Functions and Composition of Blood and Red Blood Cells

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to the functions and composition of blood, focusing on red blood cells, blood diseases, and blood typing systems.

Plasma

The liquid fraction of whole blood, containing water, proteins, nutrients, and other solutes.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Hematocrit

The percentage of whole blood that is composed of red blood cells.

Hemoglobin (Hb)

A protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen and carbon dioxide.

ABO system

A blood typing system based on the presence of Type A and Type B antigens on red blood cells.

Rh factor

An antigen that can be present (Rh-positive) or absent (Rh-negative) on the surface of red blood cells.

Leukocytes

White blood cells that are part of the immune system.

Thrombocytes

Platelets, which are small cell fragments important in blood clotting.

Polycythemia

A condition characterized by an increased number of red blood cells.

Anemia

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

Normocytes

Red blood cells of normal size.

Microcytic

Describing red blood cells that are smaller than normal.

Macrocytic

Describing red blood cells that are larger than normal.

Normochromic

Red blood cells with a normal concentration of hemoglobin.

Hypochromic

Red blood cells that have less than normal hemoglobin content.

Hyperchromic

Red blood cells that have more than normal hemoglobin content.

Phagocytosis

The process by which certain cells engulf and digest foreign particles.

Leukopenia

Abnormally low white blood cell count.

Leukocytosis

Abnormally high white blood cell count.

Myeloid tissue

Bone marrow tissue that produces red and white blood cells and platelets.

Aplastic anemia

Anemia caused by destruction of bone marrow leading to low red blood cell counts.

Hemolytic anemia

Anemia resulting from the destruction of red blood cells.

Sickle Cell Anemia

A genetic disorder causing abnormal hemoglobin, leading to distorted red blood cells.

Thalassemia

A group of inherited blood disorders featuring decreased hemoglobin production.

Erythroblastosis fetalis

A condition where maternal antibodies attack fetal red blood cells.

Vitamin K

A vitamin necessary for the synthesis of certain clotting factors.

Thrombocytopenia

Low platelet count, leading to increased bleeding risk.

Hemophilia

An inherited disorder characterized by a deficiency of clotting factors.

Fibrin

A protein that forms a mesh to trap blood cells and form a clot.

Prothrombin

A precursor to thrombin, involved in the clotting process.

Differential WBC count

A lab test that measures the percentages of different types of white blood cells.

Serum

The liquid remaining after blood clots, devoid of clotting factors.

Centrifuged blood sample

Blood that has been separated into its components using a centrifuge.