Blood General Terms Flashcards
Erythrocytes
Also called ‘red blood cells’ or ‘RBCs’; cells that contain hemoglobin, an iron-containing pigment that binds oxygen in order to transport it to cells of body
Formed Elements
Solid, cellular portion of blood; consists of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets
Hematopoiesis
Process of forming blood
Leukocytes
Also called ‘white blood cells’ or ‘WBCs’; group of several different types of cells that provide protection against invasion of bacteria and other foreign material; able to leave bloodstream and search out foreign invaders (bacteria, virus, and toxins), where they perform phagocytosis
Plasma
Liquid portion of blood containing 90% water; remaining 10% consists of plasma proteins (serum albumin, serum globulin, fibrinogen, and prothrombin), inorganic substances (calcium, potassium, and sodium), organic components (glucose, amino acids, cholesterol), and waste products (urea, uric acid, ammonia, and creatine)
Platelets
Cells responsible for coagulation of blood; also called ‘thrombocytes’ and contain no hemoglobin
Red Blood Cells (RBC)
Also called ‘erythrocytes’ or ‘RBCs’; cells that contain hemoglobin and iron-containing pigment that binds oxygen in order to transport it to cells of body
White Blood Cells (WBC)
Blood cells that provide protection against invasion of bacteria and other foreign material