Module 8: Fluid Compartments and Blood Functions

What is intracellular fluid (ICF) and what are its major solutes?

Fluid inside cells; major solutes include K⁺, Mg²⁺, phosphate.

What is Extracellular fluid (ECF) and what are its major solutes?

Fluid outside cells; major solutes include Na⁺, Cl⁻, bicarbonate.

What is osmolarity?

The total concentration of solutes per litre of solution.

What is osmosis?

Water moves across membranes to balance solute concentrations between compartments.

What is one function of blood related to transport?

Transport of gases, nutrients, waste, and hormones.

What is a regulatory function of blood?

Regulation of temperature, pH, and fluid volume.

How does blood protect the body?

Protection against blood loss through clotting.

What role do white blood cells and antibodies play in blood?

Protection against infection.

What is the primary component of blood?

Plasma

What percentage of plasma is water?

90%

Name three types of proteins found in plasma.

Albumin, globulins, fibrinogen

What are the nutrients found in plasma?

glucose, vitamins, fats, cholesterol, phospholipids, and minerals

What types of electrolytes are present in plasma?

sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride, and calcium

What gases are found in plasma?

Oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen

What are the formed elements of blood?

Erythrocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytes

What are erythrocytes commonly known as?

Red blood cells (RBCs)

What are leukocytes commonly known as?

White blood cells (WBCs)

What are thrombocytes commonly known as?

Platelets

Lifecycle of erythrocytes (RBCs)

Produced in red bone marrow (erythropoiesis, stimulated by EPO); Lifespan: ~100-120 days; Destroyed by macrophages; iron is recycled, heme is turned into bilirubin.

Properties and function of haemoglobin

Made of 4 globin chains + 4 heme groups, each with iron to bind O₂; Transports O₂ (to tissues) and ~20% of CO₂ (from tissues); Affected by temperature, pH, PO₂, PCO₂.

What is the first step of haemostasis?

Vascular spasm - blood vessel constriction.

What occurs during platelet plug formation in haemostasis?

Platelets adhere to exposed collagen and release signals.

What is the final step of haemostasis?

Coagulation - clotting cascade forms fibrin mesh.

Role of clot retraction

Actin & myosin in platelets contract the clot.

Role of Tissue healing?

Growth factors stimulate new tissue growth.

What is Clot degradation?

Fibrinolysis: plasmin digests fibrin, dissolving the clot over days.

What is the basis of ABO blood grouping?

Based on A & B antigens on RBCs and antibodies in plasma.

What antigens and antibodies are present in type A blood?

A antigens and anti-B antibodies.

What antigens and antibodies are present in type B blood?

B antigens and anti-A antibodies.

What antigens and antibodies are present in type AB blood?

Both A and B antigens, no antibodies (universal recipient).

What antigens and antibodies are present in type O blood?

No antigens, both anti-A and anti-B antibodies (universal donor).

What is Rh factor D?

Rh⁺: has D antigen; Rh⁻: no D antigen, can form anti-D antibodies after exposure (e.g. pregnancy).

What are the steps of hemostasis?

Vascular spasm, Platelet plug formation, Coagulation