Blood and Its Components

Blood

Liquid connective tissue that transports nutrients, gases, and waste.

CBC

Complete Blood Count, a test used to evaluate overall health and detect a variety of disorders.

Circulatory System

System comprising blood, heart, and blood vessels that transport substances throughout the body.

Oxygen (O2)

Gas essential for cellular respiration and energy production in tissues.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Waste product of cellular respiration transported from tissues to lungs for exhalation.

Plasma

Liquid matrix of blood containing water, proteins, nutrients, electrolytes, hormones, and waste.

Hematocrit

Percentage of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells that transport oxygen from the lungs to body tissues.

Leukocytes

White blood cells involved in protecting the body from infection.

Platelets

Cell fragments that play a crucial role in blood clotting.

Hemopoiesis

The production of blood cells, including erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets.

Antigens

Complex molecules on the surface of cell membranes that can trigger an immune response.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by plasma cells that bind to specific antigens to mark them for destruction.

Agglutination

Clumping of cells, specifically red blood cells, caused by the binding of antibodies to antigens.

Universal Donor

Blood type O, which lacks A and B antigens and can be given to any blood type.

Universal Recipient

Blood type AB, which has no antibodies and can receive any blood type.

Rh Group

Classification of blood based on the presence or absence of the Rh antigen.

Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN)

Condition where a Rh- mother has formed antibodies that can attack Rh+ fetal blood cells.

Coagulation

The process of blood clotting involving various factors and the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin.

Hemostasis

The process that prevents and stops bleeding, or hemorrhage.

Vascular spasm

Immediate constriction of a blood vessel in response to injury.

Platelet plug formation

The process in which platelets aggregate at the site of injury to form a temporary plug.

Thrombopoiesis

The production of platelets from megakaryocytes in the bone marrow.

Fibrinolysis

The dissolution of a clot by plasmin.

Thrombosis

Abnormal clotting in an unbroken blood vessel.

Embolism

The blockage of a blood vessel by a traveling clot or foreign material.

Erythrocytes Lifecycle

The process of development, function, and destruction of red blood cells.

Erythropoiesis

Production of red blood cells, stimulated by erythropoietin.

Iron Metabolism

The process of absorbing, transporting, and storing iron necessary for hemoglobin production.

Leukopoiesis

Production of white blood cells from stem cells.

Granulocytes

Type of white blood cells characterized by the presence of granules in their cytoplasm.

Agranulocytes

Type of white blood cells that lack granular cytoplasm.

Serum

Blood plasma from which fibrinogen and clotting factors have been removed.

Blood Viscosity

Resistance of blood to flow; thicker blood increases resistance.

Blood Osmolarity

Concentration of dissolved particles in the blood.

Plasma Proteins

Proteins in plasma, including albumins, globulins, and fibrinogen.

Albumins

The smallest and most abundant plasma proteins, important for osmotic pressure.

Globulins

Plasma proteins that function as antibodies in the immune response.

Fibrinogen

Plasma protein that is converted to fibrin to form blood clots.

Nitrogenous Wastes

Products of protein metabolism, such as urea, that are excreted by the kidneys.

Electrolytes

Ions in plasma that help maintain fluid balance and other physiological functions.

Thrombus

A blood clot that forms in a blood vessel and remains there.

Acute Renal Failure

A rapid decline in kidney function, often due to blockage of blood flow.

Embolus

An obstructive mass that travels in the bloodstream and may cause a blockage.

Infarction

Tissue death due to a lack of blood supply.

Thrombocytopenia

A condition characterized by low platelet count.

Hemophilia

A genetic disorder that affects the body's ability to control bleeding.

Macrophages

Large white blood cells that engulf and digest cellular debris and pathogens.

Spleen

Organ involved in the production of lymphocytes and the recycling of red blood cells.

Kidney

Organ that filters blood, removes waste, and regulates fluid balance.

Stabilization of Blood Pressure

Mechanisms that regulate and maintain appropriate blood pressure levels.

Growth Factors

Proteins that stimulate cell division and growth in tissues.

Prostacyclin

A molecule that inhibits platelet aggregation and promotes vasodilation.

Hemolysis

The destruction of red blood cells, releasing hemoglobin into the plasma.

Reticulocyte

An immature red blood cell released from the bone marrow into the bloodstream.

Lymphocytes

A type of white blood cell that is part of the immune response.

Differential White Blood Cell Count

Test that measures the percentage of each type of white blood cell.

Nutritional Anemia

Anemia caused by a deficiency of nutrients required for red blood cell production.

Oxygen Transport

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

Plasma Exchange

Medical procedure involving the removal and replacement of plasma from blood.

Leukemia

Cancer of the blood-forming tissues, leading to high numbers of abnormal white blood cells.

Transfusion Reaction

An immune response occurring due to the transfusion of incompatible blood.

Glucose

A simple sugar that is an important energy source for the body's cells.

Vitamins

Organic compounds necessary for various biochemical functions in the body.

Cholesterol

A type of fat found in the blood that is important for hormone production and cell membranes.

Plasma Cells

A type of B cell that produces antibodies.

Fibrin polymer

A long chain of fibrin that forms a mesh network in blood clots.

Prothrombin

A protein in blood plasma that is converted to thrombin during coagulation.

Thrombin

An enzyme that converts fibrinogen into fibrin during blood clotting.

Blood Sinusoids

Specialized capillaries in the bone marrow where blood cells are produced.

Macrophage Role in Hemolysis

Process by which macrophages break down aged red blood cells in the spleen and liver.

Calcium Ions (Ca2+)

Essential for blood coagulation and many cellular processes.

Factor XIII

A clotting factor that helps stabilize the fibrin mesh in a clot.

Stem Cells

Undifferentiated cells that can develop into various types of blood cells.

Myeloblasts

Immature cells that develop into granulocytes like neutrophils and basophils.

Monoblasts

Immature cells that develop into monocytes.

Lymphoblasts

Immature cells that develop into lymphocytes.

Sickle Cell Disease

Genetic disorder affecting hemoglobin structure, leading to distorted red blood cells.

Respiratory Failure

Inability of the respiratory system to supply adequate oxygen to the blood.

Pulmonary Circulation

Pathway of blood flow from the heart to the lungs and back.

Systemic Circulation

Pathway of blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body.

Anemia

A condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin.

Polycethemia

A condition characterized by an excess of red blood cells.

Volume of Blood

The total amount of blood in an adult, approximately 4-6 liters.

Medical Use of Plasma

Plasma is used in therapies for clotting disorders and to support patients.

Coagulation Pathways

The series of reactions that lead to blood clot formation.

Clinical Blood Tests

Tests that analyze components of blood to assess health status.

Blood Circulation Duration

The time it takes for blood to complete a full circuit through the body.

Fibrin Thread Formation

The process by which fibrinogen is converted to fibrin, forming a clot.

Colony-forming unit

Stem cells that differentiate into specific types of blood cells.

Endothelial Cells

Cells lining the blood vessels, important for maintaining vascular health.

Angiogenesis

The formation of new blood vessels from existing vessels.

Neutrophils

The most abundant type of white blood cell, crucial for immune defense.

Eosinophils

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

Basophils

A type of granulocyte involved in inflammatory responses and allergy.

Antigen Recognition

The ability of the immune system to identify foreign substances.

Immune Response

The body's defense mechanism against pathogens.

Histamine

A compound released during allergic reactions that increases blood flow.

Penicillin Effect

Antibiotic's ability to affect bacterial infections and its implications for blood.

Hematopoiesis

The process of forming blood cellular components.