Human Physiology - Cardiovascular System and Blood

This set of flashcards encompasses key concepts related to the cardiovascular system, blood functions, composition, coagulation mechanisms, and the significance of blood types in human physiology.

What are the three main components of the cardiovascular system?

Blood, heart, and blood vessels.

What is the primary function of blood?

Transportation of oxygen, nutrients, and wastes; regulation of body temperature and pH; protection against disease.

What percentage of whole blood is made up of plasma and formed elements?

About 55% plasma and 45% formed elements.

What is hematocrit?

The percentage of total blood volume occupied by red blood cells.

What is erythropoiesis?

The process of red blood cell (RBC) formation.

What is the function of hemoglobin?

To bind and transport oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.

What role do leukocytes play in the body?

They protect against pathogens and play a key role in the immune response.

What are the three main mechanisms of hemostasis?

Vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and coagulation.

What initiates the extrinsic pathway of coagulation?

Tissue factor (TF) released from damaged tissues.

What is the primary difference between agglutination and coagulation?

Agglutination is an antigen-antibody reaction leading to clumping of red blood cells, while coagulation is a hemostatic process involving platelets and clotting factors.

Explain the importance of Vitamin K in blood clotting.

Vitamin K is necessary for the production of functional clotting factors, influencing proper clot formation.

What determines a person's blood type in the ABO system?

The presence or absence of A and B antigens on the surface of red blood cells.

How do antibodies in plasma affect blood transfusions?

Antibodies can react with incompatible antigens on donor red blood cells, causing agglutination and hemolysis.

What factors do erythropoiesis require?

Iron, globin proteins, vitamin B12, folate, and erythropoietin (EPO).

What is the role of thrombin in coagulation?

Thrombin converts fibrinogen to fibrin, forming a stable mesh that reinforces the platelet plug.

What is the significance of anticoagulants in preventing clotting in healthy blood vessels?

Anticoagulants prevent inappropriate clot formation in healthy blood vessels, ensuring smooth blood flow.

What occurs during platelet plug formation?

Platelets adhere to exposed collagen, become activated, and aggregate to form a temporary seal at the site of injury.

What are the three main components of the cardiovascular system?

Blood, heart, and blood vessels.

What is the primary function of blood?

Transportation of oxygen, nutrients, and wastes; regulation of body temperature and pH; protection against disease.

What percentage of whole blood is made up of plasma and formed elements?

About 55\% plasma and 45\% formed elements.

What is hematocrit?

The percentage of total blood volume occupied by red blood cells.

What is erythropoiesis?

The process of red blood cell (RBC) formation.

What is the function of hemoglobin?

To bind and transport oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.

What role do leukocytes play in the body?

They protect against pathogens and play a key role in the immune response.

What are the three main mechanisms of hemostasis?

Vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and coagulation.

What initiates the extrinsic pathway of coagulation?

Tissue factor (TF) released from damaged tissues.

What is the primary difference between agglutination and coagulation?

Agglutination is an antigen-antibody reaction leading to clumping of red blood cells, while coagulation is a hemostatic process involving platelets and clotting factors.

Explain the importance of Vitamin K in blood clotting.

Vitamin K is necessary for the production of functional clotting factors, influencing proper clot formation.

What determines a person's blood type in the ABO system?

The presence or absence of A and B antigens on the surface of red blood cells.

How do antibodies in plasma affect blood transfusions?

Antibodies can react with incompatible antigens on donor red blood cells, causing agglutination and hemolysis.

What factors do erythropoiesis require?

Iron, globin proteins, vitamin B_{12}, folate, and erythropoietin (EPO).

What is the role of thrombin in coagulation?

Thrombin converts fibrinogen to fibrin, forming a stable mesh that reinforces the platelet plug.

What is the significance of anticoagulants in preventing clotting in healthy blood vessels?

Anticoagulants prevent inappropriate clot formation in healthy blood vessels, ensuring smooth blood flow.

What occurs during platelet plug formation?

Platelets adhere to exposed collagen, become activated, and aggregate to form a temporary seal at the site of injury.

What is the significance of the Rh factor in blood typing?

It refers to the presence or absence of the D antigen; those with the antigen are Rh^+ and those without are Rh^-, which is critical for transfusion compatibility.

Where is erythropoietin (EPO) primarily produced and what is its trigger?

It is produced mainly in the kidneys in response to hypoxia (O_2 deficiency) to stimulate red blood cell production.

What is the average lifespan of an erythrocyte (red blood cell)?

Approximately 120 days.

List the five types of white blood cells (leukocytes).

Neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.

How does blood serum differ from plasma?

Serum is the liquid portion of blood remaining after a clot has formed; it lacks the clotting proteins like fibrinogen found in plasma.

Define anemia and its general impact on the body.

A condition characterized by a reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, often leading to fatigue due to low RBC count or low hemoglobin levels.

What is fibrinolysis and which enzyme mediates it?

The process of dissolving a blood clot after healing; the enzyme plasmin is responsible for breaking down the fibrin mesh.