Ch.18 Flashcards

Hematology

The study of blood.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen.

Hematocrit

Percentage of whole blood volume composed of red blood cells.

Leukocytes

White blood cells involved in immune response.

Platelets

Cell fragments essential for blood clotting.

Hypoproteinemia

Deficiency of plasma proteins.

Erythropoiesis

The production of red blood cells.

Hemoglobin

Protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen.

Plasma

Liquid portion of blood containing water, proteins, nutrients, and electrolytes.

Coagulation

The process of blood clotting.

Agglutinogens

Antigens on the surface of red blood cells that determine blood type.

Anemia

Condition marked by insufficient red blood cells or hemoglobin.

Polycythemia

Excess of red blood cells in the bloodstream.

Blood viscosity

Resistance of blood to flow, affected by its thickness.

Osmolarity

The total molarity of dissolved particles in blood.

Hematopoiesis

The formation of blood cells.

Thrombopoiesis

The production of platelets.

Serum

Liquid remaining after blood clots and solids are removed.

Buffy coat

Layer of white blood cells and platelets in separated blood.

Immune response

The body’s defensive reaction against foreign substances.

Vascular spasm

Immediate constriction of a broken blood vessel.

Thrombus

A blood clot that forms in an unbroken vessel.

Embolism

A clot that travels through the bloodstream and can block a vessel.

Eosinophils

A type of white blood cell involved in combating parasitic infections and allergic reactions.

Basophils

A type of white blood cell that releases histamine and other chemicals during inflammatory reactions.

Neutrophils

Most abundant type of white blood cells, key in fighting bacterial infections.

Agranulocytes

White blood cells that do not have granules in their cytoplasm.

Granulocytes

White blood cells that have granules in their cytoplasm.

Lymphocytes

White blood cells important for the immune response, including T cells and B cells.

Monocytes

Largest type of white blood cell that can differentiate into macrophages.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

Hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production.

Fibrinogen

A plasma protein that is converted to fibrin during blood clotting.

Immunoglobulins

Antibodies that play a role in immune defense.

Iron metabolism

The process of absorbing, utilizing, and recycling iron in the body.

Kwashiorkor

A form of malnutrition caused by protein deficiency, leading to swollen abdomen.

Hemolysis

The rupture of red blood cells, releasing hemoglobin.

Antigen presentation

Process by which immune cells display antigens to initiate a response.

Erythrocyte life span

Average lifespan of approximately 120 days for red blood cells.

Transferrin

A plasma protein that transports iron throughout the body.

Hemoglobin concentration

The amount of hemoglobin in the blood, used to assess oxygen transport capacity.

Hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN)

Condition where Rh antibodies from the mother attack fetal blood cells.

RhoGAM

Medication given to prevent Rh incompatibility complications during pregnancy.

Sickle-cell disease

Hereditary disorder affecting the structure of hemoglobin.

Thrombocytopenia

Low platelet count that can lead to excessive bleeding.

Anticoagulant

Substance that prevents blood clotting.

Vitamin K

Essential for the synthesis of clotting factors in the liver.

Thromboxane A2

A chemical that promotes platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction.

Prothrombin

A plasma protein that is converted to thrombin during coagulation.

Clot retraction

The process of the clot contracting to reduce its size and stabilize the wound.

Plasminogen

Inactive precursor that is converted to plasmin, an enzyme that dissolves clots.

Fibrinolysis

The breakdown of fibrin in blood clots.

Stroke

Sudden loss of blood supply to a part of the brain.

Pulmonary embolism

Blockage in a pulmonary artery usually caused by blood clots.

Leukemia

Cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by high levels of abnormal white blood cells.

Erythropoietic cell line

Cell line responsible for the development of red blood cells.

Granulocyte

A type of white blood cell that contains granules.

Homeostasis of blood

The balance and regulation of various blood components.

Reticulocyte

An immature red blood cell that is released from the bone marrow.

Hypoxemia

Deficiency of oxygen in the blood.

Inflammatory cytokines

Proteins released by cells that signal immune responses.

Agglutination

Clumping of red blood cells due to the interaction between antibodies and antigens.

Blood grouping

Classification of blood based on the presence or absence of specific antigens.

Blood type

Classification of blood based on specific antigens on red blood cells.

Hemostasis mechanisms

The processes that prevent and stop bleeding, including vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and coagulation.

Erythrocyte colony-forming unit (CFU)

The first committed cell in the erythropoiesis process.

Factor VIII

A clotting factor whose deficiency results in Hemophilia A.

Factor IX

A clotting factor whose deficiency results in Hemophilia B.

Trauma to blood vessels

Injury to blood vessels that triggers the hemostatic response.

Cholesterol

A type of lipid found in blood plasma.