Blood, Immunity and the Lymphatic System

Flashcards for review of blood, immunity and the lymphatic system.

Plasma

Liquid component of blood, makes up 55% of blood volume.

Formed elements

Cellular components of blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets; constitute 45% of blood volume.

Albumins

Most abundant plasma protein; maintains osmotic pressure, regulating water balance in the blood.

Globulins

Plasma proteins involved in transporting substances and immune response (e.g., gamma globulins).

Fibrinogen

Plasma protein that forms blood clots when activated during haemostasis.

Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells)

Biconcave shape, anucleate, contains hemoglobin to carry oxygen.

Hemoglobin (Hb)

Iron-containing protein in RBCs that binds and transports oxygen; gives blood its red color.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

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

Anemia

Condition characterized by too few red blood cells or too little hemoglobin.

Hemolytic anemia

Too much hemolysis(rupturing of the rbcs)

Iron-deficiency anemia

Most common form of anemia, caused by insufficient iron intake, leading to reduced Hb production.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

A hormone produced by kidneys when oxygen levels in blood are low

Leukocytes (WBCs)

White blood cells; part of the immune system that fights infection.

Colony-Stimulating Factors (CSF)

Chemical messengers that stimulate the growth and differentiation of white blood cells.

Neutrophils

Most abundant type of WBC (50-70%); first responders to bacterial infection; engulf pathogens via phagocytosis.

Eosinophils

WBCs with a bi-lobed nucleus and large granules; kill parasitic worms and function in allergic reactions.

Basophils

WBCs with a U-shaped/lobed nucleus; release histamine during allergic reactions, causing vasodilation and constricting breathing passageways.

Lymphocytes

WBCs crucial for immune response; includes T cells and B cells.

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease (SCID)

Inherited disease in which lymphocytes don’t develop, causing severe immune deficiency.

Leukemia

Group of cancers in which abnormal WBCs proliferate uncontrollably.

Infectious Mononucleosis

Infectious disease caused by Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), infecting lymphocytes and causing fatigue, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.

Platelets (Thrombocytes)

Cell fragments originating from megakaryocytes in red bone marrow; essential for blood clotting.

Hemostasis

Process of blood clotting to prevent blood loss from broken vessels.

Vascular spasms

First step in haemostasis: vasoconstriction reduces blood flow to an injured area.

Platelet plug

Temporary plug formed by platelets sticking to exposed collagen fibers at a broken blood vessel.

Coagulation

Final step of haemostasis; involves the formation of a fibrin mesh that traps RBCs and platelets, forming a blood clot.

Serum

Liquid component of blood left after clot formation.

Thrombocytopenia

Condition characterized by too few platelets, leading to excessive bleeding.

Thromboembolism

A blood clot (thrombus) that forms, breaks loose, and travels through the bloodstream, potentially blocking blood flow in another area.

Hemophilia

Genetic deficiency of a clotting factor, resulting in the inability to form blood clots.

Transfusion

Transfer of blood from one person to another; requires blood type compatibility to prevent agglutination.

Antigen

A substance that triggers an immune response; usually glycoproteins on the surface of RBCs.

Antibodies

Proteins in plasma that bind specifically to antigens, triggering an immune response.

Agglutination

Clumping of red blood cells due to mismatched blood types, where antibodies in the recipient's plasma bind to antigens on the donor's RBCs.

Lymphatic system

System consisting of lymphatic vessels and organs; functions to absorb excess interstitial fluid, transport fats, produce lymphocytes, and defend against pathogens.

Lymph

Milky fluid containing WBCs, proteins, fats, bacteria, or viruses; transported by lymphatic vessels.

Lymph nodes

Small structures along lymphatic vessels that filter lymph, removing microorganisms, debris, and abnormal cells.

Tonsils

Lymphatic organ that filters food and air entering the throat.

Adenoids

Lymphatic organ in the back of nasal passages that filters air entering the respiratory tract.

Peyer patches

Lymphatic nodules in the intestinal walls and appendix; fight infections entering via the digestive tract.

Spleen

Largest lymphatic organ; removes old RBCs, stores blood, and helps detect pathogens.

Red pulp

Region of the spleen that removes old RBCs and stores blood.

White pulp

Region of the spleen with lymphocytes that search for pathogens.

Thymus

Gland behind the sternum, above the heart; site of T cell maturation.

Immunity

Killing/removing foreign substances, pathogens, cancer cells from the body.

Innate (nonspecific) Immunity

Nonspecific immune defense present at birth that works without prior exposure; includes physical barriers, chemical barriers, inflammatory response, and protective proteins.

Adaptive Immunity

Immune defense that targets specific pathogens and has memory for faster future responses; includes cell-mediated and antibody-mediated immunity.

Skin

Physical barrier, effective deterrent.

Phagocytic cells

WBCs that engulf invading bacteria; include neutrophils, macrophages, and eosinophils.

Natural killer cells

A lymphocyte that attacks tumor cells and virus-infected cells.

Interferons

Proteins which fight the virus

Immune response

Adaptive immunity targeting specific pathogens and having memory

Cell-mediated immunity

Adaptive immunity pathway involving T lymphocytes.

Antibody-mediated immunity

Adaptive immunity pathway involving B lymphocytes and antibodies.

Thymus

T cells site mature

Helper T cells

Coordinate the immune response by secreting cytokines

Cytotoxic T cells

Destroy the infected / abnormal cells directly

Immunoglobulins (Ig)

Classes of antibodies

Primary immune response

First time is the immune system’s response

Secondary immune response

Second exposure to the same antigen when exposed how fast antibodies appear in hours and peak in a few days unlike first response

Immunization

Method to develop immunity against a specific antigen

Allergies

Hypersensitive immune response to harmless substances called allergens

IgE, antibodies, basophils, mast cells, histamine

Triggers allergic responses

Anaphylactic shock

Severe life-threatening systemic reaction

Autoimmune disorders

Immune system attacks the body’s own tissues

Immune deficiency

AIDS cause HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus)

HIV

HIV attack cells attached CD4 receptors of Helper T cells