Marieb Human Anatomy & Physiology Chapter 17: Blood Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the composition of blood, the structure and function of formed elements, blood disorders, and hemostasis.

Blood pH

The precise physical characteristic of blood that maintains a range of $7.35\text{--}7.45$.

Albumin

The most abundant plasma protein ($60\%$) produced by the liver that acts as the main contributor to osmotic pressure.

Fibrinogen

A plasma protein ($4\%$) produced by the liver that forms fibrin threads of a blood clot.

Formed Elements

The cellular components of blood: erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets.

Erythrocytes

Biconcave, anucleate cells lacking most organelles that function primarily to transport respiratory gases.

Hemoglobin (Hb)

A protein that makes up $97\%$ of red blood cell volume (not counting water) and utilizes iron-containing heme pigment to transport oxygen.

Hematopoiesis

The general term for the formation of blood cells, which occurs in the red bone marrow.

Erythropoiesis

The specific process of erythrocyte production, evolving from hematopoietic stem cells through stages like proerythroblasts and reticulocytes.

Reticulocytes

Young erythrocytes containing a network of ribosomes; their count can be used to estimate the rate of RBC formation.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

A hormone released by kidney cells during hypoxia that stimulates red blood cell production.

Ferritin and Hemosiderin

Protein-iron complexes where iron is stored in cells to prevent the toxicity of free iron ions.

Transferrin

A plasma protein that loosely binds to and transports iron throughout the blood.

Sickle cell Anemia

A disorder caused by mutated Hemoglobin S, resulting in misshaped RBCs that rupture easily and block small vessels.

Pernicious Anemia

An autoimmune disease that destroys stomach mucosa, preventing the production of intrinsic factor necessary for Vitamin $B_{12}$ absorption.

Thalassemia

An erythrocyte disorder where RBCs are thin, delicate, and deficient in hemoglobin because one globin chain is absent or faulty.

Granulocytes

A group of leukocytes including neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils that contain visible cytoplasmic granules.

Neutrophils

The most numerous WBCs ($50\text{--}70\%$) which act as phagocytic "bacteria slayers" using defensins.

Eosinophils

WBCs ($2\text{--}4\%$) with earmuff-shaped nuclei and red granules that digest parasitic worms and modulate allergic responses.

Basophils

The rarest leukocytes ($0.5\text{--}1\%$) containing purplish-black granules of histamine.

Lymphocytes

Agranulocytes including T cells and B cells that are crucial for immunity; they account for $25\%$ of WBCs.

Monocytes

The largest leukocytes ($3\text{--}8\%$) which leave circulation to differentiate into highly mobile macrophages.

Leukopenia

An abnormally low WBC count, often induced by drugs like glucocorticoids or anticancer agents.

Platelets

Cell fragments derived from megakaryocytes that participate in hemostasis by forming temporary plugs.

Hemostasis

The rapid, localized series of reactions including vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and coagulation to stop bleeding.

Serum

Blood plasma from which the clotting proteins have been removed.

Fibrinolysis

The process of removing clots after vessel repair, characterized by the enzyme plasmin digesting fibrin threads.

Thrombus

A clot that develops and persists in an unbroken blood vessel.

Embolus

A thrombus that has broken away and is floating freely in the bloodstream.

Thrombocytopenia

A condition characterized by a deficient number of circulating platelets, often due to bone marrow suppression.

Hemophilia A

The most common hereditary bleeding disorder ($77\%$ of cases) caused by a deficiency in factor VIII.

Agglutinogens

RBC antigens (A and B) found on the surface of erythrocytes that determine ABO blood groups.

Agglutinins

Plasma antibodies (anti-A and anti-B) that react against foreign RBC antigens.