Unit 20 Blood Anatomy and Physiology Vocabulary

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering blood components, formed elements, blood typing, and transfusion principles based on Unit 20 lab notes.

Plasma

The fluid portion of whole blood accounting for about $55\%$ of total blood volume, composed of approximately $90\%$ water, $9\%$ plasma proteins, and $1\%$ dissolved solutes.

Formed Elements

The cellular portion of whole blood accounting for about $45\%$ of total blood volume, consisting of erythrocytes, platelets, and leukocytes.

Albumin

A relatively large plasma protein synthesized by the liver that draws water into the blood via osmosis.

Gamma Globulins

Plasma proteins produced by B lymphocytes of the immune system, also known as antibodies, that bind to foreign antigens.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells that transport oxygen around the body on hemoglobin, constituting the most numerous blood cells, whose mature forms lack nuclei and most organelles.

Hemoglobin

An iron-containing protein inside erythrocytes that binds and transports oxygen through the blood.

Hematocrit

The percentage of total blood volume composed of erythrocytes, typically averaging $40\%$ to $50\%$ in males and $36\%$ to $44\%$ in females.

Platelets

Small cellular fragments lacking nuclei and most organelles that make up less than $1\%$ of total blood volume and participate in blood clotting.

Leukocytes

White blood cells that function in immunity and constitute less than $1\%$ of total blood volume, categorized as granulocytes or agranulocytes.

Granulocytes

A category of leukocytes containing cytoplasmic granules visible under microscopic staining, including neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

Neutrophils

The most abundant leukocytes, accounting for $60\%$ to $70\%$ of total leukocytes, characterized by multilobed nuclei and light violet-pink granules that ingest and destroy bacteria.

Band Cells

Immature neutrophils whose nuclei consist of a single elongated lobe stretched into a U-shape.

Eosinophils

Granulocytes accounting for about $4\%$ of leukocytes, possessing bilobed nuclei and bright red granules, involved in allergic responses and anti-parasitic worm infections.

Basophils

The rarest leukocytes, accounting for fewer than $1\%$ of leukocytes, containing dark blue-purple granules that obscure their bilobed nuclei and participating in allergic responses.

Agranulocytes

A category of leukocytes that lack visible specific cytoplasmic granules, comprising lymphocytes and monocytes.

Lymphocytes

Agranulocytes with large spherical nuclei surrounded by a rim of light blue-purple cytoplasm, accounting for $20\%$ to $25\%$ of total leukocytes.

B Lymphocytes

A subpopulation of lymphocytes that produce antibodies which bind to specific foreign antigens.

T Lymphocytes

A subpopulation of lymphocytes that activate immune responses, destroy cancer cells, and destroy cells infected with viruses.

Monocytes

The largest leukocytes, constituting $3\%$ to $8\%$ of total leukocytes, featuring U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped nuclei and developing into macrophages upon exiting the bloodstream.

Macrophages

Highly active phagocytes that mature from monocytes after they leave the bloodstream.

Antigens

Specific glycoproteins present on cell surface membranes, such as erythrocytes, that bind specifically to matching antibodies.

ABO Blood Group

A blood typing classification determined by the presence or absence of A and B antigens on erythrocyte surfaces.

Antiserum

A testing solution containing antibodies produced by B lymphocytes that binds specifically to corresponding cell surface antigens.

Agglutination

The clumping together of antigens into antigen-antibody complexes caused by binding antibodies.

Transfusion Reaction

A life-threatening medical emergency occurring when recipient antibodies bind to foreign donor erythrocyte antigens, causing agglutination and hemolysis.

Hemolysis

The destruction and splitting of foreign or agglutinated erythrocytes by the immune system.

Universal Donor

Type $O-$ blood, which can be safely donated to any recipient blood type because its erythrocytes lack A, B, and Rh antigens.

Universal Recipient

Type $AB+$ blood, which can safely receive blood from any donor because its plasma contains no ABO or Rh antibodies.

Tallquist Paper

An absorbent paper test strip used to estimate hemoglobin concentration by comparing the color of fresh, wet blood on the paper to a reference color scale.