Physiology of Blood and Body Fluids

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering body fluid compartments, blood composition (plasma, cells, and proteins), haematopoiesis, and common clinical conditions related to blood cell counts as described in the lecture by Ms. Shashini Ratnayake.

Intracellular fluid (ICF)

The body fluid compartment located inside tissue cells, comprising $2/3$ of total body water.

Extracellular fluid (ECF)

The body fluid compartment outside of cells, comprising $1/3$ of total body water, subdivided into interstitial fluid ($80\%$) and plasma ($20\%$).

Plasma

The liquid portion of blood ($55\%$ of total blood volume) containing $90\%$ water, $8\%$ proteins, and other solutes; it remains after all blood cells have been removed and contains clotting factors.

Serum

The liquid portion of blood that remains after blood has clotted and the clot has been removed; it is similar to plasma but lacks clotting factors and fibrinogen.

Albumin

A plasma protein responsible for osmotic balance, pH buffering, and regulation of membrane permeability.

Fibrinogen

A plasma protein specifically involved in the process of blood clotting.

Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells)

Biconcave disks without a nucleus, $6-8\,\mu m$ in diameter, with a life span of $120\,\text{days}$, primarily responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide via haemoglobin.

Leukocytes (White Blood Checks)

The largest blood cells ($8-20\,\mu m$), containing nuclei with DNA, primarily responsible for defense and immunity with a life span of $24\,\text{hours}$ to several years.

Thrombocytes (Platelets)

Small fragments from megakaryocyte cytoplasm ($1-4\,\mu m$), with a life span of $8-12\,\text{days}$, involved in the clotting process and sealing wounds.

Haematopoiesis

The maturation, development, and formation of all types of blood cells, primarily occurring in the red bone marrow of the axial skeleton.

Hemocytoblast

The stem cell that serves as the mitotic precursor to all blood cells before differentiation.

Erythropoiesis

The specific process of maturation, development, and formation of Red Blood Cells (erythrocytes).

Thrombopoiesis

The biological process involving the production of platelets.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

A hormone produced by the kidney that stimulates erythropoiesis in response to hypoxia (low oxygen levels).

Thrombopoietin

A growth factor produced at the liver or kidney that triggers the development of platelets.

Cytokines

Glycoproteins, such as colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) and interleukins, secreted by various cells to initiate development from stem cells to mature blood cells.

Cytopenia

A general medical term referring to low blood cell numbers.

Polycythemia

A condition resulting in an increased level of circulating Red Blood Cells (erythrocytes).

Erythropenia

A condition resulting in a decreased level of circulating Red Blood Cells (erythrocytes).

Leukocytosis

A clinical condition characterized by an elevation in the total number of White Blood Cells (leukocytes).

Leukopenia

A condition characterized by a reduction in the number of White Blood Cells (leukocytes).

Thrombocytosis

A condition developed with an elevated level of platelets in the blood.

Thrombocytopenia

A condition developed with a decreased level of platelets in the blood.

Hypoxia

A state of oxygen deficiency in the blood that triggers the production of erythropoietin by the kidneys.

Blood Viscosity

A characteristic of blood describing it as sticky to the touch and approximately five times greater than that of water.