The Transport System and Blood Composition

Vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes regarding the transport system, the composition of uncoagulated blood, and the specific functions of blood components.

Transport system

The system responsible for the transport of substances to and from cells, including the delivery of $O_2$ and nutrients like glucose, and the removal of $CO_2$, $H_2O$, and waste products.

Blood plasma

A mixture making up $55\%$ of ungestold bloed (unclotted blood), consisting of $90\%$ water, $0,5\%$ fibrinogeen (clotting protein), and $9.5\%$ dissolved substances such as nutrients, hormones, and waste.

Blood corpuscles (Bloedlichaampjes)

consisting of rode bloedcellen (red blood cells), witte bloedcellen (white blood cells), and bloedplaatjes (blood platelets).

Red blood cells (Rode bloedcellen)

Red, disc-shaped cells without a nucleus, with a diameter of $"\pm 0,008\,mm"$, numbering $4,5$ to $5$ million/$mm^3$, used for gas exchange and transport of $O_2$ and $CO_2$. They have a lifespan of $120$ days.

White blood cells (Witte bloedcellen)

Colorless, spherical cells with a nucleus, with a diameter of $"\pm 0,01\,mm"$, numbering $6\,000$ to $8\,000/mm^3$, used for fighting pathogens through fagocytose and antistoffen production. They have a lifespan of $3$ to $5$ days.

Blood platelets (Bloedplaatjes)

Colorless structures with no fixed shape and no nucleus, with a diameter of $"\pm 0,003\,mm"$, numbering $300\,000/mm^3$, used for blood clotting. They have a lifespan of $5$ to $7$ days.

Fibrinogeen

A specific clotting protein (stollingseiwit) found in blood plasma that, together with blood platelets, forms a network of fibrinedraden (fibrin threads) during blood clotting.

Thermoregulation

A function of blood plasma that ensures the body temperature remains constant.

Fagocytose (Phagocytosis)

The process of 'cell eating' used by white blood cells to defend the body against pathogens.

Red bone marrow (Rode beenmerg)

The primary formation site for red blood cells, white blood cells, and blood platelets.

Liver (Lever)

A common site for the breakdown of red blood cells, white blood cells, and blood platelets.