Cardiovascular & Blood Exam Study Guide

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the cardiovascular system and blood, crucial for understanding material for the exam.

Erythropoiesis

The term that describes red blood cell formation.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

The hormone that stimulates the process of erythropoiesis.

Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)

Formed element with a biconcave shape that increases surface area for gas exchange.

Basophils

The least abundant white blood cell in a blood sample, comprising less than 1% of WBCs.

Lymphocytes

White blood cells responsible for specific immunity; includes T cells and B cells.

Platelets (Thrombocytes)

Fragments of large cells that play a key role in blood clotting.

Hemostasis

The process of blood clot formation, including vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and coagulation.

Antigen

A surface protein on red blood cells that determines blood type.

Antibody

A plasma protein that reacts with foreign antigens.

Agglutination

The clumping of red blood cells due to antigen-antibody reactions, typically during mismatched transfusions.

Capillary Density

The factor in a tissue that influences how many capillaries are present, depending on metabolic activity.

Diapedesis

The movement of white blood cells out of capillaries into surrounding tissues.

Frank-Starling Law of the Heart

The principle stating that the greater the stretch of cardiac muscle, the greater the force of contraction.

Vascular Spasms

Spasms of a blood vessel wall triggered by injury or chemicals released by platelets.

Systole

The contraction phase of the cardiac cycle.

Diastole

The relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle.

Baroreceptor

Receptors that detect increased pressure and lead to a reduction in heart rate and blood pressure.

ECG Recording

A recording that represents electrical activity of the heart, shown through waves like P wave, QRS complex, and T wave.

Pulmonary Circuit

The pathway in which blood travels from the right ventricle to the lungs and back to the left atrium.

Systemic Circuit

The pathway in which blood travels from the left ventricle to the body and back to the right atrium.

Blood as Tissue

Blood is classified as connective tissue due to its liquid matrix (plasma).