Circulation and Body Defense: The Blood (Chapter 13)

These vocabulary flashcards cover the constituents, functions, types, disorders, and testing procedures of human blood as described in the Chapter 13 lecture notes.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells (RBCs) that are anuclear, contain a protein of $4$ amino acid chains with an oxygen-binding heme group, and live approximately $120$ days.

Leukocytes

White blood cells (WBCs) that have prominent nuclei, are colorless, and function primarily in the immune system.

Platelets (Thrombocytes)

The smallest formed elements, which are fragments of giant bone marrow cells called megakaryocytes; they lack nuclei and are essential for blood clotting and coagulation.

Plasma

The fluid portion of blood comprising $55\%$ of total volume, consisting of $91\%$ water, $8\%$ proteins (albumin, clotting factors, antibodies), and $1\%$ nutrients and electrolytes.

Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Ancestor cells located in the red bone marrow that are able to form into any of the blood cell types.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

The hormone that stimulates the production of erythrocytes.

Hemoglobin

The oxygen carrier in RBCs that contains iron ($Fe$) and acts as a buffer for $H^+$ ions and carries $CO_2$ to the lungs.

Blood pH Range

The normal regulatory range for blood, which is $7.35$ to $7.45$.

Granulocytes

Leukocytes that show visible granules when stained and have segmented nuclei; includes neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

Neutrophils

The most numerous leukocytes ($55\%$) that perform phagocytosis; also known as polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs).

Band Cell

An immature neutrophil with a thick curved band nucleus; an increase in these cells indicates the presence of infection.

Eosinophils

Granulocytes making up $2\%$ of WBCs that are involved in allergic reactions and defense against parasites.

Basophils

Granulocytes making up less than $1\%$ of WBCs that participate in allergic reactions and inflammatory responses.

Agranulocytes

Leukocytes without visible granules and non-segmented nuclei; includes lymphocytes and monocytes.

Lymphocytes

The second most numerous white cells that mature in lymph tissue.

Monocytes

The largest leukocytes by size that perform phagocytosis and are the precursors to macrophages.

Hemostasis

The general term for the process that stops blood loss, involving vasoconstriction, platelet plug formation, and blood clotting.

Prothrombinase

An enzyme that triggers the final clotting mechanism by converting prothrombin into thrombin in the presence of $Ca^{++}$.

Fibrin

The solid threads formed when thrombin converts the plasma protein fibrinogen; it constitutes the final structure of a blood clot.

Serum

The fluid remaining after a clot has formed; it is similar to plasma but does not contain clotting factors.

Agglutinins

Antibodies found in plasma that may cause donor red blood cells to undergo clumping or agglutination.

Universal Donor

A person with Type O blood, whose RBCs lack A and B antigens and can be given to recipients of any ABO type.

Universal Receiver

A person with Type AB blood, who can receive blood of any ABO type because they lack antibodies against A and B antigens.

Rh Factor (D Antigen)

A specific antigen on the surface of RBCs that determines if a blood type is positive or negative; named after the Rhesus monkey.

Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN)

A condition (erythroblastosis fetalis) occurring when an Rh negative mother produces antibodies against an Rh positive baby; treated with RhoGAM.

Cryoprecipitate

A substance rich in fibrinogen and clotting factors that forms when frozen plasma (FFP) is thawed.

Pernicious Anemia

A nutritional anemia caused by a Vitamin $B_{12}$ deficiency due to a lack of intrinsic factor.

Thalassemia

A hereditary condition common in individuals of Mediterranean descent where RBCs are destroyed in the bone marrow before maturing.

Leukemia

A neoplastic disease characterized by a massive increase in incompetent white blood cells that crowd out other blood cells.

Hemophilia

A hereditary bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency in clotting Factor VIII.

Thrombocytopenia

A clotting disorder characterized by a deficiency of circulating platelets, leading to hemorrhage in the skin.

Hematocrit

A test measuring the percentage of RBCs in whole blood; normal range for men is $42\%$ to $54\%/dL$ and for women is $36\%$ to $46\%/dL$.

Leukocytosis

A white blood cell count above $10,000/mcL$, which typically indicates an infection.

Reticulocytes

Immature red blood cells that can be identified and counted using a blood slide smear to diagnose disease.

SMA (Sequential Multiple Analyzer)

A machine used for blood chemistries that can perform batteries of tests simultaneously on electrolytes, glucose, and enzymes.