Blood and the Circulatory System

A set of flashcards covering essential vocabulary and concepts related to blood and the circulatory system.

Blood

A liquid connective tissue that transports oxygen, nutrients, wastes, and hormones.

CBC

Complete Blood Count, a test that evaluates various components of blood.

Columbia Basin College

An educational institution.

Circulatory System

System comprised of the heart and blood vessels that circulates blood.

Cardiovascular system

Another name for the circulatory system, focusing on heart and blood vessels.

Transports

The function of blood to move substances such as O2 and nutrients.

O2

Oxygen, essential for cellular respiration.

CO2

Carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration.

Nutrients

Substances necessary for growth and energy.

Wastes

By-products of metabolism that must be eliminated.

Hormones

Chemical messengers secreted into the blood.

Stem cells

Undifferentiated cells that can develop into different cell types.

Protection

Function of blood to defend against infections and initiate clotting.

Inflammation

The body's response to injury or infection.

Clotting

The process of forming a blood clot to prevent blood loss.

Regulation

Blood's role in maintaining fluid balance, pH stability, and temperature.

Fluid balance

The maintenance of proper levels of fluids in the body.

pH of ECF

pH stability in the extracellular fluid.

Temperature control

Regulation of body temperature by the circulatory system.

Adults blood volume

Typically 4-6 liters of blood.

Liquid connective tissue

The classification of blood as a type of connective tissue.

Plasma

The liquid matrix of blood, a clear light yellow fluid.

Formed elements

Cellular components of blood, including red and white blood cells.

Red blood cells (RBCs)

Cells responsible for transporting oxygen.

White blood cells (WBCs)

Cells that protect the body against infections.

Platelets

Cell fragments involved in blood clotting.

Platelets

Cell fragments broken off from cells in bone marrow.

Erythrocytes

Another term for red blood cells.

Leukocytes

Another term for white blood cells.

Granulocytes

A type of white blood cell with granules in its cytoplasm.

Neutrophils

A type of granulocyte that responds to infection.

Eosinophils

A type of granulocyte involved in allergic reactions.

Basophils

A type of granulocyte that releases histamine.

Agranulocytes

White blood cells without granules.

Lymphocytes

A type of agranulocyte involved in the immune response.

Monocytes

A type of agranulocyte that transforms into macrophages.

Hematocrit

The proportion of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells.

Buffy coat

The layer of white blood cells and platelets in a centrifuged blood sample.

Erythrocytes

The heaviest formed element in blood that settles during centrifugation.

Plasma volume

Typically 47% to 63% of total blood volume.

Water in plasma

The primary component of plasma, making up the majority of its volume.

Plasma proteins

Proteins dissolved in plasma, including albumins, globulins, and fibrinogen.

Albumins

Most abundant plasma proteins important for maintaining osmotic pressure.

Globulins

Plasma proteins that act as antibodies in the immune system.

Fibrinogen

A plasma protein that is a precursor to fibrin in the clotting process.

Nitrogenous compounds

Includes waste products like urea found in plasma.

Electrolytes

Ions in plasma that help regulate bodily functions.

Blood viscosity

The thickness or resistance of blood to flow.

Blood osmolarity

Concentration of dissolved particles in blood.

Hemopoiesis

The production of blood cells.

Myeloid hemopoiesis

Blood formation occurring in the bone marrow.

Lymphoid hemopoiesis

Blood formation occurring in lymphatic tissues.

Colony-forming unit

Stem cells that develop into a specific class of formed elements.

Blood types

Classification of blood based on the presence of certain antigens.

Karl Landsteiner

Scientist who discovered blood types A, B, and O.

Antigens

Complex molecules that can activate an immune response.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by the immune system that bind to antigens.

Agglutination

Clumping of red blood cells caused by the reaction of antibodies with antigens.

ABO Antigens

Blood group antigens present on the surface of red blood cells.

Mismatched Transfusion Reaction

A dangerous reaction caused by transfusing incompatible blood types.

Universal donor

Type O blood, which lacks A and B antigens.

Universal recipient

Type AB blood, which lacks antibodies against A and B antigens.

Rh group

A classification of blood based on the presence of Rh antigens.

Rh D antigens

The most significant antigens in the Rh blood type system.

Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN)

A condition that occurs when an Rh- mother has antibodies against Rh+ blood.

RhoGAM

A treatment to prevent Rh incompatibility during pregnancy.

Hemostasis

The process of stopping bleeding.

Hemorrhage

Excessive or uncontrolled bleeding.

Vascular spasm

The immediate constriction of a damaged blood vessel.

Platelet plug formation

The process where platelets stick together to seal small breaks.

Coagulation

The process of blood clotting.

Clot retraction

The tightening of a blood clot to reduce its size.

Fibrinolysis

The process of dissolving a clot.

Thrombosis

Abnormal clotting in an unbroken vessel.

Thrombus

A blood clot that forms in a vessel.

Embolus

A traveling blood clot or substance that can block blood vessels.

Infarction

Tissue death due to lack of blood supply.

Hemophilia

A genetic disorder characterized by deficiencies in blood clotting.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells responsible for oxygen transport.

Gas transport

The function of blood to carry gases like O2 and CO2.

Hemoglobin (Hb)

The protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen.

Erythrocyte count

A measure of the number of red blood cells in blood.

Hematocrit range for men

42%-52%.

Hematocrit range for women

37%-48%.

Erythropoiesis

The process of producing red blood cells.

Proerythroblast

The earliest precursor in erythropoiesis.

Reticulocyte

An immature red blood cell released into circulation.

Iron metabolism

The process of managing iron in the body for hemoglobin production.

Hemoglobin components

Include iron and globin proteins.

Erythrocyte homeostasis

The regulation of red blood cell production.

Hemolysis

The breakdown of red blood cells.

Macrophages

Cells that digest aging red blood cells and recycle components.

Leukocytes

White blood cells involved in immune response.

Leukocyte types

Granulocytes and agranulocytes.

Leukopoiesis

The formation of white blood cells.

Granulocyte lifespan

Typically live for about 5 days.

Monocyte lifespan

Transform into macrophages and live for several years.

Lymphocyte lifespan

Can live for decades providing long-term immunity.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A comprehensive blood test assessing various components.

Differential WBC count

A breakdown of the different types of white blood cells.