Chapter 15: The Cardiovascular System: Blood

plasma

liquid portion of blood

erythrocytes

red blood cells

leukocytes

white blood cells

platelets

a small colorless disk-shaped cell fragment without a nucleus, found in large numbers in blood and involved in clotting

hematocrit (Hct) or packed cell volume (PCV)

percentage of erythrocytes in a volume of blood

anemia

lack of a normal number of red blood cells

polycythemia

A disorder characterized by an abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells in the blood

blood osmotic pressure

a force caused by the colloidal suspension of large proteins in plasma. This pressure pulls fluid from interstitial spaces into the capillary bed. High blood osmotic pressure will cause water to be taken out of the cells, into the interstitial fluid, and then into the blood plasma.

blood viscosity

The thickness and stickiness of the blood due to formed elements and plasma proteins.

carrier proteins

a protein that transports substances across a cell membrane

albumins

Transport fatty acids and steroids, help regulate osmotic pressure of the blood.

globulins

alpha, beta, gamma

fibrinogen

plasma protein that is converted to fibrin in the clotting process

serum

plasma without clotting factors

biconcave disk

shape of red blood cell

hemoglobin

Oxygen carrying pigment in red blood cells

carbonic anhydrase

enzyme that catalyzes the reaction between carbon dioxide and water to form carbonic acid

central pallor

the central pale area of an RBC that represents the thinnest part of the biconcave disc

heme group

iron-containing structures on hemoglobin, the sites of oxygen binding

erythropoiesis

production of red blood cells

hematopoietic stem cells

bone marrow

reticulocytes

immature red blood cells

Vitamin B12

Cyanocobalamin

folic acid

A nutrient in the vitamin B complex that the body needs in small amounts to function and stay healthy. Folic acid helps to make red blood cells

hemolysis

destruction of red blood cells

bilirubin

pigment released by the liver in bile

bile

A substance produced by the liver that breaks up fat particles.

jaundice (icterus)

yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes caused by an accumulation of bile pigment (bilirubin) in the blood

granulocytes

A group of leukocytes containing granules in their cytoplasm; neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils.

agranulocytes

A group of leukocytes without granules in their nuclei; lymphocytes, monocytes.

neutrophils

A type of white blood cell that engulfs invading microbes and contributes to the nonspecific defenses of the body against disease.

phagocytes

A type of white blood cell that ingests invading microbes

eosinophils

a white blood cell containing granules that are readily stained by eosin.

basophils

A circulating leukocyte that produces histamine.

monocytes

An agranular leukocyte that is able to migrate into tissues and transform into a macrophage.

macrophages

Amoeboid cells that roam connective tissue and engulf foreign particles and debris of dead cells.

B lymphocytes

form in the bone marrow and release antibodies that fight bacterial infections

T lymphocytes

form in the thymus and other lymphatic tissue and attack cancer cells, viruses, and foreign substances

natural killer cells

A type of white blood cell that can kill tumor cells and virus-infected cells; an important component of innate immunity.

thrombocytes

another name for platelets

red bone marrow

produces red and white blood cells and platelets

hemostasis

the stopping of a flow of blood.

vascular spasm

immediate response to blood vessel injury; results in constriction

vasoconstriction

narrowing of blood vessels

platelet plug

a collection of platelets at the site of a damaged blood vessel that helps slow or stop blood loss

platelet adhesion

the attachment of platelets to exposed surfaces

platelet aggregation

property of platelets to adhere to an injured surface and then attract other platelets, which clump together or aggregate at the area, plugging up an injury to the vascular system

von Willebrand factor

activates clotting

epinephrine

adrenaline

serotonin

A neurotransmitter that affects hunger, sleep, arousal, and mood.

ADP (adenosine diphosphate)

the molecule that is produced when ATP is split to yield energy

Thromboxane A2

it stimulates activation of new platelets as well as increases platelet aggregation, produced by platelets

positive feedback

A physiological control mechanism in which a change in some variable triggers mechanisms that amplify the change.

prostacyclin

inhibits blood clotting and vasoconstriction

nitric oxide

a gas released by the endothelial cells to promote blood flow

Clotting (coagulation)

Complex process by which blood components form a plug to stop bleeding

blood clot (thrombus)

The conversion of blood from a liquid form to solid through the process of coagulation

fibrinogen

plasma protein that is converted to fibrin in the clotting process

fibrin

protein that forms the basis of a blood clot

clotting factors

any of the various plasma components involved in the clotting process

coagulation cascade

Complex series of steps by which blood flow stops.

intrinsic pathway

cascade of clotting factors leading to the formation of a clot within an injured vessel

extrinsic pathway

initial coagulation pathway that begins with tissue damage and results in the activation of the common pathway

common pathway

where intrinsic and extrinsic pathways converge

thrombin

enzyme that converts fibrinogen to fibrin during coagulation

vitamin k

Helps blood clot

clot retraction

after coagulation, platelets contract pulling torn blood vessel together