Blood Regulation and Functions

Flashcards based on the significance of blood regulation, functions, components, and associated disorders.

Regulation

Functions that maintain homeostasis in the body, including temperature and pH.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells responsible for gas transport.

Hematocrit

The percentage of blood volume that is made up of red blood cells.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

Anemia

A condition characterized by an abnormally low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

Polycythemia

An abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells.

Clot formation

The process initiated by plasma proteins and platelets to prevent blood loss.

Immunity agents

Substances such as antibodies and white blood cells carried in the blood to prevent infections.

Blood plasma

The straw-colored liquid component of blood that carries cells and nutrients.

Platelets

Cell fragments involved in clotting.

Oxygen loading

The process of hemoglobin binding to oxygen in the lungs.

Oxygen unloading

The release of oxygen from hemoglobin to the tissues.

Biconcave disc shape

The shape of red blood cells that maximizes surface area for gas exchange.

Ferritin

A protein that stores iron in the body.

Transferrin

A protein that transports iron in the blood.

Erythropoiesis

The process of formation of red blood cells.

Macrophages

Cells in the spleen that engulf and digest dying red blood cells.

Chronic hemorrhagic anemia

A type of anemia caused by persistent blood loss.

Blood doping

The practice of an athlete removing and reinfusing red blood cells to enhance performance.

Hemolytic anemia

Anemia resulting from the premature destruction of red blood cells.

Sickle-cell anemia

A genetic disorder causing abnormal hemoglobin that leads to misshaped red blood cells.

Oxygen transport

The primary function of red blood cells, carrying O2 from the lungs to tissues.

Hematopoiesis

Formation and development of blood cells.

Albumin

The most abundant plasma protein, functions as a carrier and helps maintain osmotic pressure.

Buffy coat

The thin, whitish layer of white blood cells and platelets in a spun tube of blood.

Macrophages' role in blood

Engulf and break down aging and dying red blood cells.

Erythrocyte lifespan

Red blood cells typically live for 100-120 days.

CO2 transport

20% of carbon dioxide binds to hemoglobin to be transported back to the lungs.

Erythroblast

An immature red blood cell in the development stages of erythropoiesis.

Bone marrow

The primary site for the production of blood cells in adults.

EPO (erythropoietin)

Hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells.

Iron-deficiency anemia

Anemia caused by a deficiency of iron leading to the production of small pale red blood cells.

Deoxyhemoglobin

Hemoglobin without oxygen, giving blood a dark red color.

Oxyhemoglobin

Hemoglobin carrying oxygen, giving blood a ruby red color.

Aging red blood cells

Become fragile and are destroyed primarily in the spleen.

Reticulocyte count

A measure of the number of young red blood cells in the blood.

Hemoglobin content

Globin protein with a red pigment heme, crucial for oxygen transport.

Bilirubin

A yellow pigment formed from the breakdown of heme, excreted in bile.

Stercobilin

A brown pigment in feces resulting from bilirubin degradation.

Hypoxia

A deficiency of oxygen in the tissues.

Growth factors

Substances that promote the development of blood cells in erythropoiesis.

Vascular channels

Small blood vessels where aging red blood cells can become trapped.

White blood cells

Immune cells involved in the body’s defense against infection.

Erythrocyte disorders

Conditions affecting the number and function of red blood cells.

Hemoglobin S mutation

Genetic change causing sickle-cell anemia.

Fluids in the blood

Blood consists of plasma and formed elements like red and white blood cells.

8% of body weight

The approximate total volume of blood as a percentage of total body weight.

Environmental adaptation

Genetic conditions like sickle-cell anemia providing some advantages in malaria-prone areas.

Survival of blood cells

Most blood cell types survive only a few days in circulation.

Transporting hormones

A function of blood that involves carrying hormones from glands to target organs.

Essential nutrients for erythropoiesis

Includes amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, Vitamin B12, and folic acid.