Blood LAB Flashcards
The characteristics of blood
Blood is a type of connective tissue; its cells are scattered in an abundant matrix called the plasma. Fibers are present in the matrix when it clots.
Name the components of the blood. Briefly describe the general function of each.
Plasma is the fluid fraction of the blood and is mostly water. 55% of whole blood.
Formed elements are 45% of whole blood. RBCs: transport O2,
WBCs: immune response, Platelets: coagulation. All formed elements are produced in red bone marrow from stem cells.
Describe each of the three formed elements and list the approximate normal number of each
RBCs:
-biconcave, most numerous, anucleate as adults, 4.5-6M/mm^3
WBCs:
-pale unless stained, granulocyte or agranulocyte cytoplasms, nucleate, 5,000-10,000/mm^3
Thrombocytes:
-small cell fragments, anucleate, cluster, 150,000-400,000/mm^3
Define hematocrit
Hematocrit is the ratio of packed red blood cells to the total blood volume
State the approximate norms for both male and female hematocrit
Adult males 47% + or -5%
Adult females 42% + or -5%
What are the types of leukocytes
The granulocytes are eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils
Agranulocytes are lymphocytes and monocytes
Describe eosinophils
Cytoplasm filled with large orange red marble like granules. Nucleus symmetrically bilobed. 2 to 4% of leukocytes.
Describe basophils
Cytoplasm with numerous large splotchy purple black granules which occlude the nucleus somewhat. Nucleus bilobed but usually occluded by granules. Less than 1% of leukocytes.
Describe neutrophils
Pink purple granules, relatively small. Multi lobed nucleus. 50 to 70% of leukocytes.
Describe agranulocytes
No granules, small to large cells, baby blue cytoplasm, uniformly dark, nearly spherical nucleus, 20 to 45% of leukocytes.
Describe monocytes
No granules, large cells, bluish gray cytoplasm, nucleus indented or kidney bean shaped, somewhat regularly dark, 3 to 8% of leukocytes.
Explain the basis for blood typing
There are antigens present on the surface of each red blood cell which are genetically determined and produced during the development of red blood cells in the red bone marrow. The blood type is named for the antigens present.
Describe the Rh factor
The The RH system is another important blood typing system. There is only one genetically coded antigen called the Rh factor. If the antigen is present the person is Rh positive if the protein is absent the person is Rh negative. Antibodies are not formed unless the person is exposed to Rh positive blood. Once exposed antibodies are formed and present from that point forward. Exposure can come from a transfusion or childbirth if the mother is Rh negative and the child is Rh positive.
Components of cardiovascular system
Blood: circulatory fluid
Heart: pump
Vessels: The pipes which carried the blood pumped by the heart
Explain the causes and prevention of erythroblastosis fatalis
Exposure can come from a blood transfusion or a childbirth if the mother is Rh negative and the child is Rh positive. In subsequent pregnancies, maternal antibodies can cross the placenta, attacking fetal red blood cells. This results in the destruction of fetal red blood cells. If too many are destroyed, it damages the fetus resulting in a condition called erythroblastosis fatalis.
