The Circulatory System: Blood

Flashcards about the circulatory system and blood components.

Circulatory System

Consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.

Cardiovascular System

Refers only to the heart and blood vessels.

Blood

A liquid connective tissue consisting of cells and extracellular matrix.

Plasma

The matrix of blood; clear, light yellow fluid.

Formed Elements

Blood cells and cell fragments including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells (RBCs).

Leukocytes

White blood cells (WBCs).

Hematocrit

The percentage of total blood volume composed of RBCs.

Serum

The remaining fluid when blood clots and solids are removed (identical to plasma except for the absence of fibrinogen).

Plasma Proteins

Include albumins, globulins, and fibrinogen.

Albumins

Smallest and most abundant plasma proteins; contribute to viscosity and osmolarity, influencing blood pressure, flow, and fluid balance.

Globulins

Plasma proteins (antibodies) that provide immune system functions (alpha, beta, and gamma globulins).

Fibrinogen

A plasma protein that is the precursor of fibrin threads that help form blood clots.

Hypoproteinemia

Deficiency of plasma proteins.

Hematopoiesis

Production of blood, especially its formed elements.

Erythropoiesis

RBC production.

Hemoglobin

A protein in RBCs that facilitates O2 delivery to tissues and enhances CO2 transport to lungs.

Hypoxemia

Low O2 levels that increases erythropoiesis.

Polycythemia

An excess of RBCs.

Anemia

A deficiency of RBCs or hemoglobin.

Agglutinogens

Antigens on the surface of the RBC that are the basis for blood typing.

Antibodies

Proteins (gamma globulins) secreted by plasma cells that bind to antigens and mark them for destruction.

Agglutination

Clumping of red blood cells caused by antibodies binding to antigens.

Hemolysis

RBCs rupture.

Leukopenia

Low WBC count (below 5,000 WBCs/μL).

Leukocytosis

High WBC count (above 10,000 WBCs/μL).

Leukemia

Cancer of hematopoietic tissue, usually producing a very high number of circulating leukocytes.

Hemostasis

The cessation of bleeding.

Thrombopoiesis

Platelet production.

Vascular Spasm

Prompt constriction of a broken vessel; most immediate protection against blood loss.

Coagulation

Clotting; conversion of plasma protein fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin threads to form the framework of a clot.

Fibrinolysis

Dissolution of a clot.

Hemophilia

Family of hereditary diseases characterized by deficiencies of one clotting factor or another.

Thrombosis

Abnormal formation of a clot (thrombus) in an unbroken vessel.

Embolus

Anything that can travel in the blood and block blood vessels.