Key Terms Chapter 26

agglutination

The clumping of red blood cells following a blood transfusion.

Hematocrit

The percentage of the volume of a sample made up of red blood cells after the sample has been spun in a centrifuge.

Agranulocyte

A type of leucocyte (white blood cell) with a solid nucleus and clear cytoplasm; includes lymphocytes and monocytes. Also called agranular leukocyte.

Hemoglobin

A protein that contains iron and bonds with and carries oxygen to cells; the main component of erythrocytes.

Albumins

The smallest of the plasma proteins. Albumins are important for pulling water into the bloodstream to help maintain blood pressure.

Hemostasis

The stoppage of bleeding

Basophil

A type of granular leukocyte that produces the chemical histamine, which aids the body in promoting allergic reactions and other exaggerated immunologic responses.

Leukocyte

White blood cell

coagulation

The process by which a clot forms in blood.

Lymphocyte

Granular leukocytes formed in lymphoid tissue. Lymphocytes are generally small and include T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes.

eosinophil

A type of granular leukocyte that attacks parasites and destroys invading bacteria and antigen-antibody complexes through phagocytosis.

Monocyte

A type of agranular leukocyte that performs phagocytosis and circulates throughout the blood for a very short period of time. It then migrates to specific tissues and is called a macrophage.

erythrocyte

Red blood cell

Neutrophil

A type of granular leukocyte that aids in phagocytosis by attacking bacterial invaders; also responsible for the release of pyrogens.

Erythropoietin

A hormone secreted by the kidney and responsible for regulating the production of red blood cells.

Platelets

Fragments of cytoplasm in the blood that are crucial to clot formation; also called thrombocytes.

Fibrinogen

A protein found in plasma that is important for blood clotting.

Serum

The liquid portion of blood (plasma) when all of the clotting factors have been removed.

Globulins

Plasma proteins that transport lipids and some vitamins; some are antibodies that defend the body from pathogens.

Thrombocytes

Fragments of cytoplasm in the blood that are crucial to clot formation; also called platelets.

Granulocyte

A type of leucocyte (white blood cell) with a segmented nucleus and granulated cytoplasm; also known as a polymorphonuclear leukocyte or granular leucocyte.

Thrombus

A blood clot that forms on the inside of an injured blood vessel wall.