B3.2 Blood system (HL)

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture notes on the blood system and its integration with other body systems.

Circulatory System

The system that functions to move materials around the body, carrying essential materials to cells and removing wastes.

Blood

The fluid medium in which materials are transported throughout the circulatory system.

Vessels

The network of 'pipes' through which blood is moved in the circulatory system.

Heart

A muscular 'pump' that drives the movement of blood through the circulatory system.

Plasma

The fluid component of blood responsible for transporting materials, including electrolytes and proteins.

Buffy Coat

The component of blood that contains leukocytes (white blood cells) to fight infection.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen in the bloodstream.

Hydrostatic Pressure

The pressure exerted by a fluid due to gravity; higher at the arteriole end of capillaries compared to the venous end.

Filtration

The process by which fluid is forced out of capillaries due to hydrostatic pressure.

Reabsorption

The process by which fluid is taken back into capillaries after filtration, influenced by oncotic pressure.

Lymphatic System

A system that drains excess tissue fluid into lymph ducts to prevent fluid build-up in tissues.

Anucleate

Describes red blood cells that lack a nucleus to maximize their capacity for oxygen transport.

Haemoglobin

A conjugated protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen for transport.

Cooperative Binding

The phenomenon where the binding of one oxygen molecule to haemoglobin increases the affinity for additional oxygen molecules.

Oxygen Dissociation Curve

A graph that represents the relationship between oxygen levels and haemoglobin saturation.

Bohr Shift

The effect of carbon dioxide on oxygen dissociation from haemoglobin, promoting oxygen unloading in respiring tissues.

Carbonic Acid

An acid formed when carbon dioxide dissolves in water, leading to dissociation into hydrogen ions and bicarbonate.

Ionic Exchange

The process by which bicarbonate exchanged for chloride ions in red blood cells regulates pH.

Foetal Haemoglobin

A type of haemoglobin produced by the fetus that has a higher affinity for oxygen compared to adult haemoglobin.