Untitled Flashcards Set

Blood

Transports oxygen, waste, and hormones; regulates body temperature, pH, and fluid volume; prevents infection and blood loss.

Plasma

Fluid matrix of blood, consisting of 90% water and 10% dissolved substances.

Hematocrit

The percentage of red blood cells in the blood.

Albumin

A protein in blood plasma that regulates osmosis between blood and tissues.

Globins

Proteins that transport substances to fight infections.

Fibrinogen

A protein used in blood clotting.

Red Blood Cells (RBC)

Transport oxygen around the body via hemoglobin molecules.

White Blood Cells (WBC)

Less numerous than RBCs, involved in immune response; can leave the blood.

Diapedesis

The process by which white blood cells pass out of the blood.

Granulocytes

A type of WBC that includes neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils.

Agranulocytes

A type of WBC that includes lymphocytes (T-cells and B-cells) and monocytes.

Platelets

Cell fragments that help cut blood when a vessel is broken.

Hemocytoblast

A common stem cell from which all formed elements of blood are derived.

Erythropoietin

Hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells.

CSF (Colony Stimulating Factor)

Hormones that stimulate the production of white blood cells.

Thrombopoietin

Hormone that stimulates the production of platelets.

Agglutination

The clumping of blood cells when antibodies bind to antigens.

Antigen

A substance that blood recognizes as foreign.

ABO Blood Group

The blood group system that determines blood type (A, B, AB, O).

Rh Factor

An antigen that can cause immune reactions; anti-Rh antibodies are not produced immediately.

Fibrous pericardium

Outer covering of the heart that provides protection and anchors it in place.

Parietal Pericardium

The membrane that lubricates and reduces friction around the heart.

Visceral Pericardium

The membrane that lubricates and reduces friction on the heart's surface.

Epicardium

The outer layer of the heart wall.

Myocardium

The muscular middle layer of the heart wall responsible for contraction.

Endocardium

The inner layer of the heart wall.

Pulmonary Circuit

Carries blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen and drop off carbon dioxide.

Systemic Circuit

Carries blood to body tissues to deliver oxygen and pick up carbon dioxide.

Atria

The upper chambers of the heart (right atrium and left atrium).

Ventricles

The lower chambers of the heart (right ventricle and left ventricle).

Auricles

The coverings of the atria that increase the volume of the atria.

AV Valves

Valves between the atria and the ventricles (tricuspid and bicuspid).

Semilunar valves

Valves located between the ventricles and major blood vessels (pulmonary and aortic).

SA node

The cardiac pacemaker that initiates the heartbeat.

Diastole

The phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle relaxes.

Systole

The phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle contracts.

Cardiac Output

The amount of blood pumped by each ventricle per minute.

Stroke Volume

The amount of blood pumped out by a ventricle in a heartbeat.

Heart Rate

The number of times the heart beats per minute.

Thrombin

An enzyme that converts fibrinogen into fibrin during blood clotting.

Fibrin Mesh

A structural framework formed by fibrin fibers that helps in blood clotting.

Abnormal Clot

A clot that restricts blood flow, potentially causing stroke or heart attack.

WBC Lifespan

White blood cells can live from a few days to a few years.

RBC Lifespan

Red blood cells typically live 100-120 days.

Oxygen Transport

Oxygen is non-polar and cannot diffuse into the blood easily.

Contraction Phase

The phase of heartbeat where the ventricles contract to pump blood.

Ejection Phase

The part of the cardiac cycle where blood is ejected from the ventricles.

Lub-Dub Sound

The sounds made by the heart; 'lub' is the AV valves closing, and 'dub' is the semilunar valves closing.