Blood, Lymphatic, and Immune Systems

Blood transport function

Carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, hormones, and wastes.

Blood defense function

White blood cells fight pathogens; clotting prevents blood loss.

Blood homeostasis function

Regulates body temperature, pH using buffers, and water balance.

Hematocrit

The percentage of red blood cells in total blood volume.

Centrifuged blood bottom layer

Red blood cells (RBCs).

Centrifuged blood middle layer

Buffy coat, consisting of white blood cells and platelets.

Centrifuged blood top layer

Plasma.

Packed Cell Volume (PCV)

The volume of red blood cells after centrifugation.

Oxygenated blood color

Bright red.

Deoxygenated blood color

Dusky red.

Blood viscosity

Thick and sticky consistency.

Normal blood temperature

38 degrees C or 100.4 degrees F.

Normal blood pH range

7.35 to 7.45.

Female blood volume

4 to 5 liters.

Male blood volume

5 to 6 liters.

Plasma water content

Approximately 92% water.

Albumin function

Main plasma protein responsible for osmotic pressure.

Globulins function

Immunity; gamma globulins act as antibodies.

Fibrinogen function

Essential for blood clotting.

Plasma protein synthesis site

The liver (except gamma globulins, made by plasma cells).

Hemopoiesis definition

The process of blood cell formation.

Hemocytoblast

The stem cell for all formed elements in blood.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

Growth factor stimulating red blood cell production.

Thrombopoietin

Growth factor stimulating platelet production.

Cytokines in hemopoiesis

Growth factors responsible for white blood cell production.

Female RBC count

About 4.8 million per microliter.

Male RBC count

About 5.4 million per microliter.

Primary RBC function

Carry oxygen throughout the body.

Mature RBC structure

Lacks a nucleus and organelles.

RBC shape

Biconcave disk.

Hemoglobin molecule count

250 to 300 million molecules per RBC.

Oxyhemoglobin

Hemoglobin with oxygen attached.

Deoxyhemoglobin

Hemoglobin after oxygen has been released.

Carbon dioxide transport in blood

Mostly transported as bicarbonate.

Percent saturation

The percentage of hemoglobin carrying oxygen.

Pulse oximeter

Device used to measure percent saturation of hemoglobin.

RBC lifespan

Approximately 120 days.

RBC destruction site

Macrophages in the spleen, liver, and bone marrow.

Globin breakdown product

Broken down into amino acids.

Iron breakdown product

Stored or recycled via transferrin.

Biliverdin color

Green.

Bilirubin color and path

Yellow, which converts to bile.

Stercobilin

Breakdown pigment that makes feces brown.

Urobilin

Breakdown pigment that makes urine yellow.

Most common formed element in blood

Red blood cells (RBCs).

Anemia

Low red blood cells or hemoglobin.

Sickle cell disease

Genetic condition causing sickled RBCs that block vessels.

Iron deficiency anemia

Anemia caused by low iron levels.

Megaloblastic anemia

Anemia caused by low B12 or folate.

Pernicious anemia

Low intrinsic factor leading to inability to absorb B12.

Aplastic anemia

Low stem cells causing all formed elements to be low.

Thalassemia

Inherited condition causing abnormal RBC maturation.

Polycythemia

Too many RBCs resulting in thick blood.

Leukocyte count

5,000 to 10,000 per microliter.

Leukocyte function

Immunity and defense against pathogens.

Diapedesis

The ability of WBCs to squeeze through vessel walls.

Positive chemotaxis

Movement of WBCs toward specific chemicals.

Granular leukocytes

Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

Agranular leukocytes

Lymphocytes and monocytes.

Neutrophils function

Most common WBC; fight acute infections.

Eosinophils function

Fight parasites and allergies; act as antihistamines.

Basophils function

Least common WBC; release histamine and heparin.

Lymphocytes types

B cells, T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells.

Monocytes function

Become macrophages; fight chronic infections.

WBC mnemonic

Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas (Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils).

Leukopenia

Abnormally low white blood cell count.

Leukocytosis

Abnormally high white blood cell count.

Leukemia

Cancer of the white blood cells.

Lymphoma

Malignant lymphocytes located in nodes, spleen, or liver.

Platelet count

150,000 to 400,000 per microliter.

Platelet function

Essential for blood clotting.

Megakaryocytes

Large bone marrow cells that produce platelets.

Thrombocytosis

Abnormally high platelet count.

Thrombocytopenia

Abnormally low platelet count.

Vascular spasm

Immediate constriction of a damaged blood vessel.

Platelet plug formation

Platelet accumulation where serotonin maintains vasoconstriction.

Coagulation

The formation of a fibrin blood clot.

Hemophilia

Genetic disorder caused by missing clotting factors.

Thrombosis

Formation of unwanted blood clots due to excess platelets.

Thrombus vs Embolus

A thrombus is a stationary clot; an embolus is a moving clot.

Blood antigen

A marker located on the surface of red blood cells.

Blood antibody

A protein found in plasma that targets foreign antigens.

Agglutination

Clumping of blood cells when the wrong blood type is given.

Universal blood donor

O negative (O-).

Universal blood recipient

AB positive (AB+).

Most common white blood cell

Neutrophil.

Rh positive (Rh+)

Blood has the Rh antigen present.

Rh negative (Rh-)

Blood lacks the Rh antigen.

Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN)

Condition in an Rh- mother carrying a second Rh+ baby.

RhoGAM

Medication that prevents anti-Rh antibodies in mothers.

Lymphatic system function 1

Drain excess interstitial fluid.

Lymphatic system function 2

Transport immune cells.

Lymph nodes function

Act as immune response staging areas and filter lymph.

Interstitial fluid location

Fluid located in the tissue spaces between cells.

Lymph definition

Interstitial fluid inside lymph capillaries, ducts, and the bloodstream.

Skeletal muscle contraction in lymph

Helps move lymph through vessels.

Breathing pressure changes in lymph

Assists in the movement of lymph.

One-way valves in lymph vessels

Prevent the backflow of lymph.

Lacteals

Specialized lymphatic capillaries that absorb lipids in the small intestine.

Chyle

A mixture of lymph and absorbed lipids.