Blood and Immunity Key Terms Flashcards
Neutrophils
a granular leukocyte, stain weakly with both acidic and basic dyes. The most numerous of the WBC’s, a type of phagocyte.
Eosinophils
a granular leukocyte, stain strongly with acidic dyes; active in allergic reactions and defense against parasites.
Basophils
Granular leukocyte, Stain strongly with basic dyes; active in allergic reactions
Agranulocytes
Do not show visible granules when stained. Nucleus is large and either round or curved. 2 types: Lymphocytes and Monocytes.
Lymphocytes
the smaller agranulocytes, active in immunity (T and B cells); found in the blood and in lymphoid tissue
Monocytes
are the largest of all the WBC’s; an agranular phagocytic leukocyte
T cells
T (lymphocytes): mature in the thymus. Capable of attacking a foreign cell directly, producing cell-mediated immunity.
Macrophages
descendants of monocytes, are important in the function of T cells. They take in and process foreign antigens. A T cell is activated when it contacts an antigen on a macrophage’s surface in combination with some of the body’s own proteins.
B cell
(B lymphocytes) mature in bone marrow. When they meet a foreign antigen, they multiply rapidly and mature into plasma cells.
Plasma cells
Produce antibodies (immunoglobulins (Ig)) that inactivates antigens. Antibodies remain in the blood, often providing long term immunity to the specific organism against which they were formed. Antibody - based immunity is - humoral immunity.
albumin
a simple protein found in blood plasma
antibody
a protein produced in response to and interacting specifically with an antigen
antigen
a substance that induces the formation of an antibody
band cell
an immature neutrophil with a nucleus in the shape of a band, aka stab cell. Band cell counts are used to trace infections and other diseases.
blood
fluid that circulates in the cardiovascular system
coagulation
blood clotting
cross-matching
Testing the compatibility of donor and recipient blood in preparation for a transfusion. Donor red cells are mixed with recipient serum to look for an immunological reaction. Similar tests are done on tissues before transplantation.
electrolyte
a substance that separates into charged particles (ions) in solution; a salt. Term also applied to ions in body fluids.
erythrocyte
red blood cell
erythropoietin (EPO)
A hormone produces in the kidneys that stimulate red blood cell production in the bone marrow. Now made through genetic engineering for clinical use.
fibrin
protein that forms a clot in the blood coagulation process
fibrinogen
inactive precursor of fibrin
formed elements
cellular component of blood
gamma globulin
fraction of the blood plasma that contain antibodies; given for passive transfer of immunity.
hemostasis
stoppage of bleeding
immunity
state of being protected against a disease
Immunoglobulin (Ig)
An antibody. 5 classes : IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, IgE
leukocyte
a white blood cell
megakaryocyte
a large bone marrow cell that fragments to release platelets
phagocytosis
the engulfing of foreign material by WBC’s
plasma
liquid portion of the blood
plasma cell
a mature form of a B cell that produces antibodies
platelet
a formed element of the blood that is active in hemostasis; a thrombocyte
serum
the fraction of the plasma that remains after blood coagulation; it is the equivalent of plasma without its clotting factors
thrombocyte
a blood platelet
Granulocytes
Aka granular leukocytes, have visible granules in the cytoplasm when stained. A granulocyte has a segmented nucleus. There are 3 types: Neutrophils, Eosinophils, and Basophils.
AIDS
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: immune system failure caused by infection with HIV. The virus infects certain T cells and thus interacts with immunity.
allergen
a substance that causes an allergic response
allergy
hypersensitivity
anaphylactic reaction
an exaggerated allergic reaction to a foreign substance. It may lead to death caused by circulatory collapse and a respiratory distress if untreated.
anemia
a deficiency in the amount of hemoglobin in the blood, may result from blood loss, malnutrition, a hereditary defect, environmental factors and other causes.
angioedema
a localized edema with large hives (wheals) similar to urticaria but involving deeper layers of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
aplastic anemia
anemia caused by bone marrow failure resulting in deficient blood cell production, especially of red cells; pancytopenia
autoimmune disease
a condition in which the immune system produces antibodies against an individual’s own tissues
Cooley anemia
a form of thalassemia (hereditary anemia) that affects production of the B (beta) hemoglobin chain, thalassemia major
delayed hypersensitivity reaction
an allergic reaction involving T cells that takes at least 12 hours to develop. Examples: contact dermatitis (poison ivy or poison oak), tuberculin reaction (test for TB), and rejections of transplanted tissue
DIC
disseminated intravascular coagulation: widespread clot formation in the microscopic vessels; may be followed by bleeding caused by depletion of clotting factors
ecchymosis
a collection of blood under the skin caused by leakage from small vessels, typically caused by bruising
hemolysis
the rupture of red blood cells and the release of hemoglobin
hemophilia
a hereditary blood disease caused by a lack of clotting factor and resulting in abnormal bleeding
hemorrhagic anemia
anemia that results from blood loss, as from an injury or internal bleeding
HIV
human immunodeficiency virus : the virus that causes AIDS
Hodgkins disease
a neoplastic disease of unknown cause that involves the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and other tissues; characterized by the presence of giant Reed-Sternberg cells
hypersensitivity
an immunological reaction to a substance that is harmless to most people; allergy
immunodeficiency
a congenital or acquired failure of the immune system yo protect against disease
intrinsic factor
a substance produces in the stomach that aids in the intestinal absorption of vitamin B12, necessary for the manufacture of red blood cells. Lack of IF causes pernicious anemia
Kaposi sarcoma
cancerous lesion of the skin and other tissues, seen most often in patients with AIDS
leukemia
malignant overgrowth of immature white blood cells; may be chronic or acute; may affect the bone marrow (myelogenous leukemia ) or lymphoid tissue (lymphocytic leukemia)
lymphadenopathy
any disease of the lymph nodes
multiple myeloma
a tumor of the blood forming tissue in bone marrow
NHL
non- Hodgkin lymphoma: a widespread malignant disease of lymph nodes that involves lymphocytes. It differs from Hodgkin disease in the that giant Reed-Sternberg cells are absent
nutritional anemia
anemia resulting from a dietary deficiency, usually of iron, Vit B 12 or folic acid.
Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)
an abnormal chromosome found in the cells of most individuals with chronic granulocytic (myelogenous leukemia)
pernicious anemia
anemia caused by failure of the stomach to produce intrinsic factor, a substance needed for the absorption of vitamin B12. this vitamin is required for the formation of erythrocytes.
petechiae
pinpoint, flat, purplish-red spots caused by bleeding within the skin or mucous membrane
purpura
a condition characterized by hemorrhages in the skin, mucous membranes, internal organs, and other tissues. Thrombocytopenic purpura is caused by a deficiency of platelets.
sickle cell anemia
a hereditary anemia caused by the presence of abnormal hemoglobin. Red blood cells become sickle shaped when they give up oxygen and interfere with normal blood flow to the tissues. Most common in black populations of West Africa descent.
sideroblastic anemia
anemia caused by inability to use available iron to manufacture hemoglobin. The excess iron precipitates in normoblasts (developing RBC’s)
Sjogren Syndrome
an autoimmune disease involving dysfunction of the exocrine glands and affecting secretion of tears, saliva, and other body fluids. Deficiency leads to dry mouth, tooth decay, corneal damage, eye infections, and difficulty swallowing.
splenomegaly
enlargement of the spleen
systemic lupus erythematosus
inflammatory connective tissue disease affecting the skin and multiple organs. Patients are sensitive to light and may have red butterfly shaped rash over the nose and cheeks
systemic sclerosis
a diffuse connective tissue disease that may involve any system causing inflammation, degeneration, and fibrosis. AKA scleroderma because it causes thickening of the skin.
thalassemia
a group of hereditary anemias mostly found in populations of Mediterranean descent
thrombocytopenia
a deficiency of thrombocytes (platelets) in the blood
urticaria
a skin reaction consisting of round, raised eruptions (wheals) with itching hives
adrenaline/epinephrine
a powerful stimulant produced by the adrenal gland and sympathetic nervous system. Activates the cardiovascular, respiratory and other systems needed to meet stress. Used as a drug to treat severe allergic reactions and shock.
CD4 + T lymphocyte count
a count of the T cells that have the CD4 receptors for the AIDS virus (HIV). A count less than 200/mcL of blood signifies severe immunodeficiency
reticulocyte counts
blood counts of reticulocytes, a type of immature RBC; counts are useful in dx to indicate the rate of erythrocyte formation
Reed-Sternberg cells
Giant cells that are characteristic of Hodgkins disease. They usually have two large nuclei and are surrounded by a halo
