EXS 111 Blood

Which system uses blood to transport oxygen (O2) throughout the body?

The respiratory system.

What substances does the digestive system contribute to the blood for transportation?

Glucose and electrolytes.

The blood carries out excretion by transporting excess _____ or water.

Hydrogen (H+).

How does blood contribute to hormonal regulation in the body?

By carrying and delivering hormones like testosterone and angiotensin.

Through what mechanism does blood facilitate cooling for temperature control?

Vasodilation.

Through what mechanism does blood facilitate warmth for temperature control?

Vasoconstriction.

Which blood components are primarily responsible for the protection function of clotting?

Platelets.

What is the primary role of blood in the immune system?

Transporting white blood cells.

Arterial blood is bright red due to its high concentration of _____.

Hemoglobin.

How does the color of venous blood differ from arterial blood?

It is dark red because it is deoxygenated.

What percentage of whole blood is typically composed of plasma?

55%

The 'formed elements' or cellular portion of blood makes up approximately _____% of whole blood.

45%

What specific components make up the 'Buffy Coat' in a centrifuged blood sample?

White blood cells and platelets.

List three properties of blood regulated by plasma proteins.

Blood volume, pH, and osmotic pressure.

Which specific hormone is mentioned as being transferred by plasma?

Vasopressin (Antidiuretic Hormone/ADH).

What is the primary structural difference between blood plasma and blood serum?

Plasma contains fibrinogen, while serum does not.

Why is serum often preferred over plasma for clinical research or immunology tests?

It is more refined and contains fewer contaminants.

Which diagnostic benefit is associated with using plasma over serum?

Fast/quick turnaround time.

Approximately how many O2 molecules can a single erythrocyte transport?

1 billion.

Erythrocytes assist in acid-base balance through the Carbonic acid: _____ System.

Bicarbonate.

Why are erythrocytes unable to replicate or perform aerobic metabolism?

They lack a nucleus and mitochondria.

What is the average lifespan of a red blood cell?

120 days.

What is the characteristic shape of a healthy erythrocyte?

Concave disc.

Which specific abnormal RBC shape is associated with detrimental health effects and blood flow blockages?

Sickle cell.

What is the primary anatomical source for the generation of new red blood cells?

Bone marrow.

Which two organs are primarily responsible for recycling iron from old RBCs?

The liver and spleen.

Term: Hematopoiesis

Definition: The general process of generating all types of blood cells.

Term: Erythropoiesis

Definition: The specific process of generating red blood cells in the bone marrow.

Which hormone, released by the kidneys, stimulates the production of RBCs?

Erythropoietin.

Under what physiological condition do the kidneys trigger the release of erythropoietin?

A decline in blood O2 levels.

Besides recycling, what is the other major source of iron for the body?

Dietary intake.

Apart from menstruation, how is iron naturally eliminated from the body?

Intestinal epithelium shedding.

Concept: Anemia

Definition: A condition characterized by abnormally low hemoglobin or RBC counts.

What are the common causes of iron deficiency anemia?

Heavy menstruation, GI bleeding, pregnancy, or Celiac disease.

What is the underlying cause of Pernicious Anemia?

Inability to absorb Vitamin B12.

Term: Polycythemia

Definition: A clinical scenario where the red blood cell count is abnormally high.

How does Primary Polycythemia affect the physical properties of blood?

It makes the blood more viscous (thick).

Why does Primary Polycythemia cause the heart to work harder?

It increases Total Peripheral Resistance (TPR).

Which form of polycythemia is a normal adaptive response to high altitude training?

Secondary polycythemia.

In blood typing, what are antigens?

Identifier molecules located on the surface of red blood cells.

Where are blood antibodies found, and what is their role?

They are proteins in the plasma that bind to foreign antigens.

In the ABO system, which blood type is considered recessive?

Type O.

If a person inherits an 'A' molecule from one parent and a 'B' from the other, what is their blood type?

Type AB.

What antibodies are present in the plasma of an individual with Type A blood?

Anti-B antibodies.

Which blood type lacks both Anti-A and Anti-B antibodies in the plasma?

Type AB.

Term: Agglutination

Definition: The clumping of red blood cells that occurs when antibodies bind to foreign antigens.

Term: Hemolysis

Definition: The rupture and death of red blood cells, often following agglutination.

Which blood type is known as the 'Universal Donor'?

Type O.

Which blood type is known as the 'Universal Recipient'?

Type AB.

Why is Rh factor compatibility critical for a second pregnancy in an Rh- mother?

The mother's immune system may attack the Rh+ fetal RBCs.

How do platelets differ structurally from whole cells?

They are cell fragments that lack a nucleus.

Which high-concentration proteins allow platelets to contract?

Actin and Myosin.

Term: Hemostasis

Definition: The physiological process of arresting (stopping) bleeding.

What are the three primary steps toward achieving hemostasis?

Vascular Spasm, Platelet Plug, and Blood Clotting (Coagulation).

What triggers the formation of a platelet plug?

Exposure of platelets to collagen in the surrounding endothelium.

What is the function of the Von Willebrand Factor (VWF)?

It acts as a protein bridge that holds platelets in place at a wound site.

During a platelet response, what is the purpose of activating Actin-Myosin?

To tighten the platelet plug.

How is a fibrin web created during the coagulation process?

Platelets use thrombin to convert plasma fibrinogen into fibrin.

What causes blood clots to appear red in color?

The fibrin web catches red blood cells.

The _____ coagulation pathway is initiated by exposure to collagen and is generally slower.

Intrinsic.

The _____ coagulation pathway is initiated by exposure to tissue factors outside the blood and is faster.

Extrinsic.

Both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways converge into the _____ Pathway.

Common.

Which two molecules secreted by intact endothelium inhibit platelet aggregation?

Prostacyclin and Nitric Oxide.

Which molecule, activated by Factor XII, eventually leads to the digestion of a fibrin web?

Plasmin.

How does the anticoagulant Heparin prevent blood clotting?

By activating anti-thrombin.

How does Warfarin (Coumadin) inhibit the clotting process?

It inhibits Vitamin K, preventing the production of calcium-binding proteins.

List the three types of Granular Leukocytes.

Neutrophils, Eosinophils, and Basophils.

Which white blood cell type serves as the 'first line of defense' and acts as a phagocyte?

Neutrophils.

Which rare white blood cell specializes in fighting fungal or parasite infections?

Eosinophils.

Which leukocytes are responsible for releasing histamine and heparin?

Basophils.

Differentiate between the roles of B-cells and T-cells.

B-cells produce antibodies, while T-cells guide and direct the immune system.

Which a granular leukocytes become macrophages or dendritic cells?

Monocytes.

Term: Leukopoiesis

Definition: The formation of white blood cells regulated by cytokines.

What is the clinical term for an abnormally low white blood cell count?

Leukopenia.

What is the clinical term for an abnormally high amount of immature white blood cells caused by bone marrow cancer?

Leukemia.