Topic 1- Blood
Flashcard #1
Term: Cardiovascular System
Definition: Composed of the blood, heart, and blood vessels that transport materials between the heart and body tissues.
Flashcard #2
Term: Blood
Definition: A connective tissue that transports gases, nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout the body.
Flashcard #3
Term: Heart
Definition: A muscular pump that propels blood through the circulatory system.
Flashcard #4
Term: Blood Vessels
Definition: Pathways that circulate blood between the heart and tissues; include arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins.
Flashcard #5
Term: Functions of Blood
Definition: Distribution (O₂, CO₂, nutrients, hormones), regulation (pH, temperature, volume), and protection (against infection and blood loss).
Flashcard #6
Term: Plasma
Definition: The fluid portion of blood; 90% water and 10% solutes including proteins, nutrients, electrolytes, and gases.
Flashcard #7
Term: Formed Elements
Definition: The cellular components of blood—erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets.
Flashcard #8
Term: Hematocrit
Definition: The percentage of total blood volume composed of red blood cells; averages 47% ± 5% in males and 42% ± 5% in females.
Flashcard #9
Term: Physical Characteristics of Blood
Definition: Sticky, opaque, slightly salty, scarlet to dark red in color, pH 7.35–7.45, and 3–5× more viscous than water.
Flashcard #10
Term: Albumin
Definition: The most abundant plasma protein; maintains osmotic pressure, transports hormones and fatty acids, binds calcium, and acts as a buffer.
Flashcard #11
Term: Globulins
Definition: Plasma proteins that include transport proteins (alpha and beta) and antibodies (gamma).
Flashcard #12
Term: Clotting Proteins
Definition: Plasma proteins made by the liver (including fibrinogen and prothrombin) that function in coagulation.
Flashcard #13
Term: Non-Protein Nitrogen Substances (NPNs)
Definition: Waste products such as urea, uric acid, creatinine, and ammonium salts from protein metabolism.
Flashcard #14
Term: Erythrocyte (RBC)
Definition: A biconcave, anucleate cell that carries O₂ and CO₂; uses anaerobic metabolism.
Flashcard #15
Term: Hemoglobin
Definition: The iron-containing protein in RBCs that binds O₂ and CO₂; gives blood its color.
Flashcard #16
Term: Hematopoiesis
Definition: Formation of blood cells in red bone marrow.
Flashcard #17
Term: Erythropoiesis
Definition: Production of red blood cells from hemocytoblasts under the influence of erythropoietin.
Flashcard #18
Term: Erythropoietin (EPO)
Definition: A glycoprotein hormone produced by the kidneys and liver that stimulates RBC production in response to hypoxia.
Flashcard #19
Term: Reticulocyte
Definition: An immature RBC containing remnants of ribosomal RNA; matures into an erythrocyte within ~48 hours.
Flashcard #20
Term: Hemochromatosis
Definition: A disorder caused by excessive iron absorption and storage in the liver, skin, heart, and endocrine organs.
Flashcard #21
Term: Polycythemia
Definition: An excess number of RBCs (>7×10⁶/mm³).
Flashcard #22
Term: Anemia
Definition: A condition in which blood has abnormally low O₂-carrying capacity due to reduced RBCs or hemoglobin.
Flashcard #23
Term: Iron-Deficiency Anemia
Definition: Caused by inadequate iron for hemoglobin synthesis; results in microcytic, hypochromic RBCs.
Flashcard #24
Term: Pernicious Anemia
Definition: Caused by lack of vitamin B₁₂ or intrinsic factor needed for absorption.
Flashcard #25
Term: Sickle Cell Anemia
Definition: Genetic disorder causing abnormal hemoglobin that distorts RBC shape and reduces O₂ transport.
Flashcard #26
Term: Thalassemia
Definition: Genetic disorder resulting in abnormal globin chain synthesis.
Flashcard #27
Term: Leukocyte (WBC)
Definition: Nucleated blood cell that provides defense against pathogens and foreign substances.
Flashcard #28
Term: Leukopoiesis
Definition: Production of WBCs stimulated by interleukins and colony-stimulating factors.
Flashcard #29
Term: Neutrophil
Definition: Most abundant WBC (50–70%); multi-lobed nucleus; pale granules; phagocytic and quick-acting.
Flashcard #30
Term: Eosinophil
Definition: Granulocyte with red-staining granules; antiparasitic and anti-allergy functions.
Flashcard #31
Term: Basophil
Definition: Least abundant WBC; blue-staining granules containing histamine and heparin.
Flashcard #32
Term: Lymphocyte
Definition: Agranulocyte with large nucleus; includes T cells (attack antigens) and B cells (produce antibodies).
Flashcard #33
Term: Monocyte
Definition: Largest WBC; kidney-shaped nucleus; differentiates into macrophages in tissues.
Flashcard #34
Term: Leukopenia
Definition: WBC count below 4,000/mm³; increases infection risk.
Flashcard #35
Term: Leukocytosis
Definition: WBC count above 11,000/mm³; occurs with infection, inflammation, or malignancy.
Flashcard #36
Term: Leukemia
Definition: Cancer of WBCs characterized by excessive, abnormal leukocyte production.
Flashcard #37
Term: Infectious Mononucleosis
Definition: Viral infection (Epstein-Barr Virus) causing proliferation of B lymphocytes; symptoms include fever, sore throat, and enlarged lymph nodes.
Flashcard #38
Term: Platelets (Thrombocytes)
Definition: Cell fragments (2–4 µm) from megakaryocytes involved in hemostasis.
Flashcard #39
Term: Thrombopoietin
Definition: Hormone that regulates platelet production.
Flashcard #40
Term: Hemostasis
Definition: The stoppage of bleeding through vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and coagulation.
Flashcard #41
Term: Von Willebrand Factor
Definition: Protein produced by platelets and endothelial cells that helps platelets adhere to damaged vessel walls.
Flashcard #42
Term: Coagulation
Definition: Transformation of blood into a semisolid clot through intrinsic and extrinsic pathways.
Flashcard #43
Term: Calcium (Ca²⁺)
Definition: Ion required for both intrinsic and extrinsic clotting pathways.
Flashcard #44
Term: Clot Retraction
Definition: Process where platelets contract using actin and myosin to tighten and stabilize the clot.
Flashcard #45
Term: Fibrinolysis
Definition: Enzymatic breakdown of fibrin by plasmin after vessel healing.
Flashcard #46
Term: Prostacyclin & Nitric Oxide (NO)
Definition: Chemicals produced by endothelium that prevent unwanted clotting.
Flashcard #47
Term: Antithrombin III
Definition: Liver product that inhibits activated clotting factors and limits coagulation.
Flashcard #48
Term: Heparin
Definition: Natural anticoagulant that enhances antithrombin activity; also used clinically to prevent clotting.
Flashcard #49
Term: Warfarin / Coumadin
Definition: Vitamin K inhibitors used to prevent clot formation.
Flashcard #50
Term: QuickClot®
Definition: Hemostatic agent that absorbs water from blood, concentrating clotting factors and platelets to promote rapid clotting.
Flashcard #51
Term: Hirudin
Definition: Anticoagulant produced by the medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis) that inactivates thrombin.
Flashcard #52
Term: Thrombus
Definition: A clot that develops and persists in an unbroken vessel or heart chamber.
Flashcard #53
Term: Embolus
Definition: A free-floating intravascular clot.
Flashcard #54
Term: Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
Definition: Systemic thrombohemorrhagic disorder with unregulated fibrin formation and accelerated fibrinolysis.
Flashcard #55
Term: Thrombocytopenia
Definition: Platelet count below 50,000/mm³, which can cause spontaneous bleeding.
Flashcard #56
Term: Petechiae
Definition: Pinpoint hemorrhages in capillaries of the skin or mucous membranes.
Flashcard #57
Term: Hemophilia
Definition: Inherited bleeding disorder caused by deficient clotting factors VIII (A), IX (B), or XI.
Flashcard #58
Term: Prothrombin Time (PT)
Definition: Measures efficiency of the extrinsic and common clotting pathways.
Flashcard #59
Term: Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)
Definition: Measures efficiency of the intrinsic and common pathways.
Flashcard #60
Term: Agglutinogen
Definition: Glycoprotein on RBC surface that can trigger antibody formation in non-compatible hosts.
Flashcard #61
Term: Agglutinin
Definition: Antibody found in plasma that reacts with foreign agglutinogens, causing clumping.
Flashcard #62
Term: Rh Factor
Definition: Group of antigens (C, D, E, c, e) on RBCs; D is the most immunogenic and determines Rh⁺ or Rh⁻ status.
Flashcard #63
Term: Rh⁻ Individual
Definition: Lacks C, D, and E antigens and develops anti-D agglutinins after exposure to Rh⁺ blood.
Flashcard #64
Term: Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (Erythroblastosis Fetalis)
Definition: Disorder caused by Rh incompatibility where maternal anti-D antibodies attack fetal RBCs.
Flashcard #65
Term: Rhogam
Definition: Preventive treatment for Rh⁻ mothers that prevents production of anti-D agglutinins.
Flashcard #66
Term: Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction
Definition: Reaction caused by mismatched blood transfusion leading to RBC destruction; often due to human error or weak agglutinogens.
Flashcard #67
Term: Erythrocyte Degradation (RBC Breakdown)
Definition: Aged or damaged RBCs are engulfed by macrophages in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow.
Heme → biliverdin → bilirubin → bile → stercobilin (feces) / urobilin (urine)
Iron → recycled or stored in ferritin/hemosiderin
Globin → broken into reusable amino acids.
Flashcard #68
Term: Coagulation Pathways (Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic)
Definition:
Intrinsic Pathway: All factors in blood; slower (3–6 min).
Extrinsic Pathway: Triggered by tissue factor (TF) from damaged cells; faster (~15 sec).
Both activate Factor X, forming prothrombin activator → converts prothrombin → thrombin, which converts fibrinogen → fibrin.