Chapter 6: Blood Study Questions and Concepts

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the components, functions, cell types, blood typing compatibility, and associated blood disorders from Chapter 6: Blood.

Transport Function of Blood

The vital function of blood in carrying oxygen and nutrients to cells, carrying wastes such as carbon dioxide and urea away from cells to the lungs and kidneys, and moving immune cells and molecules to infection sites.

Temperature Regulation (Blood)

The mechanism by which skin blood vessels dilate to move closer to the surface to release heat when hot, or constrict to move deeper away from the surface to conserve heat when cold.

Formed Elements

The cellular components of blood, which include red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells, and platelets.

Blood Plasma

The liquid component or matrix of blood in which formed elements and various dissolved solutes are suspended.

Plasma Proteins

Proteins dissolved in blood plasma that transport insoluble molecules (like cholesterol and iron), maintain osmotic pressure in blood vessels, act as antibodies against infection, and assist in clotting.

Osmotic Pressure Maintenance (Plasma Proteins)

The function of plasma proteins keeping the correct volume of water inside blood vessels by maintaining solute concentration, preventing fluid loss that could cause circulatory shock.

Shock

A drastic loss of blood pressure caused by decreased blood volume when water leaves the blood vessels.

Fibrinogen

A plasma protein that works together with platelets to form blood clots.

Plasma Solutes

Dissolved molecules in blood plasma including nutrients (sugars, amino acids, salts, vitamins), waste molecules (urea, ammonia, creatinine), and dissolved carbon dioxide gas.

Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Stem cells located in the red bone marrow inside bones that continuously produce all blood cells on a daily basis.

Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells)

Formed elements whose primary function is to bind oxygen and transport it throughout the body.

Hemoglobin

The molecule located inside red blood cells that binds oxygen and gives red blood cells their characteristic color.

White Blood Cells

Formed elements of the immune system whose primary function is to fight infections.

Platelets

Cell fragments released into the bloodstream by megakaryocytes that function to clot blood and seal damaged blood vessels.

Megakaryocytes

Cells located in the red bone marrow that develop from hematopoietic stem cells and release fragments into the blood, which become platelets.

ABO Blood Group System

A blood classification system determined by the presence or absence of carbohydrate chains on red blood cells: A chain (Type A), B chain (Type B), both chains (Type AB), or neither chain (Type O).

Type O Blood

Blood possessing neither the A nor B carbohydrate chain on the surface of its cells; acts as a universal donor to A, B, AB, and O recipients because it triggers no ABO carbohydrate immune response.

Type AB Blood

Blood possessing both A and B carbohydrate chains on cell surfaces; can receive red blood cells from types O, A, B, and AB, but can only donate to type AB recipients.

Rhesus (Rh) Factor Compatibility

The transfusion rule where rhesus negative blood can be given to a rhesus positive recipient, but rhesus positive blood cannot be given to a rhesus negative recipient because it triggers an immune response against the rhesus antigen.

Hemolytic Anemia of the Newborn

A condition occurring when a rhesus negative mother develops antibodies against the rhesus antigen of a rhesus positive fetus, crossing the placenta and destroying the fetal red blood cells.

Anemia

A blood disorder characterized by a deficiency in the ability of red blood cells to transport sufficient oxygen around the body.

Leukemia

A cancer of blood cells resulting in insufficient normal blood cells in circulation, leading to anemia and immune deficiency.

Mononucleosis (Mono)

A blood disorder caused by a viral infection of a type of white blood cell.

Hemophilia

A group of blood disorders (A, B, and C) caused by a deficiency of a specific clotting factor needed to form substantial fibrin threads, preventing normal blood clot formation despite functioning platelets.