The lymphatic system Flashcards
Functions of Blood
Transport: Oxygen, CO2, nutrients, waste products, hormones.
Homeostasis: Regulates body temperature, fluid balance, pH.
Protection: Provides clotting factors, carries antibodies against invaders.
Blood Components: Plasma
Plasma (~55%)
Proteins, Albumins, Water, Globulins, Fibrinogens
Blood Components: Cells
Cells (~45%)
* RBC
* erythrocytes
* WBC
* leukocytes
* Platelets
Hemoglobin
- heme = iron globin = protein
- Pigment in RBC that increases its ability to carry oxygen
- Anemia: A deficiency in hemoglobin or RBC decreases oxygen delivery to tissue.
Red Blood Cells: Erythrocytes
Function: Carry oxygen.
Shape changes when theres low oxygen and provides 20%-30% more surface area for gas exchange.
Lifespan of ~3 months
Lack a nucleus, preventing reproduction.
Come from stem cells in bone marrow.
Men typically have higher RBC counts than women.
Higher altitude living correlates with increased RBC counts.
White Blood Cells: Leukocytes
Less abundant compared to red blood cells.
Possess a nucleus, enabling reproduction.
Produced in bone marrow and modified by lymph nodes.
Pus is leftover proteins from WBCs
Produce antibodies to neutralize and stop infection
Platelets
- No nucleus
- Irregularly shaped
- Produced by the bone marrow
- Very fragile and will rupture if they strike a sharp edge
- Initiate blood clotting reactions
Blood Clotting Steps
- When encountering a rough surface platelets release thromboplastin
- Thrombo
- Thrombin converts fibrinogen into fibrin.
- Fibrin forms a mesh-like structure, sealing the cut with a clot.
When Blood Clotting Goes
Wrong
- Thrombus, a blood clot forming within a vessel, stopping oxygen and nutrients, may cause a brain stroke or cause the heart a coronary artery clot.
- Embolus, a dislodged clot that causes different embolisms
- Hemophilia, clotting chemicals.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis, blood clots forming in deep veins, like legs, causing pain, swelling, and engorged veins.
Antigen
- Special protein markers found on the surface of cells.
- Any Substance that causes the body to make an immune response against that substance
- Function: Antigens allow your body to create a defense against future invaders
- Examples include Toxins, Chemicals, Bacteria, & Viruses
Antibody
Produced by B-lymphocytes, recognize and neutralize foreign substances.
They circulate in the blood, targeting bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
Their role is pivotal in immune defense, as they identify and attack specific antigens.
Upon re-exposure to the same antigen, antibodies trigger a rapid and potent immune response.
Lymph
Made up of interstitial fluid containing WBC and either colorless or pale yellow.
Hemolytic Disease of the
Newborn
- Occurs when the father is Rh+ and the mother is Rh-
- Can cause hemolytic anemia in the newborn
Thanks to modern medicine the mother can now be given a shot of Rh immunoglobin that prevents the production of antibodies
The Lymphatic System
o A network of vessels and nodes (glands) closely associated with the capillaries of the cardiovascular system
o Vessels collect a clear fluid called lymph, which is similar to the composition of blood plasma (“interstitial fluid”)
o Lymph helps to maintain the balance of fluids in the body, bathing cells in interstitial fluid, as it mixes with general blood circulation.
Role of the Lymphatic System
- Maintain Fluid Balance – Collect and return leaked proteins and interstitial fluid to the blood to maintain blood volume. Plasma (exiting capillaries) and interstitial fluid can enter vessels of the lymphatic system in the form of lymph.
- Transport Lipids – specialized lymph capillaries in intestines disperse digested fats. Absorb lipids from the intestine and transport them to the blood (lacteals)
- Protect Against Infection – Defend the body against disease by storing white blood cells in lymph nodes. Lymphocytes and macrophages are located in lymph nodes (glands).