Blood Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering blood composition, formed elements, plasma proteins, blood types, erythrocytes, leukocytes, and hemostasis.

Plasma

The clear, light yellow liquid matrix of blood, making up $47\%$ to $63\%$ of total blood volume.

Formed Elements

The cellular components and cell fragments of blood, consisting of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Hematocrit

The percentage of total blood volume composed of erythrocytes after centrifuging, normally $37\%$ to $52\%$.

Buffy Coat

A narrow, light-colored layer comprising white blood cells and platelets that accounts for less than $1\%$ of total blood volume in centrifuged blood.

Serum

The fluid remaining after blood clots and solids are removed, identical to plasma except for the absence of fibrinogen.

Albumins

The smallest and most abundant plasma proteins, which contribute to blood viscosity and osmolarity to influence blood pressure, flow, and fluid balance.

Globulins

Plasma proteins produced by plasma cells that function as antibodies and provide immune system functions.

Fibrinogen

A soluble plasma protein synthesized by the liver that serves as the precursor to sticky fibrin threads during blood clotting.

Viscosity

The resistance of a fluid to flow resulting from particle cohesion; whole blood is $4.5$ to $5.5$ times as viscous as water.

Osmolarity

The total concentration of dissolved particles in the blood that cannot pass through vessel walls, which regulates fluid absorption and blood pressure.

Hemopoiesis

The process of producing blood cells and cell fragments (formed elements).

Myeloid Hemopoiesis

Blood cell formation occurring in the red bone marrow, which produces all seven types of formed elements.

Antigens

Genetically unique complex molecules on cell membrane surfaces that distinguish self from foreign material and can trigger an immune response.

Antibodies

Plasma proteins secreted by plasma cells that bind to specific foreign antigens to mark them for destruction.

Agglutination

The clumping of red blood cells caused by antibody molecules binding to antigens on multiple cells simultaneously.

Type O Blood

The universal blood donor type that lacks RBC antigens A and B on its cell surface.

Type AB Blood

The universal recipient blood type that lacks plasma anti-A and anti-B antibodies.

Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN)

A condition occurring when an Rh- mother forms anti-D antibodies against an Rh+ fetus, preventable by administering RhoGAM during pregnancy.

Erythrocytes

Biconcave, disc-shaped red blood cells that lack nuclei and organelles, specialized for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Spectrin and Actin

Cytoskeletal proteins in red blood cells that provide membrane resilience and flexibility to squeeze through narrow capillaries.

Carbonic Anhydrase (CAH)

An enzyme present in erythrocyte cytoplasm that catalyzes the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into carbonic acid, crucial for gas transport and pH balance.

Hemoglobin

A cytoplasmic protein composed of four globin protein chains and four iron-containing heme groups that binds oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Erythropoiesis

The production process of red blood cells, which takes $3$ to $5\text{ days}$ and results in an average erythrocyte lifespan of $120\text{ days}$.

Reticulocyte

An immature red blood cell that has discarded its nucleus and represents $1\%$ to $2\%$ of circulating erythrocytes in normal blood.

Gastroferritin

A stomach protein that binds ferrous ions ($Fe^{2+}$) and transports them to the small intestine for absorption.

Transferrin

A blood plasma protein that binds absorbed iron ions and transports them to red bone marrow, liver, and other tissues.

Ferritin

An iron-storage complex formed in the liver when iron binds to the protein apoferritin.

Hypoxemia

A condition of low oxygen concentration in the blood that stimulates the kidneys to release erythropoietin (EPO).

Hemolysis

The rupture and breakdown of red blood cells, which occurs primary in narrow channels of the spleen and liver.

Bilirubin

A yellow heme degradation pigment formed from biliverdin that is released into plasma and excreted by kidneys or secreted into liver bile.

Leukocytes

Nucleated white blood cells that defend the body against infection and disease, retaining organelles for protein synthesis.

Granulocytes

A category of white blood cells containing specific granules in their cytoplasm, comprising neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

Neutrophils

The most abundant granulocytes ($60\%$ to $70\%$ of WBCs), which protect against bacterial infections.

Monocytes

Large agranulocytes ($3\%$ to $8\%$ of WBCs) that migrate into tissue to transform into long-lived macrophages.

Lymphocytes

Agranulocytes ($25\%$ to $33\%$ of WBCs) that continuously recirculate between blood, tissue fluid, and lymph to provide long-term immunity.

Leukopoiesis

The formation and development of white blood cells from hemopoietic stem cells.

Hemostasis

The physiological process of stopping bleeding through vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and blood clotting.

Platelets

Anucleate cell fragments ($2$ to $4\,\mu m$ in diameter) cleaved from megakaryocytes in red bone marrow.

Megakaryocytes

Giant cells in red bone marrow that extend cytoplasmic tendrils into blood sinusoids, where flowing blood splits off fragments called platelets.

Prostacyclin

An endothelial cell coating that repels platelets and prevents clot formation in intact blood vessels.

Thromboxane A2

An eicosanoid released by degranulating platelets that promotes local vasoconstriction, platelet aggregation, and further degranulation.

Extrinsic Pathway

A blood clotting cascade initiated by tissue factor and clotting factors released by damaged blood vessel walls or extravascular tissue.

Thrombin

An active enzyme formed by prothrombin activator that converts soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin monomers.

Fibrinolysis

The enzymatic dissolution of a blood clot carried out by plasmin, an enzyme derived from plasminogen.

Thrombus

An abnormal blood clot formed within an unbroken blood vessel.

Embolus

Any object or clot that travels through the bloodstream and can obstruct blood vessels.

Heparin

A natural anticoagulant secreted by basophils and mast cells that interferes with the formation of prothrombin activator.

Antithrombin

A liver-derived protein that deactivates thrombin before it can convert fibrinogen to fibrin.

Hemophilia

A family of hereditary, sex-linked or autosomal bleeding disorders caused by deficiencies of specific clotting factors.