Blood - Formed Elements Flashcards
RBC main function?
Carry O2 - also transports some CO2
Why are RBCs flexible?
To squeeze through capillaries
Why does RBCs have large surface area to volume ratio?
Greater surface area allows for faster exchange of O2 and hemoglobin
Why can RBCs form stacks?
Easier flow through narrow blood vessels without jamming
What are RBCs filled with?
Hemoglobin
What does hemoglobin contain?
Iron (each hemoglobin has four so each hemoglobin can carry four oxygen)
What is Oxyhemoglobin? What colour?
Blood with oxygen bound to hemoglobin (bright red)
What is deoxyhemoglobin? What colour?
Blood with lots of hemoglobin not bound to oxygen (dark red)
RBCs life span?
Four months (120 days)
How are old RBCs destroyed?
Plasma membrane ruptures or cell is engulfed by macrophages in spleen (main site) or liver
What are leukocytes (WBCs)?
Crucial in body’s defence against disease
What does the body do when there is inflammation or infection? What it called?
Increase production of WBCs
Leukocytosis
Low levels of WBCs is called what?
Leukopenia
What causes low levels of WBCs?
Leukopenia - means they are being destroyed or suppressed often by drugs and puts person in risk for infection
What are the two types of leukocytes?
Agranular and granular (contains granular)
Are platelets cells? Where are they derived from?
No, they are fragments of cells derived from megakaryocytes
Life span of platelets?
9 - 12 days
What do platelets do?
Needed for clotting process (low number means more bleeding. Higher number means clotting)
What are platelets also called?
Thrombocytes
