Blood Anatomy and Physiology Vocabulary

Flashcards on Blood Anatomy and Physiology

Blood

Connective tissue with cellular elements (formed elements - WBC, RBC, platelets), and extracellular matrix (plasma)

Blood Function: Transportation

Nutrient, waste, gas, hormone transportation

Blood Function: Regulation

Maintain body temp, pH (buffers), fluid volume in circulatory system

Blood Function: Protection

Prevents blood loss (clotting), prevents infection (antibodies, WBCs)

Erythrocytes (RBCs)

Carry oxygen.

Leukocytes (WBCs)

Defense system

Thrombocytes (platelets)

Clotting

Hematocrit

% blood volume that is RBCs

Blood Plasma

Liquid extracellular matrix of blood

Blood Plasma Composition

~90% water

Albumin

Functions as carrier of other molecules, as blood buffer, and contributes to plasma osmotic pressure

Globulins

Transport iron, lipids, fat soluble vitamins (ADEK)

Fibrinogen

Blood clotting role

Erythrocytes Function

Gas transport

Hemoglobin

Binds reversibly with oxygen

Heme group

Red pigment that binds oxygen; iron is needed to bind oxygen

Hematopoiesis

Formation of blood cells

Hematopoietic stem cells (hemocytoblasts)

Stem cell that gives rise to all formed elements

Erythropoiesis

Process of formation of RBCs that takes about 15 days

Erythropoietin (EPO)

Hormone that stimulates formation of RBCs

Anemia

Blood has low O2 carrying capacity

Polycythemia

Abnormal excess of RBCs leading to increased blood viscosity

Leukocytes Function

Defense against disease

Granulocytes

Contain visible cytoplasmic granules

Agranulocytes

Do not contain visible cytoplasmic granules

Neutrophils

Phagocytes- bacteria slayers

Eosinophils

Granules contain digestive enzymes- digest parasitic worms; Role in allergies, asthma, etc

Basophils

Granules contain histamine- inflammatory chemical that acts as a vasodilator and attracts WBCs

T lymphocytes

Act against virus infected and cancer cells

B lymphocytes

Give rise to plasma cells creating antibodies

Leukemia

Cancer involving overproduction of abnormal leukocytes

Leukopenia

Too few leukocytes

Platelets (aka thrombocytes)

Fragment of cytoplasm of megakaryocyte surrounded by plasma membrane; Function in blood clotting

Hemostasis

Sealing of a ruptured blood vessels to prevent blood loss

Vascular Spasms (vasoconstriction)

Immediate response to vessel damage, constricts blood flow to area

Platelet Plug Formation

Stick to collagen fibers that are exposed when vessel is damaged

Coagulation

Formation of a blood clot; Blood transforms to a gel

Thrombus

Clot that develops and persists in unbroken blood vessel

Embolus

Thrombus freely floating in bloodstream

Transfusion Reactions

Mismatched blood leads to agglutination (clotting) and ruptured RBCs