Blood, Lymphatic & Immune System Review

Flashcards cover major lecture themes: plasma proteins, blood tests, erythropoiesis, hemoglobin, leukocytes, hemostasis, cardiovascular flow, thermoregulation/fever, innate vs adaptive immunity, T & B cell functions, MHC roles, immunological memory, categories of immunity, and key lymphatic organs.

Which plasma protein makes up about 60 % of total plasma proteins and is therefore the most abundant?

Albumin

If a plasma component exceeds 50 % of the total, how is its abundance described?

It is the most abundant component.

Where are most plasma proteins, including albumin and fibrinogen, synthesized?

The liver

Which plasma protein is NOT produced by the liver?

(Most) Globulins

What laboratory test measures the packed cell volume of red blood cells?

Hematocrit

Normal female hematocrit range (≈)?

37 – 48 % (≈42 % average)

During erythrocyte homeostasis, a drop in blood oxygen is detected by which organs?

The kidneys (and to a lesser extent the liver)

Name the hormone released in response to low blood O₂ that stimulates red-blood-cell production.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

EPO targets which tissue to increase RBC production?

Red bone marrow

How many heme groups and how many iron atoms are found in one hemoglobin molecule?

4 hemes and 4 iron atoms

Primary function of hemoglobin?

Transport of oxygen

Formed elements that defend the body against disease-causing organisms are called .

Leukocytes (white blood cells)

Which leukocytes exit the bloodstream and differentiate into macrophages?

Monocytes

Slightly elevated monocyte count often indicates what?

Ongoing tissue repair or chronic infection

Which formed elements create a temporary plug during hemostasis?

Platelets (thrombocytes)

All three stages of hemostasis involve which formed element?

Platelets

Which enzyme converts fibrinogen into fibrin?

Thrombin

Which ventricle pumps oxygenated blood through the aortic valve?

The left ventricle

Which ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood through the pulmonary valve?

The right ventricle

The tricuspid valve prevents backflow of blood between which two heart chambers?

Right ventricle and right atrium

Which brain region regulates body temperature and is responsible for fever?

The hypothalamus

How does the hypothalamus raise body temperature during fever?

By promoting vasoconstriction of skin vessels, reducing heat loss

Why can high humidity make heat exposure dangerous?

Sweat evaporates poorly, so excess body heat cannot be removed effectively

Innate (nonspecific) immunity includes which first-line physical barrier?

Intact skin (epidermis)

Adaptive (specific) immunity relies primarily on which two lymphocyte types?

B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes

Cell-mediated (cellular) immunity is carried out by which lymphocytes?

T cells

Humoral immunity is executed by which lymphocytes and how?

B cells; they differentiate into plasma cells that secrete antibodies

Helper T cells are designated as CD-__ cells and perform what key role?

CD-4; they coordinate and regulate the entire immune response

Cytotoxic T cells are designated as CD-__ cells and do what?

CD-8; they directly kill infected or cancerous cells

Which HIV-targeted lymphocytes, when destroyed, lead to AIDS?

Helper T (CD-4) cells

MHC-I molecules present antigens to which T cell subtype?

Cytotoxic T cells

MHC-II molecules present antigens to which T cell subtype?

Helper T cells

Name the proteins cytotoxic T cells release to kill target cells.

Perforin (forms pores) and granzymes (digestive enzymes)

Why are memory cells essential for vaccination?

They enable a rapid secondary immune response upon re-exposure to the antigen.

Define natural active immunity.

Immunity acquired by experiencing and recovering from an infection

Define artificial active immunity.

Immunity produced by vaccination

Define natural passive immunity.

Temporary immunity gained from antibodies passed from mother to child (e.g., via breast milk)

Define artificial passive immunity.

Temporary immunity from receiving pre-formed antibodies (e.g., antivenom)

Which lymphoid organ filters blood and contains red and white pulp?

The spleen

Name the three sets of tonsils forming a ring at the entrance of the pharynx.

Pharyngeal (adenoid), palatine, and lingual tonsils

In the thymus, what structure is characteristic of the medulla and aids in T-cell maturation?

Hassall’s corpuscle