Blood Flashcards
What are the two constituents of blood?
1) Plasma
2) Cells
What are the three types of cells found in blood?
1) Erythrocytes
2) Leukocytes
3) Platelets
Blood is a specialized form of what?
Connective tissue
There are two constituents of Plasma, what are they?
1) Serum
2) Clotting proteins
In a centrifuge blood sample, what three layers form (from top to bottom)?
top layer= Plasma
middle layer= “Buffy Coat” (white blood cells)
Bottom layer= Red Blood Cells (RBC’s)
What is the serum component of plasma?
Plasma minus the clotting proteins (made up of 90% water)
The RBC layer in a centrifuge blood sample is referred to as what?
Hematocrit (makes up 45% of the centrifuge blood sample)
What is a “better” term for the cell component of blood?
Formed Elements
What type of cell is a RBC?
Erythrocyte
What is the function of RBC’s?
Transport oxygen
What vehicle do the RBC’s use to transport oxygen?
Hemoglobin (blood protein)
Why are RBC’s soft and flexible?
so they can squeeze through capillaries (the smallest of the blood vessels)
Why are RBC’s shaped as a biconcave disc?
for maximum exchange (release/gain) of oxygen to all parts of the cell
True or False - RBC’s have a nucleus, ER, mitochondria, ribosomes, etc.
FALSE
Can RBC’s grow or divide?
NO!
What is the lifespan of a RBC (how long do they last in the body)?
120 days
How are warn out/old RBC’s removed from the body?
Captured and destroyed by macrophages in spleen (and liver) when worn out
What kind of cell is a Leukocyte?
White Blood Cell (WBC)
What are the two types of Leukocytes?
1) Granulocytes
2) Agranulocytes
What are the three subtypes of Granulocytes?
1) Neutrophils
2) Eosinophils
3) Basophils
What are the two subtypes of Agranulocytes?
1) Lymphocytes
2) Monocytes
What is the order of Leukocytes found in the body, from most numerous to least numerous?
Neutrophils
Lymphocytes
Monocytes & Eosinophils
Basophils
what does the nucleus of a Neutrophil look like?
lobulated- 2 to 5 lobes
Which line of defense is a Neutrophil?
1st line of defense
What do the granules in Neutrophils contain?
an enzyme called Lysozime (which lyse bacterial cell walls)
What does it mean when we say Neutrophils are phagocytic?
they ENGULF and DIGEST bacteria and small particles
What is meant when we say Neutrophils are Chemotaxic?
they migrate to bacteria through the blood and interstitial tissue following chemical signals
Why do Neutrophils form pus at the site of attack?
Pus is the collection of dead neutrophils after they degranulate
Degranulation is what?
cellular process that releases antimicrobial cytotoxic or other molecules from secretory vesicles called granules found inside some cells
What does the nucleus of and Eosinophil look like?
Bilobed nucleus (two large lobes connected in the middle)
What do the granules in Eosinophils do?
Granules contain an enzyme which kill and destroy PARASITE INFECTIONS
What situation in the body does an increased number of Eosinophils suggest?
an allergic reaction
What are Eosinophils phagocytic against?
antigen-antibody complexes
Basophils are the least numerous of all the white blood cells. TRUE or FALSE?
TRUE
Basophils have a large, irregular nucleus. TRUE or FALSE?
TRUE
What is found in the granules of Basophils that increases capillary leakiness causing edema, facilitating movement of WBCs and proteins to the site? (this is also found in Mast cells)
Histamine
What do histamines do?
Cause contraction of smooth muscle and dilation of capillaries
What 2 functions do Basophils perform?
1) Respond to antigen-antibody complexes
2) Chemotaxic to other granulocytes
Are Lymphocytes granulocytes or agranulocytes?
Agranulocytes
What is the distinguishing characteristic about a lymphocyte nucleus?
large and spherical
What are the two types of Lymphocyte cells?
1) B Cells
2) T Cells
Where in the body are B Cells produced?
In the BONE MARROW
Where in the body do T Cells mature?
the Thymus
a lymphoid organ situated in the neck of vertebrates that produces T cells for the immune system
What does a B Cell differentiate into?
Plasma cells
What is the function of plasma cells?
Secrete ANTIBODIES
What two types of cells do T Cells differentiate into?
1) Killer T Cell
2) Helper T Cell
What do Killer T Cells do?
Find and directly kill infected or foreign cells
What do Helper T Cells do?
They use chemical messages to give instructions to the other immune system cells.
These instructions help Killer-T cells and B-cells make a lot more of themselves so they can fight the infection and make sure the fight stays under control.
Are Monocytes granulocytes or agranulocytes?
agranulocytes
What shape is the nucleus of a Monocyte?
U-shaped or Oval
What do Monocytes differentiate into?
macrophages
Where are these differentiated macrophages found in the body?
Connective Tissue (CT)
What are Platelets and where do they come from?
CELL FRAGMENTS, derived from megakaryocytes (large cells in bone marrow)
What is another term used for Platelets, and what does that name suggest?
Thrombocytes
Thrombocytes initiate BLOOD CLOTTING
What is another name for blood clotting?
Thrombus
How do Platelets (thrombocytes) form a blood clot (thrombus)?
3 Steps….
- Form plug = agglutination
- Secrete a clotting factor, thromboplastin, initiating a clot
- After clot forms, contract to tighten seal
