BSC 2086 Exam 2 18

What are the primary functions of blood?

To carry oxygen, nutrients, hormones, transport waste to elimination sites, maintain body temperature, normal pH, fluid volume, and prevent infection.

What percentage of whole blood is formed elements?

~45%

What is the hematocrit value range for RBCs?

37-52%

What is the composition of blood plasma?

~55% plasma, which includes proteins, solutes, and water.

What are the three major protein categories found in blood plasma?

Albumins, globulins, and fibrinogen.

What is the role of albumins in blood plasma?

Transport of solutes, buffering plasma pH, and contributing to viscosity and osmotic pressure.

What is the function of fibrinogen?

It is a soluble precursor of fibrin, which forms the framework of a blood clot.

What is viscosity in the context of blood?

The resistance of blood to flow, influenced by the cohesion of particles.

What is osmolarity?

The total concentration of solute particles in blood, affecting blood pressure.

What is hypoproteinemia?

A deficiency of plasma proteins, leading to fluid loss from blood to tissues.

What is hematopoiesis?

The production of blood, especially its formed elements.

What are hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs)?

Multipotent stem cells in bone marrow that give rise to all formed elements of blood.

What is the average lifespan of an erythrocyte (RBC)?

About 120 days.

What hormone stimulates the formation of RBCs?

Erythropoietin (EPO).

What is the significance of iron in erythropoiesis?

Iron is essential for hemoglobin synthesis and is required for RBC production.

What is the process of erythropoiesis?

The formation of RBCs from hematopoietic stem cells, involving several stages of development.

What is the role of carbonic anhydrase in RBCs?

It produces carbonic acid from CO2 and water, important for gas transport and pH balance.

What are the two main types of leukocytes?

Granulocytes and agranulocytes.

What is leukopoiesis?

The formation of white blood cells (WBCs).

What are neutrophils and their function?

A type of granulocyte that acts as a phagocyte and increases in number during bacterial infections.

What is the function of lymphocytes?

They destroy cancerous, foreign, and virally infected cells and coordinate immune responses.

What is hemostasis?

The process of blood clotting, involving vessel constriction and platelet sealing.

What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic clotting pathways?

Intrinsic occurs with vessel damage; extrinsic occurs with tissue damage and skips several steps.

What is hemophilia?

A genetic defect where certain clotting factors are missing, leading to abnormal bleeding.

What is the role of vitamin K in blood clotting?

It is required by the liver to form clotting factors.

What is the purpose of a Complete Blood Count (CBC)?

To measure various components of blood, including RBC count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit.

What is the significance of prothrombin time (PT)?

It measures how long it takes for blood to clot, monitoring effectiveness of blood-thinning medications.

What determines a person's blood type?

The proteins found on the outer membrane of RBCs (A, B, Rh factor).

What is RhoGAM?

An antiserum used for passive immunization of Rh- mothers with Rh+ fetuses.

What is the average hematocrit value for men?

42% to 52%.

What is the average hemoglobin concentration for women?

12 to 16 g/dL.

What is the significance of the erythrocyte life history?

It describes the stages of RBC development, including production, maturation, and lifespan.

What happens to RBCs during hemolysis?

RBC proteins deteriorate, and they rupture in narrow channels of the spleen and liver.

What is polycythemia?

An excess of RBCs that can slow blood flow and increase the risk of clots.

What is the role of platelets in hemostasis?

They are involved in blood clotting by sealing breaks in blood vessels.

What is the function of macrophages in the circulatory system?

They digest pathogens and debris, transforming from monocytes.