Blood Cells Flashcards
What is hemoglobin?
Iron-containing respiratory pigment found in red-blood cells
Hemoglobin has special properties that allow it to pick up oxygen.
What role does hemoglobin play in the body?
Transports oxygen to the cells through the process of diffusion.
What are platelets?
Fragments of cells that form when larger cells in the bone marrow break apart.
Do platelets have a nucleus?
No nucleus.
What is the role of platelets in the body?
Role in blood clotting.
What are white blood cells also called?
Leucocytes.
What is the primary function of white blood cells?
Help with fighting infection.
What percentage of total blood volume do white blood cells constitute?
~1% of total blood volume.
What happens to the number of white blood cells during an infection?
Increase by more than double.
Do white blood cells have nuclei?
Have nuclei.
What are the two main portions of blood?
Fluid portion (plasma) and solid portion (formed portion).
What does the fluid portion of blood (plasma) contain?
Water, dissolved gases, proteins, sugars, vitamins, minerals, hormones, and waste products.
What does the solid portion of blood consist of?
Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Where are blood cells produced?
In the bone marrow, which is found inside bones.
What is anemia?
Condition that occurs if there are too few red blood cells or too little hemoglobin inside the red blood cells.
What are some symptoms of anemia?
Feel tired, appear pale.
What are the three groups of white blood cells?
Granulocytes, monocytes, lymphocytes.
What types of cells are included in granulocytes?
Neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils.
What is a specialized form of monocytes?
Macrophages, which destroy bacteria.
What is the role of lymphocytes?
Can produce proteins that incapacitate pathogens allowing them to be detected and destroyed.
What is plasma’s role in the blood?
Carries all the blood cells and plays a role in transporting carbon dioxide.
What are red blood cells also called?
Erythrocytes.
What percentage of blood volume do red blood cells constitute?
~44% of blood volume.
What is the primary function of red blood cells?
Specialized for oxygen transport.
