Blood and the Cardiovascular System

Practice flashcards covering key concepts and functions related to blood and the cardiovascular system.

What percentage of total body weight does blood constitute?

8% of total body weight.

What are the main functions of blood?

Transport, regulation, and protection.

What is the primary component of plasma?

Water, which makes up 91% of plasma.

What percentage of blood is composed of formed elements?

45%.

How many red blood cells (RBCs) are typically found per cubic millimeter in adults?

4.2-6.2 million RBCs per cubic millimeter.

Name the five types of white blood cells (WBCs).

Neutrophils, Eosinophils, Basophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes.

Which hormone stimulates red blood cell production?

Erythropoietin.

What do platelets primarily do in the body?

Involved in hemostasis and preventing blood loss.

What is the role of antibodies in blood transfusions?

They react with incompatible antigens leading to agglutination.

What process do leukocytes use to exit the bloodstream?

Emigration.

What does the term 'hematocrit' refer to?

Percentage of RBCs in the blood.

What two major factors stimulate the production of white blood cells (WBCs)?

Cytokines and colony stimulating factors (CSFs).

What three factors are essential for red blood cell development?

Vitamin B12, intrinsic factor, and iron.

What changes occur in platelets during hemostasis?

Adhesion, aggregation, and clot formation.

What are the two pathways of the coagulation cascade?

Intrinsic and Extrinsic pathways.