CVS - Blood P1 Flashcards
What is the CVS composed of?
*blood (only liquid connective tissue)
*vessels
*heart
What is blood made up of?
*red blood cells (which carry oxygen)
*white blood cells (which fight infection)
*platelets (which help with clotting)
*plasma (contains nutrients, hormones and waste products)
What do arteries do and what is the largest artery?
These vessels carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body’s tissues. The largest artery is the aorta
What do veins do and what are the largest veins?
These vessels return deoxygenated blood back to the heart. The largest veins are the superior and inferior vena cava
What do the capillaries do?
These are small, thin-walled vessels where the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products occurs between blood and tissues
What does the heart do?
The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body. The heart ensures continuous blood circulation, supplying oxygen and nutrients to tissues and removing carbon dioxide and waste products
What are the three main functions of the blood?
*Transportation
*Protection
*Regulation
What type of protection mechanisms does the blood have?
Immune response (Antibodies, complement proteins, WBC)
Blood loss-Clotting (platelets)
What does the blood transport?
*O2, CO2 and other gases movement
*Nutrients
*Electrolytes
*Metabolic waste
*Hormones, Cytokines
What type of regulation does the blood do?
*body temp
*pH
*circulatory body fluid volume/concentration (osmosis)
What is the pH of blood?
pH = 7.4
What are the characteristics of blood?
A liquid connective Tissue (only fluid tissue in the Human Body)
A sticky viscous opaque fluid
Scarlet Red: High Oxygen (in Artery)
Dark Red: Low Oxygen (in vein)
Blood volume: 1.2 to 1.5 Gallons: 8-10% of body weight
Male: 5-6 L; Female: 4.5L
What is blood composed of?
*plasma 55%
*buffy coat 1%
*solids 44%
What makes up the red blood cells?
*Erythrocytes
What makes up the Buffy coat?
*leuocytes (white blood cells)
*platelets (thrombocytes)
What is blood plasma made up of?
Plasma: Straw-coloured sticky fluid
~90% water
~10% soluble components
- Plasma proteins- Albumin, globulin, fibrinogen
- Nutrients- Glucose, Amino acids, Cholesterol
- Gases- O2, CO2, traces (little bit <1%)
- Electrolytes- Sodium, Potassium, Chlorides & others
- Metabolic wastes- Urea
What is albumin (in plasma) responsible for?
*maintains osmotic pressure and transports hormones, vitamins, and drugs
What is globulin for?
include antibodies essential for immune response, and transport of proteins
What is fibrinogen for?
essential for blood clotting
What is haematopoiesis?
the process by which blood cells are formed
where does haematopoiesis occur?
*red bone marrow found in specific bones within the body
What cells are involved in haematopoesis?
The formation of blood cells involves haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), also known as haemocytoblasts, which differentiate into various types of blood cells under the influence of hormonal and growth factors
What is the process of leucopoiesis?
Formation of white blood cells (leucocytes) in the bone marrow
What is the process of Erythropoiesis?
Formation of red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the bone marrow
What is the process of Thrombopoiesis?
Formation of platelets (thrombocytes) in the bone marrow.
Involves the fragmentation of megakaryocytes.
Regulated by thrombopoietin (TPO), a hormone that stimulates platelet production
What are neutrophils responsible for?
*The most abundant type of white blood cell.
*Involved in the initial immune response, particularly against bacterial infections.
*Act through phagocytosis, engulfing and destroying pathogens
What are Lymphocytes responsible for?
*key players in adaptive immunity
*B-cells: produce antibodies to neutralise pathogens
*T-cells: include helper T-cells that coordinate the immune response and cytotoxic T-cells that kill infected cells
What are monocytes responsible for?
*Differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells.
*Involved in phagocytosis, engulfing pathogens and debris.
*Play a role in antigen presentation to T-cells, initiating the adaptive immune response
What are Eosinophils responsible for?
*Combat multicellular parasites, such as helminths.
*Involved in allergic reactions and asthma.
*Release cytotoxic granules to destroy parasites and modulate inflammation.
What are Basophils responsible for?
*Release histamine and other mediators involved in inflammatory responses.
*Play a role in allergic reactions and hypersensitivity.
*Contribute to the defence against parasites.
What is the structure of platelets?
Cell Fragments: Not whole cells, but fragments derived from megakaryocytes in the bone marrow.
Contains Mitochondria: Have energy-producing mitochondria.
No Nucleus: Lack a nucleus, unlike most cells
What is the function of platelets?
*blood clotting
*preventing blood loss
What is leukopenia and risks?
*low white blood cell count
*risk of infection
*sepsis
*potential for minor pathogen infections to become lethal
What is neutropenia and risks?
*low neutrophils
*risk of bacterial infections
e.g chemotherapy, bone marrow disorders, severe infections, autoimmune diseases
What is thrombocytopenia and risks?
*low platelet count
*risk of blood loss
*autoimmune condition in children:ITP
What is leucocytosis and risks?
*increase in white blood cells
*sign of infection
What is neutrophilia?
an increase in neutrophils in the blood
*sign of bacterial infection
*pneumonia
What is eosinophilia + risks?
*increased number of eosinophils in the blood
*sign of parasitic infection
*helminthiasis
What is lymphocytosis?
*increased number of lymphocytes in blood
*sign of viral infection
*hepatitis
What is monocytosis and risks
*increases number of monocytes in the blood
*sign of bacterial infection in tissues
*TB
What is the structure of red blood cells?
Biconcave Shape:
No Nucleus and Organelles: RBCs lack a nucleus and organelles, providing more space for haemoglobin.
Large Surface Area: The biconcave shape increases the surface area for gas exchange.
Anaerobic ATP Synthesis: RBCs generate ATP anaerobically, meaning they do not use the oxygen they transport
What is the haemoglobin content and functions for this?
97% of RBC Content: Haemoglobin makes up 97% of the dry weight of an RBC.
Function: Responsible for the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide. It binds oxygen reversibly, allowing for oxygen uptake in the lungs and release in tissues
What is spectrin and function?
Plasma Membrane Protein: Spectrin provides flexibility to the RBC membrane.
Function: Allows RBCs to deform and pass through small capillaries without rupturing
What is the structure of haem?
Red Pigment: Haem is the red pigment that gives red blood cells their colour.
Central Iron (Fe2+):
Each haem molecule contains a central iron (Fe2+) ion.
Oxygen Binding: Each Fe2+ ion can bind to one oxygen (O2) molecule, allowing haemoglobin to carry oxygen efficiently
What is the global structure?
Protein Component: Globin consists of four polypeptide chains.
Polypeptide Chains:
Two Alpha Chains: There are two identical alpha (α) chains.
Two Beta Chains: There are two identical beta (β) chains
