DCAP Ch 18

ABO blood group

blood-type classification based on the presence or absence of A and B glycoproteins on the erythrocyte membrane surface

agglutination

clustering of cells into masses linked by antibodies

agranular leukocytes

leukocytes with few granules in their cytoplasm; specifically, monocytes, lymphocytes, and NK cells

albumin

most abundant plasma protein, accounting for most of the osmotic pressure of plasma

anemia

deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin

antibodies

(also, immunoglobulins or gamma globulins) antigen-specific proteins produced by specialized B lymphocytes that protect the body by binding to foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses

B lymphocytes

(also, B cells) defend the body against specific pathogens and thereby provide specific immunity

basophils

granulocytes that stain with a basic (alkaline) stain and store histamine and heparin

bilirubin

yellowish bile pigment produced when iron is removed from heme and is further broken down into waste products

blood

liquid connective tissue composed of formed elements—erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets—and a fluid extracellular matrix called plasma; component of the cardiovascular system

clotting factors

group of 12 identified substances active in coagulation

coagulation

formation of a blood clot; part of the process of hemostasis

cytokines

class of proteins that act as autocrine or paracrine signaling molecules; in the cardiovascular system, they stimulate the proliferation of progenitor cells and help to stimulate both nonspecific and specific resistance to disease

diapedesis

(also, emigration) process by which leukocytes squeeze through adjacent cells in a blood vessel wall to enter tissues

embolus

thrombus that has broken free from the blood vessel wall and entered the circulation

eosinophils

granulocytes that stain with eosin; they release antihistamines and are especially active against parasitic worms

erythrocyte

(also, red blood cell) mature myeloid blood cell that is composed mostly of hemoglobin and functions primarily in the transportation of oxygen and carbon dioxide

erythropoietin (EPO)

glycoprotein that triggers the bone marrow to produce RBCs; secreted by the kidney in response to low oxygen levels

ferritin

protein-containing storage form of iron found in the bone marrow, liver, and spleen

fibrin

insoluble, filamentous protein that forms the structure of a blood clot

fibrinogen

plasma protein produced in the liver and involved in blood clotting

fibrinolysis

gradual degradation of a blood clot

formed elements

cellular components of blood; that is, erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets

globin

heme-containing globular protein that is a constituent of hemoglobin

globulins

heterogeneous group of plasma proteins that includes transport proteins, clotting factors, immune proteins, and others

granular leukocytes

leukocytes with abundant granules in their cytoplasm; specifically, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils

hematocrit

(also, packed cell volume) volume percentage of erythrocytes in a sample of centrifuged blood

heme

red, iron-containing pigment to which oxygen binds in hemoglobin

hemoglobin

oxygen-carrying compound in erythrocytes

hemolysis

destruction (lysis) of erythrocytes and the release of their hemoglobin into circulation

hemophilia

genetic disorder characterized by inadequate synthesis of clotting factors

hemopoiesis

production of the formed elements of blood

hemopoietic growth factors

chemical signals including erythropoietin, thrombopoietin, colony-stimulating factors, and interleukins that regulate the differentiation and proliferation of particular blood progenitor cells

hemopoietic stem cell

type of pluripotent stem cell that gives rise to the formed elements of blood (hemocytoblast)

hemorrhage

excessive bleeding

hemostasis

physiological process by which bleeding ceases

hypoxemia

below-normal level of oxygen saturation of blood (typically <95 percent)

immunoglobulins

(also, antibodies or gamma globulins) antigen-specific proteins produced by specialized B lymphocytes that protect the body by binding to foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses

interleukins

signaling molecules that may function in hemopoiesis, inflammation, and specific immune responses

leukemia

cancer involving leukocytes

leukocyte

(also, white blood cell) colorless, nucleated blood cell, the chief function of which is to protect the body from disease

leukocytosis

excessive leukocyte proliferation

leukopenia

below-normal production of leukocytes

lymphocytes

agranular leukocytes of the lymphoid stem cell line, many of which function in specific immunity

lymphoma

form of cancer in which masses of malignant T and/or B lymphocytes collect in lymph nodes, the spleen, the liver, and other tissues

macrophage

phagocytic cell of the myeloid lineage; a matured monocyte

megakaryocyte

bone marrow cell that produces platelets

memory cell

type of B or T lymphocyte that forms after exposure to a pathogen

monocytes

agranular leukocytes of the myeloid stem cell line that circulate in the bloodstream; tissue monocytes are macrophages

myeloid stem cells

type of hemopoietic stem cell that gives rise to some formed elements, including erythrocytes, megakaryocytes that produce platelets, and a myeloblast lineage that gives rise to monocytes and three forms of granular leukocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils)

natural killer (NK) cells

cytotoxic lymphocytes capable of recognizing cells that do not express "self" proteins on their plasma membrane or that contain foreign or abnormal markers; provide generalized, nonspecific immunity

neutrophils

granulocytes that stain with a neutral dye and are the most numerous of the leukocytes; especially active against bacteria

plasma

in blood, the liquid extracellular matrix composed mostly of water that circulates the formed elements and dissolved materials throughout the cardiovascular system

platelets

(also, thrombocytes) one of the formed elements of blood that consists of cell fragments broken off from megakaryocytes

pluripotent stem cell

stem cell that derives from totipotent stem cells and is capable of differentiating into many, but not all, cell types

polycythemia

elevated level of hemoglobin, whether adaptive or pathological

positive chemotaxis

process in which a cell is attracted to move in the direction of chemical stimuli

red blood cells (RBCs)

(also, erythrocytes) one of the formed elements of blood that transports oxygen

reticulocyte

immature erythrocyte that may still contain fragments of organelles

Rh blood group

blood-type classification based on the presence or absence of the antigen Rh on the erythrocyte membrane surface

serum

blood plasma that does not contain clotting factors

sickle cell disease

(also, sickle cell anemia) inherited blood disorder in which hemoglobin molecules are malformed, leading to the breakdown of RBCs that take on a characteristic sickle shape

T lymphocytes

(also, T cells) lymphocytes that provide cellular-level immunity by physically attacking foreign or diseased cells

thalassemia

inherited blood disorder in which maturation of RBCs does not proceed normally, leading to abnormal formation of hemoglobin and the destruction of RBCs

thrombin

enzyme essential for the final steps in formation of a fibrin clot

thrombocytes

platelets, one of the formed elements of blood that consists of cell fragments broken off from megakaryocytes

thrombocytopenia

condition in which there are too few platelets, resulting in abnormal bleeding (hemophilia)

thrombocytosis

condition in which there are too many platelets, resulting in abnormal clotting (thrombosis)

thrombopoietin

hormone secreted by the liver and kidneys that prompts the development of megakaryocytes into thrombocytes (platelets)

thrombosis

excessive clot formation

thrombus

aggregation of fibrin, platelets, and erythrocytes in an intact artery or vein

totipotent stem cell

embryonic stem cell that is capable of differentiating into any and all cells of the body; enabling the full development of an organism

transferrin

plasma protein that binds reversibly to iron and distributes it throughout the body

universal donor

individual with type O− blood

universal recipient

individual with type AB+ blood

vascular spasm

initial step in hemostasis, in which the smooth muscle in the walls of the ruptured or damaged blood vessel contracts

white blood cells (WBCs)

(also, leukocytes) one of the formed elements of blood that provides defense against disease agents and foreign materials