Blood Components and Formed Elements

Flashcards covering the classification, numerical counts, structural traits, and functional roles of blood plasma, erythrocytes, platelets, megakaryocytes, granulocytes, and agranulocytes from the lecture notes.

Formed Elements

The cellular components of blood, consisting of red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells.

Plasma

The liquid portion of blood that, together with formed elements, makes up whole blood.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells containing hemoglobin that carry oxygen, characterized by an anucleate condition, a biconcave shape, and a concentration of 5,000,000/uL.

Hemoglobin

The protein within red blood cells responsible for binding and transporting oxygen.

Anucleate

Lacking a cell nucleus, a structural feature characteristic of mature red blood cells.

Thrombocytes

Platelets; small cell fragments involved in hemostasis and clotting, present at a concentration of 300,000/uL.

Hemostasis

The physiological process of stopping blood loss, carried out by platelets and clotting mechanisms.

Megakaryocyte

A bone marrow cell containing multiple copies of DNA that forms pseudopodia and proplatelets, eventually fragmenting into 1000-1500 platelets.

Granulocytes

A category of white blood cells containing visible cytoplasmic granules, comprising neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

Agranulocytes

A category of white blood cells lacking visible cytoplasmic granules, comprising lymphocytes and monocytes.

Neutrophils

Granulocytes accounting for 60% of white blood cells, characterized by pale granules, multilobed nuclei (polymorphonuclear leukocytes), and a function as bacteria killers.

Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

Another term for neutrophils, describing their characteristically multilobed nuclei.

Eosinophils

Granulocytes accounting for 3% of white blood cells, featuring orange-ish granules and bilobed nuclei, which function against parasitic worms and in allergies.

Basophils

Granulocytes accounting for 1% of white blood cells, featuring purple granules and bilobed nuclei, which mediate inflammation by releasing histamine and heparin.

Histamine and Heparin

Chemical secretions released by basophils to promote inflammation and prevent blood clotting.

Lymphocytes

Agranulocytes accounting for 30% of white blood cells, featuring a round purple nucleus and no granules, categorized into antibody-producing B cells and immune-controlling T cells.

B Lymphocytes

A type of lymphocyte (B cells) responsible for producing antibodies.

T Lymphocytes

A type of lymphocyte (T cells) that controls the immune system and kills infected cells.

Monocytes

Large agranulocytes accounting for 6% of white blood cells, characterized by an indented or C-shaped nucleus and no granules, which differentiate into macrophages.

Macrophages

Large immune cells that monocytes differentiate into to perform phagocytic functions.

Percentage WBC Formula

The formula used to calculate the relative percentage of a specific white blood cell type: $\left( \frac{\text{WBC of interest}}{\text{Sum of all WBCs}} \right) \times 100$.