4 Flashcards
What are albumins?
Albumins are formed in the liver and are the most abundant plasma proteins. Their main function is to maintain normal plasma osmotic pressure and they also act as carrier molecules for lipids and steroid hormones.
What are globulins?
Globulins are proteins formed mostly in the liver and some in lymphoid tissue. Their main functions include acting as antibodies, transporting hormones and mineral salts, and inhibiting proteolytic enzymes.
What is the role of antibodies?
Antibodies, or immunoglobulins, are complex proteins produced by lymphocytes that play an important part in immunity by binding to and neutralizing foreign materials (antigens) such as micro-organisms.
What are clotting factors?
Clotting factors are substances essential for the coagulation of blood. Serum is plasma from which clotting factors have been removed.
What is fibrinogen?
Fibrinogen is synthesized in the liver and is essential for blood coagulation.
What contributes to plasma viscosity?
Plasma viscosity is due to plasma proteins, mainly albumin and fibrinogen. It is used as a measure of the body’s response to some diseases.
What is the role of inorganic salts in blood?
Inorganic salts are involved in activities such as cell formation, muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, secretion formation, and maintaining acid-base balance.
What is the normal pH range of blood?
The pH of blood is maintained between 7.35 and 7.45 by a series of chemical activities involving buffering systems.
What nutrients are absorbed from food?
Nutrients absorbed from food include monosaccharides, amino acids, fatty acids, glycerol, and vitamins, which are required by all body cells for energy, heat, and repair.
What are organic waste products of protein metabolism?
Urea, creatinine, and uric acid are waste products of protein metabolism formed in the liver and conveyed to the kidneys for excretion.
What are hormones?
Hormones are chemical compounds synthesized by endocrine glands that influence cellular activity by being transported in the blood to target tissues and organs.
How are gases transported in the blood?
Oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen are transported in plasma. Oxygen and carbon dioxide are also carried in combination with hemoglobin in red blood cells.
What are the three types of blood cells?
The three types of blood cells are erythrocytes (red cells), thrombocytes (platelets), and leukocytes (white cells).
What is haemopoiesis?
Haemopoiesis is the process of blood cell formation that takes place within red bone marrow.
What are erythrocytes?
Erythrocytes are circular biconcave non-nucleated discs with a diameter of about 7 microns.
What is erythrocyte count?
Erythrocyte count is the number of erythrocytes per litre or per cubic millimetre of blood.
What is packed cell volume or haematocrit?
Packed cell volume or haematocrit is the volume of red cells in 1 litre or 1 mm of whole blood.
