Exam 3: Blood Composition Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering basic blood statistics, cell types, the hemostasis process, blood typing, and phlebotomy disorders based on lecture notes.

Average Blood Volume

The body contains typically $5-6\text{ liters}$ of blood.

Artery Blood Color

Bright red blood.

Vein Blood Color

Dark blood.

Plasma (Volume Percentage)

A clear, straw-like liquid that makes up $55\%$ of total blood volume.

Plasma (Composition)

Consists of $91\%$ water and $9\%$ dissolved substances including proteins, gases, hormones, and nutrients.

Formed Elements

Solid components making up $45\%$ of total blood volume, consisting of RBCs, WBCs, and Platelets.

Erythrocytes

Medical term for Red Blood Cells, which have a biconcave shape, a life span of $120\text{ days}$, and function to carry oxygen through the body.

Leukocytes

Medical term for White Blood Cells, which have a life span from days to years and function to fight infections and aid in immunity.

Neutrophils

$40-60\%$ of all WBCs; they act as phagocytes (Pacman cells) that engulf and destroy bacterial infections.

Lymphocytes

$20-40\%$ of all WBCs; they aid in immunity and fight viral infections.

Monocytes

$3-8\%$ of all WBCs; they can transform into macrophages and phagocytes to engulf and destroy threats.

Eosinophils

$1-3\%$ of all WBCs; they respond to basic allergies, skin irritations, and parasites.

Basophils

$0-1\%$ of all WBCs; they carry histamines to fight severe allergic reactions.

Thrombocytes

Medical term for Platelets, which have a life span of $9-12\text{ days}$ and aid in clotting and controlling bleeding.

Hemostasis (Phase 1): Vascular Phase

The phase where blood vessels constrict to control the flow of blood.

Hemostasis (Phase 2): Platelet Phase

The formation of a temporary platelet plug.

Hemostasis (Phase 3): Coagulation Phase

The process of swapping a temporary plug for a more stable fibrin clot, also known as a hemostatic plug.

Hemostasis (Phase 4): Fibrinolysis Phase

The breakdown and removal of the clot; the entire hemostasis process takes $10-15\text{ mins}$.

Universal Donor

Blood type $O-$.

Universal Recipient

Blood type $AB+$.

Hemolysis

The breakdown of red blood cells.

Hemoconcentration

An abnormally high concentration of blood, often caused by prolonged tourniquet use longer than $60\text{ seconds}$.

Hematoma

A bruise; the pooling of blood under the skin.

Petechiae

Tiny spots of bleeding under the skin.

SST

Serum Separator Tube; once spun, it yields serum.

PST

Plasma Separator Tube; once spun, it yields plasma with a middle layer called a buffy coat.

Buffy Coat

A white layer in centrifuged blood primarily composed of WBCs and platelets.

Serum

The liquid portion of blood from a specimen without anticoagulant; it does not include fibrinogen.

Plasma (Centrifugation)

The liquid portion of blood from a specimen with anticoagulant; it includes fibrinogen.