blood & immune system lecture 1 Flashcards
blood consists of what 3 components?
1) erythrocytes
2) leukocytes
3) platelets
what are erythrocytes?
RBC (important for O2 transport)
what are leukocytes?
WBC (immune systems mobile defence unit)
what are platelets?
cell fragments (important in homeostasis)
what is homeostasis?
equilibrium, balance
what are the 3 physiological roles of blood?
- carrying O2, nutrients, hormones, metabolic wastes, heat
- regulation of body temp, pH
- protection through clotting & immunoglobulins
what are the components of plasma?
1) water
2) electrolytes
3) nutrients, wastes, gas, hormones
what are the 3 plasma proteins?
1) albumins
2) globulins
3) fibrinogen
what is albumin?
transport substances, contribute to colloid osmotic pressure (non-specific)
what are the 2 types of globulins?
1) alpha & beta
2) gamma
what are alpha & beta globulins?
transport water-insoluble substances
- includes clotting factors and inactive precursor
molecules
- Specific (e.g. cholesterol, iron, complement, etc…)
what are gamma globulins?
antibodies
what is fibrinogen?
an inactive precursor for a clot’s fibrin meshwork
what is the percentage of body weight that accounts for blood?
8%
how many litres of blood does a female have?
5 L