BIOL 133 Lab 1

Hematocrit

The percentage of red blood cells in the total blood volume.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Leukocytes

White blood cells that protect the body against infections and disease.

Platelets

Cell fragments that play a crucial role in blood clotting.

Blood Plasma

The fluid matrix of blood, making up about 55% of blood volume, containing water, proteins, electrolytes, nutrients, and waste products.

Anemia

A condition characterized by a reduced oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, usually due to a deficiency of hemoglobin.

Polycythemia

A condition characterized by an increase in red blood cell count, which may be due to factors like living at high altitudes or certain diseases.

Blood Typing

A process using immunological tests to determine an individual's blood type to ensure safe blood transfusions.

Agglutination

The clumping of cells, which can occur when antibodies bind to their specific antigens.

Rh factor

A specific blood group antigen that can cause complications such as erythroblastosis fetalis in Rh-negative mothers carrying Rh-positive babies.

Leukocytosis

A condition where the white blood cell count exceeds 11,000 per mm3, indicating possible infection or other medical conditions.

Leukopenia

A condition characterized by a significantly lower white blood cell count, reducing the body's ability to fight infections.

Differential White Blood Cell Count

A test that determines the percentage and types of white blood cells present in the blood.

Transfusion Reaction

An immune response that occurs when the blood of a donor does not match the blood type of the recipient.

Antigens

Molecules on the surface of cells that determine blood type and can provoke an immune response.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by the immune system that bind to specific antigens, leading to the destruction of foreign cells.

Erythroblastosis Fetalis

A condition where a Rh-negative mother develops antibodies against Rh-positive fetal blood cells, causing hemolytic disease in the newborn.

White Blood Cell count (calculation)

number of cells counted x dilution factor

volume of blood counted