response to high or low blood pressure detected by baroreceptors in arteries.

Chemoreflex

System that adjusts respiration based on blood gas levels and can influence blood pressure.

Medullary Ischemic Reflex

Reflex that increases blood pressure in response to low brain perfusion.

Angiotensin

Hormone that leads to widespread vasoconstriction and increased thirst.

Aldosterone

Hormone that promotes Na+ and H₂O reabsorption in kidneys, increasing blood volume.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)

Hormone that facilitates Na+ loss, lowering blood volume.

Epinephrine and NE

Hormones that cause vasoconstriction and localized vasodilation in specific organs.

Hydrostatic pressure

Pressure exerted by blood within capillaries that drives filtration.

Osmotic pressure

Pressure that helps reabsorb fluids from tissues into capillaries.

Edema

Fluid accumulation in tissues when filtration exceeds reabsorption.

Lymphatic system

Collection system for fluids that routes fluids back into the circulatory system.

Blood flow formula

Flow is affected by pressure and resistance; described as F ∝ AP/R.

Peripheral resistance factors

Blood viscosity, vessel length, and especially vessel radius that impact blood flow.

Vascular spasm

Immediate response to vessel damage involving localized constriction.

Platelet plug formation

Process where platelets stick to vessel walls leading to clotting.

Intrinsic pathway

Coagulation pathway activated by damaged endothelial cells.

Extrinsic pathway

Coagulation pathway activated by tissue factor from damaged cells.

Fibrinolysis

Process where fibrin fibers are broken down to restore normal blood flow.

Anemia symptoms

Low blood counts that result in hypoxia, low blood pressure, and edema.

Autoimmune disorders

Conditions where the immune system recognizes self-antigens as foreign.

Hemoglobin function

Transport oxygen in the bloodstream and assist in carbon dioxide transport.

Platelet activation

Triggered by damage that leads to aggregation and clot formation.

Clotting cascade

Series of reactions that convert fibrinogen into fibrin during hemostasis.

Anti-Rh antibodies

Antibodies produced by Rh- individuals when exposed to Rh+ blood.

Hemolytic disease of the newborn

Condition arising when an Rh- mother produces antibodies against an Rh+ fetus.