Functions and Composition of Blood

Flashcards covering the functions, components, disorders, and typing systems of human blood based on the lecture transcript.

Average heart stroke output

The heart pumps $75\,ml$ of blood with each contraction.

Average total blood circulation

The heart pumps roughly $5,250\,ml$ per minute, calculated as ($75\,ml/beat$ $\times$ $70\,beats/minute$).

Blood pH

Regulated by buffers in the blood to stay at a constant $7.4$.

Formed elements

Cells and cell fragments (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) produced in the red bone marrow.

Plasma

The liquid portion of blood consisting of $91\%$ water and $9\%$ salts and organic molecules.

Albumins

The most abundant plasma proteins that contribute to osmotic pressure and transport molecules in the blood.

Globulins

Plasma proteins where some transport substances and others, known as gamma globulins, fight pathogens.

Fibrinogen

An inactive plasma protein that, when activated, forms blood clots.

Hemoglobin (Hb)

A pigment protein in red blood cells that binds up to four oxygens at its heme portion and also binds carbon monoxide ($CO$).

Oxyhemoglobin

The term for hemoglobin when it is bound to oxygen.

Deoxyhemoglobin

The term for hemoglobin after oxygen leaves the protein in the tissues.

Carbaminohemoglobin

Hemoglobin bound to carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), which accounts for $23\%$ of carbon dioxide transport.

Bicarbonate ion ($H_2CO_3^-$)

The form in which $70\%$ of carbon dioxide is transported in the blood plasma.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

A hormone produced by the kidneys when oxygen levels are low to stimulate red blood cell production in the bone marrow.

Jaundice

The accumulation of heme in the blood causing yellow skin and eyes if the liver cannot excrete it.

Pernicious anemia

A condition caused by a lack of vitamin $B_{12}$, which is needed to make red blood cells.

Sickle-cell disease

A genetic disease where defective hemoglobin structure causes red blood cells to become sickle-shaped and prone to rupture.

Neutrophils

The most abundant white blood cells ($50\%$ to $70\%$) which act as first responders to bacterial infections and engulf pathogens via phagocytosis.

Eosinophils

White blood cells with a bilobed nucleus that function in parasitic infections and play a role in allergies.

Basophils

The rarest white blood cells which release histamine to dilate blood vessels and constrict breathing passages during allergic reactions.

Lymphocytes

White blood cells responsible for specific immunity, including B cells that produce antibodies and T cells that destroy cancer and virus-infected cells.

Monocytes

The largest white blood cells which develop into macrophages to phagocytize pathogens and debris.

Severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID)

An inherited disease in which lymphocytes do not develop.

Leukemia

A group of cancers in which abnormal white blood cells proliferate without control.

Infectious mononucleosis

An infection of lymphocytes caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), resulting in fatigue, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.

Platelets (thrombocytes)

Fragments of large cells called megakaryocytes that function in blood clotting; roughly $200$ billion are made per day.

Prothrombin activator

A clotting factor released by platelets and injured tissues that converts prothrombin to thrombin using calcium ions ($Ca^{2+}$).

Fibrin

An enzyme-activated protein that forms threads to provide a framework for a blood clot.

Plasmin

An enzyme that destroys the fibrin network to allow tissue cells to grow and repair a vessel after a clot is no longer needed.

Serum

The fluid that escapes from a clot, containing all plasma components except fibrinogen and prothrombin.

Thrombocytopenia

A disorder characterized by too few platelets, leading to excess bleeding.

Thromboembolism

A condition where a stationary clot (thrombus) travels (embolism) and plugs a blood vessel.

Hemophilia

A genetic deficiency of a clotting factor that results in an inability to form blood clots.

Antigen

A foreign substance, often a glycoprotein, that stimulates an immune response.

Agglutination

The clumping of red blood cells that occurs when recipient antibodies bind to antigens on donated red blood cells.

Universal donor

Type O blood, which has neither A nor B antigens.

Universal recipient

Type AB blood, which has neither anti-A nor anti-B antibodies.

Rh factor

A blood type antigen where its presence makes blood Rh positive ($+$) and its absence makes blood negative ($-$).