11 - Blood Flashcards
Blood is considered what major category of tissue?
Connective.
Blood is a type of connective tissue that consists of two major parts. Which?
- The plasma
2. The formed elements
How much of total blood volume does the plasma account for?
Plasma accounts for slightly more than half of the total blood volume.
Plasma consists of x% water, y% protein and z% other components.
Plasma consists of 91% water, 7% proteins and 2% other components.
What are the types of proteins found in plasma?
- Albumins
- Globulins
- Fibrinogen
Simplify: what is the function of albumins in blood?
Albumins maintain osmotic pressure and act as transport molecules.
Simplify: what is the function of globulins in blood?
Globulins act as transport molecules.
Simplify: what is the function of fribrinogen in blood?
Helps form clots.
What is serum?
Serum is plasma without the clotting factors.
What are the formed elements?
Formed elements make up about 45% of the blood. About 95% of the volume of the formed elements consists of red blood cells (RBCs), or erythrocytes. The remaining 5% of the volume of the formed elements consists of white blood cells (WBCs), or leukocytes, and cell fragments called platelets, or thrombocytes.
Another word for red blood cells is …
erythrocytes.
Another word for white blood cells is …
leukocytes.
Another word for platelets is …
thrombocytes.
What is hematopoiesis?
Hematopoiesis is the name of the process of blood cell production.
Where does hematopoiesis occur?
Hematopoiesis occurs mainly in red bone marrow, but some white blood cells are produced in lymphatic tissues.
Explain the shape of the red blood cells.
Normal red blood cells are disk-shaped with edges that are thicker than the center of the cell. The biconcave shape increases the cell’s surface area. The greater surface area makes it easier for gases to move into and out of the red blood cell.
Red blood cells contain the important protein …
hemoglobin.
Describe the structure of the hemoglobin protein.
Hemoglobin consists of four protein chains and four heme groups. Each protein, called globin, is bound to one heme, a red pigmented-molecule. Each heme contains one iron atom, which is necessary for the normal function of hemoglobin. Each iron in heme can reversibly bind to an oxygen molecule.
Which molecules can bind to hemoglobin?
Oxygen molecules, but also carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Carbon monoxide binds to the iron in hemoglobin about x timer more/less readily than does oxygen.
Carbon monoxide binds to iron about 210 times more readily than does oxygen. It also tends not to unbind.
Carbon monoxide keeps oxygen from binding to the hemoglobin, which is very dangerous. Prolonged exposure can lead to nausea, headache, unconsciousness and death. Why is carbon dioxide less dangerous?
It binds to the globin, protein, part of the hemoglobin molecule. So the iron molecule is still available for oxygen transport.
How is carbon dioxide transported in the blood?
About 70% of the carbon dioxide in blood is transported as bicarbonate ions, 23% bound to globin in hemoglobin, and the remaining 7% dissolved in plasma.
Write the equality equation for bicarbonate transport in blood.
CO2 + H2O H+ + HCO3-
Which deficiencies can cause problems in normal red blood cell production?
Folate, Vitamin B12, or iron.
Red blood cell production is stimulated by …
low blood oxygen levels.
What is erythropoietin (EPO)?
Erythropoietin is a glycoprotein that is primarily released by the kidneys in response to low blood oxygen. Erythropoietin stimulates red bone marrow to produce more red blood cells.
The production of erythropoietin by the kidneys is an example of a positive or negative feedback mechanism?
Negative. A decrease in blood oxygen sets of a mechanism that results in increased blood oxygen.
A typical source of carbon monoxide is…
Cigarette smoke.
What is jaundice?
Jaundice is a condition that is caused by a liver defect, or when the flow of bile from the liver is hindered. When red blood cells become old, abnormal or damaged, they are removed from the blood by macrophages in the liver of spleen. The heme molecules are converted into bilirubin, which is realised by the liver with the bile. Jaundice happens when bilirubin builds up in the circulation.
How are white blood cells different from red blood cells?
- They are bigger
- They have a nucleus
- Lack hemoglobin, therefore are not red.
How are white blood cells able to leave the blood?
By ameboid movement.
What is ameboid movement?
White blood cells can leave the blood and travel by ameboid movement through the tissues. In this process, the cell projects a cytoplasmic extension that attaches to an object. Then the rest of the cell’s cytoplasm flows into the extension.
What are the two functions of white blood cells?
- To protect the body against invading microorganisms and other pathogens.
- To remove dead cells and debris from the tissues by phagocytosis.
White blood cells can be divided into two major groups. Which?
- Granulocytes
2. Agranulocytes
What gives rise to the granulocyte and agranulocyte names?
Each white blood cell type is named according to its appearance in stained preparations. Those containing large cytoplasmic granules are granulocytes, and those with very small granules that cannot be seen easily with the light microscope are agranulocytes.
Each white blood cell type is named according to its appearance in stained preparations. Those containing large cytoplasmic granules are granulocytes, and those with very small granules that cannot be seen easily with the light microscope are agranulocytes. There are three types of granulocytes. Which?
- Neutrophils
- Basophils
- Eosinophils
What are neutrophils?
A granulocyte type white blood cell. It’s the most common type of white blood cell. Neutrophils usually remain in the blood for a short time (10-12 hours), move into other tissues, and phagocytise microorganisms and other foreign substances. Dead neutrophils, cell debris, and fluid can accumulate as pus at sites of infection.
What are basophils?
A granulocyte type white blood cell. It’s the least common of all white blood cells. Basophils release histamine and other chemicals that promote inflammation. They also release heparin, which prevents the formation of clots.
What are eosinophils?
A granulocyte type white blood cell. Eosinophils are involved in inflammatory responses associated with allergies and asthma. In addition, chemicals from eosinophils are involved in destroying certain worm parasites.
Each white blood cell type is named according to its appearance in stained preparations. Those containing large cytoplasmic granules are granulocytes, and those with very small granules that cannot be seen easily with the light microscope are agranulocytes. There are two types of agranulocytes. Which?
- Lymphocytes
2. Monocytes
What are lymphocytes?
Lymphocytes are the smallest of the white blood cells. There are several types of lymphocytes, and they play an important role in the body’s immune response.
What are monocytes?
Monocytes are the largest of the white blood cells. After they leave the blood and enter tissues, monocytes enlarge and become macrophages, which phagocytise bacteria, dead cells, cell fragments, and other debris within the tissues.