Blood Components

Flashcards based on some slides on Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells, and Platelets. This is a combination of three flashcard sets; see my profile for the individual sets.

Red blood cells

Blood cells that carry oxygen and nutrients throughout the body; uses structure to grab iron and oxygen for transport

Shaped as a biconcave disc at 5 million per cc and no nuclei

White blood cells

Blood cells with an immune function

Splenomegaly

Enlargement of the spleen

Causes:

• Leukemia

• Mononucleosis (viral)

• Sickle cell disease

• Beta thalassemia

• Malaria

• Thrombocytopenia

Spleen functions

• Blood filtration

• RBC and iron recyclation

• Antibody production

Hypochromia

The loss of color usually with pale/less RBCs

Phlebotomist

Person trained to draw blood from a patient

Coney’s anemia (beta thalassemia)

An recessive inherited disorder inferfering with the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, leading to hypochromia (requires regular transfusions)

Blood components

• Cells (RBCs, WBCs, platelets) at 45%

• Plasma (water, protein, amino acids) at 55%

Centrifuge

Device that spins blood samples to allow cells to settle to determine percentages

Hematocrit

The percentage of blood and plasma; usually at 45-55 balance

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells

Leukocytes

White blood cells

Thrombocytes

Platelets

Hemoglobin

A protein that contains iron to transport oxygen

Iron-deficient anemia

Anemia caused by a low amount of iron

Hematopoiesis

The formation of blood cells within the bone marrow

Erythropoietin

A hormone that increases red blood cell levels, sometimes used as a performance-enhancing drug

Oxyhemoglobin

Hemoglobin with more oxygen; appears bright red

Deoxyhemoglobin

Hemoglobin with less oxygen; appears dark red

Veins

Vessels which return blood to heart

Arteries

Vessels which send blood to tissues from heart

Sickle cell disease

Genetically recessive disorder with abnormally-shaped RBCs; caused by DNA mutation with incorrect hemoglobin formation

Symptoms include splenomegaly, fatigue, pain, strokes, shortness of breath

Leukemia

A type of blood cancer

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

The most common type of childhood leukemia (75% of all cancers), it progresses quickly

Leukocytes

Another name for white blood cells

Granulocytes

White blood cells with granular cytoplasms; inlcudes neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils

Agranulocytes

White blood cells without granular cytoplasms; includes monocytes and lymphocytes

Neutrophil

Type of granulocyte with multi-lobed nucleus; has active phagocytes for bacteria and makes up 60% of white blood cells (present in pus)

Eosinophil

Type of granulocyte that attacks parasites and makes up 2% of white blood cells

Basophil

Type of granulocyte that produces heparin (a blood thinner) and histamines to increase flow

Dermatographia

Condition where the immune system releases excess histamine, causing welts to appear when lightly scratched

Cold urticaria

Condition where hives or large welts form on the skin due to a cold stimulus

Monocyte

A type of agranulocyte with a large cell and horseshoe shaped nucleus; can become macrophages or dendritic cells (signallers)

Lymphocyte

A type of agranulocyte that is the main defense of the immune system; produces antibodies that are 30% of WBC count

Mononucleosis

Also called “mono” or the “kissing disease,” it’s caused by the Epstein-Barr virus

More lymphocytes enter the bloodstream; the virus is very common and can be solved with rest

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Virus that weakens the immune cells by infecting specific immune cells; not necessarily paired with AIDS

Infection occurs with bodily fluid exposure

AIDS

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; condition where immune cells fall and can allow opportunistic infections (no cure available)

Leukemia treatment phases

1. Remission induction

2. Consolidation

3. Maintenance

Chemotherapy

The use of drugs that target cancer cells; can also target healthy cells with hair loss, digestive issues, lower red blood cells, and weakened immune systems

Platelets (thrombocytes)

Help initiate formation of blood clots; they close breaks in damaged blood vessels

Blood plasma

Transports nutrients, gases, vitamins, fluids, and maintains electrolytes and pH

Plasma proteins

• Albumins

• Globulins

• Fibrinogens

Albumin

Plasma protein for blood pressure

Globulin

Plasma protein for antibody transport

Fibrinogen

Plasma protein for blood clotting

Multiple myeloma cancer

Cancer that affects plasma cells by crowding out healthy cells and producing harmful antibodies

Hemostasis

The process of stopping bleeding; involves coagulation and clotting of blood to seal site of damage

Hemostasis events

1. Vascular spasm

2. Platelet plug formation

3. Coagulation

Serotonin

A vasoconstrictor that aids in the vascular spasm

Thrombin

An enzyme in blood plasma that causes clotting by converting fibrinogen to fibrin

Coagulation

The thickening of blood to form a clot

Hematoma

Another name for a clot

Thrombus

An abnormally placed blood clot, such as within an artery or the heart

Embolus

When a clot within a vessel moves to another place, thus creating a blockage

Pulmonary embolism

An embolism (movement of blood clot) that moves to the lungs

Cerebral embolism

An embolism (movement of blood clot) that moves to the brain

Vitamin K

Can be injected to prevent deficiency bleeding in newborns

Hemophilia (bleeder’s disease)

Sex-linked recessive condition where blood does not clot

5 L

The amount of blood in the human body

0.5 L

The amount of blood taken in a donation

Blood donation uses

Purposes:

• Hemophiliac clotting factor replacement

• Sickle cell reduction

• Injury or surgery blood replenishment