Bio163Ch11

Flashcard 1

Q: What are the functions of blood?
A:

1. Transport (gases, nutrients, waste, hormones)

2. Regulation of pH and osmosis

3. Temperature maintenance

4. Protection (immune response)

5. Clot formation

Flashcard 2

Q: What are the components of blood?
A:

• Plasma (55%) – Liquid portion with proteins (albumin, globulins, fibrinogen)

• Formed Elements (45%) – RBCs, WBCs, Platelets

Flashcard 3

Q: What is hematopoiesis, and where does it occur?
A:

• Process of blood cell formation

• In fetus: Liver, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, red bone marrow

• In adults: Red bone marrow

Flashcard 4

Q: What are erythrocytes (RBCs)?
A:

• Function: Transport oxygen & carbon dioxide

• Structure: Biconcave, no nucleus, flexible

• Lifespan: ~120 days

• Main protein: Hemoglobin

Flashcard 5

Q: What is hemoglobin and its function?
A:

• Red-pigmented protein in RBCs

• Carries oxygen (O₂) & carbon dioxide (CO₂)

• Oxygen binds to iron (Fe) in the heme group

Flashcard 6

Q: How are old RBCs broken down?
A:

• Macrophages in spleen & liver remove RBCs

• Globin → amino acids

• Iron → recycled for new hemoglobin

• Heme → converted to bilirubin (excreted in bile)

Flashcard 7

Q: What are leukocytes (WBCs) and their function?
A:

• Fight infections & remove dead cells

• Larger than RBCs, contain a nucleus

• Types: Granulocytes & Agranulocytes

Flashcard 8

Q: What are the types of granulocytes?
A:

1. Neutrophils – Most common, phagocytic, first responders

2. Eosinophils – Attack parasites, reduce inflammation

3. Basophils – Release histamine (allergic reactions)

Flashcard 9

Q: What are the types of agranulocytes?
A:

1. Monocytes – Develop into macrophages (big eaters)

2. Lymphocytes – Specific immunity (B cells, T cells, NK cells)

Flashcard 10

Q: What are platelets (thrombocytes)?
A:

• Cell fragments from megakaryocytes

• Function: Clot formation & prevent blood loss

• Lifespan: 5–9 days

Flashcard 11

Q: What are the three steps of hemostasis (blood clotting)?
A:

1. Vascular spasm – Constriction of blood vessel

2. Platelet plug formation – Platelets stick to damaged vessel

3. Coagulation – Fibrin network forms a clot

Flashcard 12

Q: What are clotting factors, and where are they made?
A:

• Proteins in plasma that activate clot formation

• Made in the liver

• Require Vitamin K

Flashcard 13

Q: What are blood types based on?
A:

• Presence of A & B antigens on RBCs

• Type A: A antigen, anti-B antibodies

• Type B: B antigen, anti-A antibodies

• Type AB: A & B antigens, no antibodies (universal recipient)

• Type O: No antigens, both anti-A & anti-B antibodies (universal donor)

Flashcard 14

Q: What is the Rh factor, and why is it important?
A:

• Rh-positive (Rh⁺): Has Rh antigen

• Rh-negative (Rh⁻): No Rh antigen, can develop anti-Rh antibodies

• Important in pregnancy: Rh⁻ mother with Rh⁺ baby → Hemolytic Disease of Newborn

Flashcard 15

Q: What is Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN)?
A:

• Rh⁻ mother’s immune system attacks Rh⁺ baby’s RBCs

• Prevented by RhoGAM injection

Flashcard 16

Q: What is sickle-cell anemia?
A:

• Genetic disorder causing abnormally shaped RBCs

• Autosomal recessive inheritance

• Provides natural resistance to malaria

Flashcard 17

Q: What are common blood disorders?
A:

• Leukopenia – Low WBC count (caused by chemotherapy, radiation, viruses)

• Leukocytosis – High WBC count (caused by infections, leukemia)

• Hemophilia – Genetic disorder, blood doesn’t clot properly

Flashcard 18

Q: What are diagnostic blood tests?
A:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC) – Measures RBC, WBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit

• Hematocrit (Hct) – % of blood volume made of RBCs

• Prothrombin Time – Time for blood to clot