Blood Flashcards
What are “formed elements” of blood?
The different types of cells and cell fragments
What is the difference between blood plasma and blood serum?
PLASMA is the liquid part of whole blood minus formed elements.
SERUM is plasma remaining after whole blood clots, contains antibodies
What two kinds of connective tissue are responsible for hematopoiesis in the body?
Myeloid and Lymphoid tissue
How are RBCs different from most other cells in the body?
- no nucleus or cytoplasmic organelles - short-lived
- odd disk shape
What protein in blood cells carries oxygen?
Hemoglobin
Can you give a broad definition of anemia?
Inability to carry sufficient oxygen to body cells.
Name two types of anemia and describe the primary characteristic of each type.
- Hemorrhagic anemia: decrease in number of red blood cells caused by hemorrhage from accidents, bleeding ulcers, or similar reasons.
- Aplastic anemia: reduction in red blood cells as a result of the destruction of the blood-forming elements in bone marrow. Destruction caused by exposure to toxic chemicals, x-rays, certain drugs, & chemotherapy.
- Pernicious anemia: failure of the stomach lining to produce intrinsic factor causes a decrease in RBCs.
- Iron deficiency anemia: the body cannot manufacture enough hemoglobin because of lack of adequate iron in diet.
- Sickle cell anemia: genetic disease resulting in formation of an abnormal type of hemoglobin. The hemoglobin forms crystals and causes the red cell to become fragile and assume a sickle (crescent) shape when the blood oxygen level is low. There is no cure, and treatment is primarily supportive.
What is an antigen in blood typing?
A substance which induces an immune response in the body, especially the production of antibodies.
What is meant when a person’s blood is described as “Rh negative”?
There is an absence of Rh antigens
What is the “universal recipient” blood and what is the reason for this name?
The universal recipient blood is AB+. It contains no anti-A, anti-B, or anti-Rh antibodies in its plasma.
Therefore, type AB+ blood does not clump any donor’s red blood cells containing A, B, or Rh antigens
Universal donor is O-
Name the formed elements of blood.
RBC
WBC
Platelets
What is the general function of WBCs?
Defend the body from cancer cells formed in tissues & from microorganisms
What is the role of fibrin in blood clotting?
Forms meshwork that creates long-term seal of damaged blood vessel
What is the structure and function of thrombocytes?
Tiny cell fragments filled with chemicals necessary for triggering formation of a clot.
What is the difference between a thrombus and an embolus?
Thrombus - remains stationary where it is formed
Embolus - dislodged part of a clot that circulates through the bloodstream
What are the most abundant solutes dissolved in plasma?
Plasma proteins:
(1) Albumins - water regulators
(2) Globulins - work with immunity
(3) Fibrinogen - Necessary for blood clotting
(4) Prothrombin - Necessary for blood clotting
- Name the primary function of blood.
Transportation of fluid: blood
- Name several substances found in blood plasma.
- Water, Protein, Electrolytes
- Nutrients, salts
- Most abundant solutes dissolved in plasma are plasma proteins
(1) Albumins
(2) Globulins
(3) Fibrinogen
(4) Prothrombin
- Explain the function of albumins, globulins, and fibrinogen?
Albumins - help retain water in the blood by osmosis
Globulins - contain antibodies that help protect us from infections, circulate in the plasma
Fibrinogen - Necessary for blood clotting
- What is the difference between serum and plasma?
PLASMA is the liquid part of whole blood minus formed elements.
SERUM is plasma remaining after whole blood clots, contains antibodies
- What 2 types of connective tissue form blood cells?
Where are they found and what do each of them form?
(1) Myeloid tissue (red bone marrow) - found in the sternum, ribs, and coxal (hip) bones
(2) Lymphoid tissue (lymphocytes) - Found as white masses located in the lymph nodes, thymus, and spleen
- Describe the structure of RBC. What advantage does the unique shape have?
The structure is like a donut.
The transported gases can be easily carried with these indents.
- What is anemia?
Give 2 possible causes of anemia and identify 2 specific types.
Anemia is low numbers or abnormal RBCs
OR low levels of hemoglobin
- Aplastic Anemia - Low RBCs and destruction of bone marrow, caused by toxic chemicals, radiation, some drugs
- Hemorrhagic anemia - blood loss
- Pernicious anemia - VItamin B12 deficiency, genetic autoimmune disease
- Folate deficiency anemia - Vitamin B6 deficiency, common in alcoholism and malnutrition
- Iron deficiency anemia - inability to absorb iron,
- Sickle Cell anemia - genetic disease, RBCs become fragile and sickled shaped,
- What is the buffy coat?
Part separating Plasma and RBCs after spinning down containing WBCs and platelets
