BIOL 2404: chapter 10 Blood

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to blood composition, functions, and associated disorders.

Formed elements

The type of cells found in blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Plasma

The non-cellular fluid matrix of blood, consisting primarily of water and proteins.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood.

Hematocrit

The percentage of blood volume that consists of red blood cells, typically around 45%.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that binds to oxygen for transport.

Buffy coat

The layer of connective tissue in blood that contains white blood cells and platelets.

pH of blood

Normal blood pH ranges from 7.35 to 7.45, crucial for maintaining proper body function.

Platelets

Cell fragments involved in the clotting process to prevent bleeding.

Anemia

A condition characterized by a deficiency in red blood cells or hemoglobin, leading to insufficient oxygen transport.

Sickle cell anemia

A genetic disorder causing red blood cells to assume a sickle shape, impairing their ability to transport oxygen.

Polycythemia

A condition marked by an abnormal increase in red blood cells, potentially causing blood clots.

Leukocytes

White blood cells responsible for immune response and protection against pathogens.

Chemotaxis

The movement of white blood cells towards the site of a chemical signal during infection or tissue damage.

Leukocytosis

An increase in white blood cell count, typically indicating an ongoing infection.

Leukopenia

A decrease in white blood cell count, potentially due to specific medications or infections.

Neutrophils

The most abundant type of white blood cells, acting as first responders to infections.

Eosinophils

White blood cells that combat parasites and are involved in allergic reactions.

Basophils

White blood cells that release heparin, an anticoagulant, during the immune response.

Lymphocytes

White blood cells that are vital for adaptive immunity, including B cells and T cells.

Monocytes

White blood cells that differentiate into macrophages and help fight chronic infections.

Hemostasis

The process of stopping bleeding, including vascular spasm and clot formation.

Thrombus

A clot that forms within a blood vessel and can obstruct blood flow.

Embolus

A traveling clot that can block smaller blood vessels.

Thrombocytopenia

A condition characterized by low platelet count, increasing risk of bleeding.

Hemophilia

A hereditary bleeding disorder due to absence of clotting factors.

Erythropoietin

A hormone released by the kidneys to stimulate red blood cell production.

Thrombopoietin

A hormone that stimulates the production of platelets.

Stem cells

Undifferentiated cells that can develop into various blood cells.

Hematopoiesis

The formation and development of blood cells from stem cells in the bone marrow.

Blood compatibility

The ability of different blood types to safely donate or receive blood.

Oxygen transport

The process by which oxygen is carried from the lungs to the body's tissues by hemoglobin.

Fluid matrix

The non-cellular component of blood that facilitates transport of dissolved substances.

Respiratory gases

Gases exchanged in the process of respiration, primarily oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Dehydration

A condition that occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, affecting blood plasma levels.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by the immune system to help identify and neutralize foreign objects.

Albumin

A protein in plasma that helps maintain osmotic pressure and blood pressure.

Clotting factors

Proteins in blood plasma that promote coagulation to stop bleeding.

Pathogen

An organism or substance that causes disease, including bacteria and viruses.

Infection

The invasion and multiplication of pathogens in the body.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions in the body, including blood composition.

Iron deficiency anemia

Anemia resulting from inadequate iron, affecting the production of hemoglobin.

Macrophages

Large white blood cells derived from monocytes that engulf and digest pathogens.

Centrifuge

A machine used to separate components of blood based on density.

Urinary system

An organ system that helps regulate blood pH and composition by excreting waste.

Respiratory system

An organ system that aids in maintaining blood pH through gas exchange processes.

Warm blood

Blood temperature is typically higher than body temperature, around 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Centrifugation

The process of using centrifugal force to separate components in a fluid, like blood.

Absence of organelles

Refers to erythrocytes which lack a nucleus and other organelles, impacting their lifespan.

Homeostasis of blood pH

Blood pH is maintained within a narrow range through various bodily systems.

Blood volume

The amount of blood in the body, typically 5 to 6 liters in a healthy adult.