Platelets/Thrombocytes Flashcards
What are platelets also called?
thrombocytes
What is the function of platelets?
help initiate formation of blood clots, close breaks in damaged blood vessels
What is blood plasma made up of?
92% water and proteins (liquid portion of blood)
What proteins are in plasma?
albumin, fibrinogen, globulins
What percentage of blood is plasma?
55%
What is the function of plasma?
transport nutrients, gasses, vitamins, maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, and pH
What are albumins for?
blood pressure
What are globulins for?
transport antibodies
What is fibrinogen for?
blood clotting
How is myeloma cancer different from leukemia?
effects the plasma cells rather than blood cells
What is hemostasis?
process of stopping bleeding, involves coagulation and the clotting of blood to seal site of damage
What is coagulation?
the thickening of blood to form a clot (hematoma)
What is the first key event in hemostasis?
blood vessel spasm, the vasoconstrictor (serotonin) shrinks the vessel
What is the second key event in hemostasis?
platelet plug formation, closes the opening
What is the final event in hemostasis?
blood coagulation, fibrin forms over the plug and reinforces (forms a scab)
What is thrombin?
an enzyme in blood plasma that causes the clotting of blood by converting fibrinogen to fibrin
What is thrombus?
an abnormal blood clot
What is embolus?
when the clot moves to another place
What is a pulmonary embolism?
when a blood clot goes to the lungs
Why are newborns given vitamin K injections?
prevents a bleeding disorder called “vitamin K deficiency bleeding”
What is hemophilia?
“bleeders disease”, carried on the X chromosome from mother to son, blood doesn’t clot & leads to crisis w/ minor injuries
If a woman is a carrier for hemophilia, what is the chance of having a child w/ the disease?
25%
How much blood is taken for a blood donation?
1 pint of blood (1/2 liter), 10% of blood
