Human Physiology: Body Fluid and Circulation

A series of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to human physiology, body fluids, and circulation.

Blood

A vital and specialized type of connective tissue that circulates throughout the body.

Fluid Connective Tissue

Classification of blood, indicating that its matrix is fluid, allowing it to flow.

Mesodermal

Refers to the origin of blood, meaning it develops from the mesoderm layer in an embryo.

Plasma

The uppermost layer of blood, primarily composed of liquid and makes up about 55% of total blood volume.

Buffy Coat

A thin, whitish layer in blood that contains white blood cells and platelets.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells (RBCs) that make up about 45% of total blood and are responsible for gas transport.

Hemoglobin

An iron-containing pigment in red blood cells essential for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Hematopoiesis

The formation of blood cells, including RBCs, WBCs, and platelets, occurring primarily in bone marrow.

Neutrophils

The most abundant type of white blood cells (60-65%) that act as the primary defense against infections.

Basophils

The least abundant type of white blood cells (less than 1%) involved in inflammatory responses.

Eosinophils

White blood cells that increase during allergic reactions and parasitic infections.

Platelets (Thrombocytes)

Cell fragments essential for blood clotting, with a lifespan of about one week.

Thromboplastin

A chemical released by platelets that triggers blood clotting.

ABO Blood Grouping System

Classification of blood based on the presence or absence of specific antigens on red blood cells.

Rh factor

An antigen on the surface of red blood cells that determines positive or negative blood types.

Erythroblastosis Fetalis

A condition caused by Rh incompatibility between mother and fetus, resulting in destruction of fetal RBCs.

Lymph

A fluid that accumulates in tissues and plays a role in nutrient exchange and immune response.

Double Circulation

A circulatory system in which blood flows through the heart and lungs, and then to the rest of the body.

Systole

The contraction phase of the heart when the chambers pump blood out.

Diastole

The relaxation phase of the heart during which the chambers fill with blood.

Cardiac Output (CO)

The total volume of blood pumped by each ventricle in one minute.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

A graphical representation of the heart's electrical activity, capturing its rhythm and functioning.

Coronary Circulation

The circuit that supplies blood specifically to the heart muscle itself.

Portal Circulation

A system connecting two organs through a network of capillaries without blood returning to the heart first.