Blood and Circulatory System

Flashcards about blood and the circulatory system for exam review.

What is blood?

Liquid tissue composed of cells and extracellular matrix.

What does the circulatory system consist of?

Heart, blood vessels, and blood.

What does the cardiovascular system refer to?

Heart and blood vessels.

What are the functions of the circulatory system?

Transport, protection, and regulation.

What does the circulatory system transport?

O2, CO2, nutrients, wastes, hormones, and stem cells.

How does the circulatory system provide protection?

Inflammation, limit spread of infection, destroy microorganisms and cancer cells, neutralize toxins, and initiate clotting.

How does the circulatory system regulate?

Fluid balance, stabilizes pH of ECF, and temperature control.

How much blood do adults have?

4 to 6 L

What are the components of blood?

Plasma and formed elements.

What are erythrocytes?

Red blood cells (RBCs).

What are platelets?

Cell fragments from special cells in bone marrow.

What are leukocytes?

White blood cells (WBCs).

What are the granulocytes?

Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

What are the agranulocytes?

Lymphocytes and monocytes.

What percentage of blood volume do erythrocytes make up?

37% to 52%

What is plasma composed of?

Water, proteins, nutrients, electrolytes, nitrogenous wastes, hormones, and gases.

What is serum?

Remaining fluid when blood clots and solids are removed.

What are the three major categories of plasma proteins?

Albumins, globulins, and fibrinogen.

What is the function of albumins?

Contribute to viscosity and osmolarity; influence blood pressure, flow, and fluid balance.

What is the function of globulins?

Provide immune system functions.

What is the function of fibrinogen?

Precursor of fibrin threads that help form blood clots.

Which organ forms plasma proteins?

Liver.

What nitrogenous compounds are found in plasma?

Free amino acids and nitrogenous wastes (urea).

What nutrients are found in plasma?

Glucose, vitamins, fats, cholesterol, phospholipids, and minerals.

What is hemopoiesis?

Production of blood, especially its formed elements.

What produces blood cells?

Yolk sac, fetal bone marrow, liver, spleen and thymus, and red bone marrow.

What is myeloid hemopoiesis?

Blood formation in the bone marrow.

What is lymphoid hemopoiesis?

Blood formation in the lymphatic organs.

What is the function of erythrocytes?

Carry oxygen and carbon dioxide.

What is the function of platelets?

Involved in blood clotting.

What is the function of leukocytes?

Various functions.

What are the two principal functions of erythrocytes?

Carry oxygen from lungs to cell tissues and pick up CO2 from tissues and bring to lungs.

What is the shape of an erythrocyte?

Disc-shaped cell with thick rim.

How do erythrocytes produce ATP?

Anaerobic fermentation to produce ATP.

What does each hemoglobin molecule consist of?

Four protein chains (globins) and four heme groups.

What is hematocrit?

Percentage of whole blood volume composed of RBCs.

What do leukocytes protect against?

Protect against infectious microorganisms and other pathogens.

What are platelets fragments of?

Small fragments of megakaryocyte cells.

What is hemostasis?

The cessation of bleeding.

What are the three hemostatic mechanisms?

Vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and blood clotting (coagulation).