blood and cardiovascular system

plasma

plasma

clear fluid matrix that contains nutrients, wastes, minerals, gases, hormones, etc.

Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)

Contain hemoglobin molecules that transport O2 to body cells (and has no nucleus)

White Blood Cells (Leukocytes)

Protect body against infection by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and tumor cells

Platelets

Cell fragments that form blood clots to control bleeding

Hematopoiesis

Blood cell formation that occurs in the bone marrow

Hemostasis

Blood clotting →Vascular smooth muscle spasms cause vasoconstriction which decreases blood loss

Platelets become sticky and form a platelet plug

Antigen

substance that the body recognizes as foreign

Antibodies

produced by the body in response to antigen

ABO Blood Groups

based on the presence or absence of 2 major antigens on red blood cells (A and B antigens)

Which blood types can be accepted?

Rh Blood Groups

Written as + or - Rh+ possess Rh antigens on RBCs

Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn

occurs when a Rh- mother is pregnant with a Rh+ baby

Pericardium

double-walled sac that encloses the heart

Myocardium

thick bundles of cardiac muscle that contract to pump blood

Endocardium

thin sheet of endothelium that lines heart chambers

Atria

upper chambers that receive blood from the body

Ventricles

lower chambers that pump blood from atria back into circulation

Valves (or flaps)

allow blood to flow in only one direction through the heart chambers

Pulmonary Circuit

sends oxygen-poor blood to the lungs to pick up O2 and unload CO2

Systemic Circuit

sends oxygen-rich blood and nutrients to all body cells and removes wastes

Arteries

large, thick walled vessels that carry blood away from the heart under high pressure

Veins

thinner vessels that carry blood to the heart under low pressure

Capillaries

tiny, hair-like vessels that connect the smallest arteries to the smallest veins in tissues

→ Exchange nutrients and gases to/from tissues

Pacemaker

special neuromuscular tissue that starts each heartbeat and sets the pace for the whole heart

Vasoconstriction

narrowing of blood vessels which increases blood pressure

Vasodilation

widening of blood vessels which increases blood flow

Arterial Pulse

alternating expansion and recoil of an artery that occurs with each beat of the left ventricle

Blood Pressure

force that blood exerts against the inner walls of blood vessels

Systolic

pressure in arteries at the peak of ventricle contraction (top number)

Diastolic

pressure when ventricles are relaxing (bottom number)

Tachycardia

rapid heart rate

Bradycardia

slower than normal heart rate

Hypotension

low blood pressure

Hypertension

high blood pressure

Sickle Cell Anemia

inherited disease characterized by abnormally shaped erythrocytes that rupture easily

Leukemia

cancer of white blood cells that affects the body’s ability to fight infections

Hemophilia

hereditary bleeding disorders that result from the lack of clotting factors in the blood

Embolism

occurs when a blood clot floating freely in the bloodstream blocks a blood vessel

→ Can cause stroke

Pericarditis

inflammation of the pericardium that interferes with heart movements

Endocarditis

bacterial infection of the endocardium that stiffens the heart valves

Heart Murmur

abnormal or unusual heart sounds usually caused by defective valves

Atherosclerosis

hardening and narrowing of the arteries caused by a buildup of cholesterol plaque

Myocardial Infarction

heart attack that occurs when blood flow to the heart is decreased and cells die

Congestive Heart Failure

occurs when the pumping efficiency of the heart is inadequate to meet tissue needs