Blood Composition and Functions

These flashcards cover the key concepts related to the composition and functions of blood, including hematopoiesis, blood cell types, hemostasis, blood grouping, and related medical considerations.

What are the main functions of blood?

Transportation, protection, and regulation.

What are the components of blood?

Blood is composed of plasma and cellular elements.

What cellular elements are found in blood?

Red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes).

What are the three major plasma proteins and their functions?

Albumins (osmotic pressure, transport), Globulins (immune functions, transport), Fibrinogen (clotting).

What is the function of albumin in blood plasma?

Maintaining osmotic pressure and transporting substances like fatty acids and hormones.

What is the primary role of globulins in blood plasma?

Immune functions (as antibodies) and transport of various substances.

What is the function of fibrinogen in blood plasma?

Essential for blood clotting.

What is the primary function of an erythrocyte?

Transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide.

What protein in erythrocytes is responsible for oxygen transport?

Hemoglobin.

List the types of leukocytes and their roles.

Neutrophils (bacterial infection), Eosinophils (parasites, allergies), Basophils (histamine), Monocytes (phagocytosis), Lymphocytes (immune defense).

What is the primary role of neutrophils?

Phagocytize bacteria and are typically the first responders to bacterial infections.

What is the primary role of eosinophils?

Combat parasitic infections and play a role in allergic reactions.

What is the primary role of basophils?

Release histamine and other mediators of inflammation during allergic reactions.

What is the primary role of monocytes?

Phagocytize pathogens and debris, and differentiate into macrophages in tissues.

What is the primary role of lymphocytes in immune defense?

Mediate specific immune responses, including T cells (cellular immunity) and B cells (humoral immunity).

What is a thrombocyte?

A platelet involved in blood clotting.

What structures are involved in hematopoiesis?

Yolk sac, liver, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, bone marrow.

Where does hematopoiesis primarily occur in adults?

Red bone marrow.

What are the earliest sites of hematopoiesis during fetal development?

The yolk sac, followed by the liver and spleen.

What is the role of lymph nodes and the thymus in hematopoiesis?

They are involved in the maturation and storage of lymphocytes.

What is the difference between red and yellow bone marrow?

Red marrow is involved in blood cell production; yellow marrow contains fat cells.

Define pluripotential stem cell.

A stem cell that can give rise to multiple blood cell types.

What is erythropoietin and its role?

A hormone that stimulates red blood cell production.

Where is erythropoietin primarily produced?

In the kidneys.

What is the composition of plasma?

92% water, 7% plasma proteins, 1% electrolytes and other solutes.

Besides water and plasma proteins, what are some other solutes found in plasma?

Nutrients (glucose, amino acids), waste products (urea, creatinine), hormones, and gases.

What are the primary electrolytes in plasma?

Sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+).

Describe the process of hemopoiesis.

Formation of blood cells in various organs during different developmental stages.

What are the basic mechanisms involved in hemostasis?

Vasoconstriction, platelet plug formation, and coagulation.

What is the role of vasoconstriction in hemostasis?

To reduce blood flow to an injured vessel by narrowing its lumen.

What is platelet plug formation in hemostasis مسئلے?

Platelets adhere to the injured vessel wall and aggregate to form a temporary seal.

What is coagulation in hemostasis?

The process of blood clotting involving a cascade of clotting factors to form a fibrin mesh.

What is the final product of the coagulation cascade that forms the blood clot?

Fibrin.

What is the role of calcium and vitamin K in coagulation?

Both are essential for the clotting process.

How does Vitamin K contribute to blood coagulation?

It is essential for the synthesis of several clotting factors in the liver.

What are antigens and antibodies in regards to blood grouping?

Antigens are proteins on the surface of red blood cells; antibodies are in plasma that attack corresponding antigens.

Where are blood group antigens located?

On the surface of red blood cells.

Where are blood group antibodies primarily found?

In the blood plasma.

What are the main antigen systems used for blood grouping?

The ABO and Rh systems.

What is the difference between thrombus and embolus?

Thrombus is a fixed blood clot; embolus is a clot that has moved.

What can cause an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction?

Incompatible blood transfusion leading to agglutination of red blood cells.

What is agglutination in the context of blood transfusions?

The clumping of red blood cells due to antibody-antigen reactions, often leading to their destruction.