Chapter 1–7: Blood, Cells, and Hematopoiesis Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the blood and hematopoiesis lecture notes.

Plasma

The liquid component of blood (about 55%), containing water, electrolytes, nutrients, hormones, waste products, and plasma proteins (albumin, globulin, fibrinogen).

Albumin

The most abundant plasma protein; produced by the liver; helps maintain blood viscosity and osmotic pressure to keep fluid in the bloodstream.

Globulin

A group of plasma proteins including antibodies (immunoglobulins) and transport proteins that contribute to immune function and protein transport.

Fibrinogen

A plasma protein that is converted into fibrin during coagulation, helping to form a blood clot.

Erythrocyte (RBC)

Red blood cell; carries oxygen via hemoglobin; mature cells are anucleate and lack mitochondria; lifespan about 120 days; produced in red bone marrow.

Hemoglobin

Oxygen-carrying protein in RBCs with four subunits and iron-containing heme groups; binds and releases oxygen to tissues; saturation indicates how many binding sites are occupied.

Heme

The iron-containing component of hemoglobin that actually binds oxygen.

Iron (Fe) in hemoglobin

Essential for hemoglobin function; iron deficiency can cause anemia; iron is absorbed in the gut, transported by transferrin, and stored as ferritin.

Spectrin and Actin

Cytoskeletal proteins in the RBC membrane that give resilience and flexibility as they travel through narrow vessels.

ABO blood groups

Blood type determined by surface glycoproteins (antigens) on RBCs; important for transfusion compatibility.

Hematocrit

Percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells; typical values are about 42–52% in men and 37–48% in women.

Hematopoiesis

Process of blood cell formation; occurs mainly in bone marrow; includes development of red cells, white cells, and platelets.

Erythropoiesis

Production and maturation of red blood cells in the bone marrow; about a million RBCs are produced each second; mature cells reach circulation after a few days.

Leukocytes (WBCs)

White blood cells; immune cells that defend against infection; includes neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes.

Buffy coat

The thin middle layer after blood centrifugation that contains white blood cells and platelets.

Platelets

Fragments of megakaryocytes; essential for blood clotting and hemostasis.

Centrifuge

Laboratory device used to spin blood samples to separate plasma, buffy coat, and red blood cells by density.

Lymphoid vs Myeloid lineages

Two hematopoietic pathways: lymphoid gives rise to lymphocytes (T cells, B cells); myeloid gives rise to monocytes, granulocytes, erythrocytes, and platelets.

Hypoxemia

Low oxygen level in the blood; can trigger compensatory responses such as increased red blood cell production.

Hypoxia

Low oxygen delivery to tissues, a related condition to hypoxemia but referring to tissue oxygen deficiency.

Osmolarity

Measure of solute concentration in blood; regulates overall fluid balance, largely controlled by the kidneys.

INR (International Normalized Ratio)

A test that measures how long it takes blood to clot; used to monitor anticoagulant therapy and clotting function.

Biliverdin and Bilirubin

Heme breakdown products: biliverdin (green) and bilirubin (yellow) produced when old RBCs are recycled by macrophages.

Mature RBC anatomy

Mature red blood cells lack a nucleus and mitochondria, maximizing space for hemoglobin and oxygen transport.

Liver and plasma proteins

The liver synthesizes most plasma proteins (including albumin, fibrinogen, globulins) that regulate viscosity, osmotic pressure, and coagulation.

Spleen (role in hematopoiesis)

Lymphoid organ that supports immune cell production and function; it does not produce red blood cells in adults (bone marrow does).