Blood Composition and Function in the Circulatory System

Circulatory System

Connects heart, lungs, and tissues for blood flow.

Blood Volume

Average adult blood volume is approximately 5 liters.

Blood Circulation Rate

14,000 liters circulate every 24 hours.

Arteries

Thick-walled vessels carrying blood away from heart.

Veins

Thinner-walled vessels returning blood to heart.

Blood Pressure

Force exerted by circulating blood on vessel walls.

Systolic Pressure

Maximum arterial pressure during heart contraction.

Diastolic Pressure

Minimum arterial pressure between heartbeats.

Hypotension

Abnormally low blood pressure causing weak symptoms.

Hypertension

Abnormally high blood pressure risking health issues.

Oxyhaemoglobin

Bright red form of haemoglobin carrying oxygen.

Carbaminohaemoglobin

Dark red form of haemoglobin carrying carbon dioxide.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells responsible for oxygen transport.

Leukocytes

White blood cells involved in immune defense.

Platelets

Cell fragments aiding in blood clotting.

Albumin

Major blood protein maintaining osmotic pressure.

Fibrinogen

Protein essential for blood coagulation process.

Immunoglobulins

Antibodies providing specific immune responses.

Hematopoiesis

Formation of blood cells from stem cells.

CD34+ Stem Cell

Multipotent stem cell for blood cell development.

Immunophenotyping

Technique to identify specific cell populations using antibodies.

Coagulation Cascade

Proteolytic activation process leading to blood clotting.

Thrombin

Key enzyme converting fibrinogen to fibrin.

Plasminogen

Inactive precursor converted to plasmin for clot dissolution.

Complement System

First line of defense against pathogens in immunity.

Opsonization

Coating of pathogens to enhance phagocytosis.

Membrane Attack Complex (MAC)

Lytic pore formed by complement proteins to kill bacteria.

Anaphylatoxins

Small fragments attracting and activating phagocytes.

TPA (Tissue Plasminogen Activator)

Medication used to dissolve blood clots.