Cardiovascular System: Blood

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the cardiovascular system and blood as outlined in the lecture notes.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.

Leukocytes

White blood cells that defend against pathogens and are a key part of the immune system.

Platelets

Cell fragments that play a crucial role in blood clotting and prevention of blood loss.

Plasma

The fluid portion of blood that contains water, proteins, and other solutes.

Hematocrit

The percentage of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells.

Blood Doping

A method used to enhance athletic performance by increasing red blood cell count.

Colloid Osmotic Pressure (COP)

The osmotic pressure exerted by plasma proteins to prevent fluid loss from the blood.

Erythropoiesis

The process of producing red blood cells in the bone marrow.

Hemostasis

The process of stopping bleeding, involving vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and coagulation.

Antigens

Molecules on the surface of red blood cells that determine blood types and can trigger an immune response.

Rh Factor

A surface antigen that determines whether blood type is positive or negative.

Fibrin

An insoluble protein formed from fibrinogen during coagulation that helps to form a blood clot.

Oxygenated Blood

Blood rich in oxygen, usually bright red in color.

Deoxygenated Blood

Blood that has released its oxygen and is typically darker in color.

Differential Count

A measure of the number of each type of white blood cell present, used in clinical diagnosis.

Coagulation Cascade

The series of events that lead to blood clot formation following an injury.

Chemotaxis

The movement of leukocytes towards an area of infection in response to chemical signals.

Diapedesis

The process by which leukocytes move out of the bloodstream and into tissues.

Phagocytosis

The process by which cells, especially leukocytes, engulf and digest pathogens.

Thrombopoiesis

The process of producing platelets from megakaryocytes in the bone marrow.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

A hormone produced mainly by the kidneys that stimulates the formation of red blood cells.

Anemia

A condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood.

Blood Types

Categories (A, B, AB, O) defined by the presence or absence of specific antigens on red blood cells.

Hemoglobin

The protein in red blood cells that binds to oxygen and carbon dioxide, facilitating gas exchange.

What are the 3 main functions of blood

Transportation, regulation, protection.

what does blood transport

Oxygen, nutrients, waste products, hormones, and heat.

how does blood regulate the body

regulate body temperature, pH levels, and fluid volume, ensuring homeostasis.

How does blood protect the body

Prevents blood loss by clotting. and defends against pathogens

Why are red blood cells not complete cells

because they lack a nucleus and organelles.

What is the pH of blood

7.35-7.45, slightly alkaline

What temp is blood

usually a degree warmer than the body

What is the viscosity of blood

It is thicker than water due to its cellular components and proteins.

what are the characteristics of blood

Volume, viscosity, color, pH, Plasma concentration, Temperature

Three layers of blood after centrifugation

plasma, buffy coat, and packed erythrocytes.

what % of blood is plasma

55%

what % of blood is packed RBCs

45%

what makes the buffy coat and what is it %

consists of white blood cells and platelets, making up about 1% of total blood volume.

What is hematocrit

the percentage of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells.

what is hemotocrit clinically important

indicates anemia, dehydration, or polycythemia

what is the main component of plasma

water, 90-92%

what % of plasma protein is in plasma

7%

Describe albumin

Maintains and excerts osmotic pressure to maintain blood volume and pressure; make up 52% of plasma proteins, are the smallest; transports hormones, lipids, etc, also helps blood viscosity

Describe globulins

Plasma proteins that make up 38% of total plasma proteins, play a role in immune responses, transport proteins, and include antibodies.

what are the 3 different gammas globulins

Alpha, beta, and gamma globulins

what do alpha and beta globulins do

They transport lipids and fat-soluble vitamins.

what is the difference b/w alpha and beta globulins

Alpha globulins are smaller, primarily transport lipids and fat-soluble vitamins, while beta globulins are bigger and involved in transporting iron and various proteins.

what to gamma globulins do

responsible for immune response, acting as antibodies to help fight infections.

what is fibrinogen

plasma protein that is converted into fibrin during the blood coagulation process, playing a crucial role in clot formation; makes up 4% of plasma proteins

what are regulatory proteins

Proteins that control various functions in blood, including enzyme activity and immune responses.

other solutes in blood

include electrolytes, nutrients, waste products, and gases that support bodily functions.

common electrolytes in plasma

sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, bicarbonate, and phosphate,

function of sodium(Na+)

osmotic balance, nerve and muscle function

Function of calcium (Ca2+)

muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and blood clotting.

what is the function of bicarbonate (HCO3-)

pH buffering

what nutrients are found in plasma

glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, lipids, vitamins

where are most plasma proteins produced

in the liver

what is colloid osmotic pressure

pressure excerted by plasma proteins that pull water into blood vessels

where does hematopoiesis occur

red bone marrow

what is a stem cell

unspecialized cell that can divide and differentiate

what is a hemocytoblast

blood forming stem cell

difference between myeloid and lyphoid stem cells

Myloid makes: RBCs, platelets, granulocytes, monocytes

Lymphoid makes: lymphocytes- B cells, T cells, Nk cells

what is erythropoiesis

production of red blood cells

what is leukopoiesis

production of white blood cells

what is thrombopoiesis

production of platelets

RBC structure

biconcave disc, anucleated, flexible membrane

why is biconcave shape important

It increases surface area for gas exchange

what is hemoglobin

O2 binding protein in RBC

what is the structure of hemoglobin

4 globin chains, each having a heme group

function of heme

binds O2 via iron (Fe2+)

how long do RBCs live

120, removed by spleen to be destroyed by spleen and liver

what triggers erythropoietin (EPO)

Low oxygen levels in blood

what is erythropoietin

A hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates the production of red blood cells

what happens to hemoglobin components

iron is recycled, heme becomes bilirubin

what is polycythemia

excess RBC, increases blood viscosity

what is anemia

reduced O2 carrying capacity in blood

types of anemia described

iron deficiency, aplastic, hemolytic anemia, and sickle cell

what determines blood types

antigens on RBC membranes

ABO blood types

a, B, AB, O

what is Rh factor

presence of (+)or absense (-) of D antigen

universal donar

O-

universal recipient

AB+

define antigen

triggers immune response

define antibody

protein that binds to antigens

what is agglutination

the clumping of blood cells in response to the interaction between antigens and antibodies.

what is Rh incompatibility in pregnancy and why is it dangerous

Rh- mom carries Rh+ fetus where the maternal antibodies attack fetal RBCs

function of WBC

defend the body against infection and foreign invaders

where to WBC do most of their work

in tissues

What are the classes of leukocytes

Granulocytes and agranulocytes

what are granulocytes

visible granules in their cytoplasm, includes neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils

what are agranulocytes

leukocytes without visible granules, includes lymphocytes and monocytes.

order pf WBC abundance

Neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils

What is diapedesis

WBCs squeeze through capillary walls

what is chemotaxis

the movement of WBCs towards sites of infection or injury in response to chemical signals.

what are neutrophils

phagocytize bacteria

what are eosinophils

parasite defense and allergy control

what are basophils

in allergic reactions and inflammatory responses, releasing histamine and heparin.

what are lymphocytes

attacks abnormal cells, adaptive immunity (B & T cells)

what are monocytes

Phagocytize pathogens, cell debris, and dead cells

what is leukocytosis

elevated WBC count

what is leukopenia

decreased WBC count, often indicates infection or disease.