Unit 1: Blood Flashcards
Formed elements in blood are called…
Cells (3 types)
Erythrocytes - red blood cells
Leukocytes - white blood cells
Thrombocytes - platelets
Blood plasma
Liquid portion of the blood that consists of water and dissolved substances such as gases, nutrients, waste products, regulatory substances and proteins
Ratio of formed elements (cells) to plasma
45% formed elements and 55% plasma
Define hematocrit
Measurement of the proportion of red blood cells in a whole blood sample (done through centrifuge)
Average hematocrit in males and females
Females - 38-48%
Males - 40-52% (do to testosterone levels that encourage erythrocyte production)
What can a centrifuge of blood tell a doctor about a patient?
Can show anemia, blood loss or polycythemia (too many red blood cells)
Low hematocrit = anemia or over hydration (30)
High hematocrit = dehydration or too many red blood cells or high altitudes (60)
Function of erythrocytes
To transport oxygen through a protein called hemoglobin
Aka red blood cells
Erythropoiesis
Red blood cells or erythrocytes are created
In red bone marrow (takes about four days)
Do not have a nucleus and only circulate for 120 days
Evolution to erythrocytes
- Stem cell (hemocytoblasts)
- Proerythroblast
- Erythroblast
- Normoblast
- Reticulocyte
- Erythrocytes (red blood cells)
Erythropoietin (EPO)
Hormone secreted by the kidney that stimulates red blood cell production
Low oxygen levels in the blood stimulates the release of this hormone
Other nutrients important for production of red blood cells
B-12, Folic acid, iron, enough calories and protein
Hemoglobin
Pigmented protein which consists of 4 polypeptide chains
Heme
On hemoglobin that has a complex carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen ring and an iron atom in the middle (important for red blood cell production)
Hemolysis
Rupturing or breakdown of the erythrocytes (recycles and either creates more erythrocytes or used for other functions in the body)
Where does red blood cell breakdown happen?
Spleen and liver
Non-iron part of heme is converted to this during red blood cell breakdown
Bilirubin
Then is secreted in bile and if not secreted properly it can build up and cause jaundice
Function of leukocytes (white blood cells)
Protect body from infections
Do have a nucleus unlike red blood cells
List five types of white blood cells
- Neurtrophils
- Eosinophils
- Basophils
- Monocytes (macrophages)
- lymphocytes (b cells and t cells)
Neutrophils
Type of white blood cell that Helps protect against microorganisms
Eosinophils
Type of white blood cell for inflammation/allergic reaction and parasitic infections
Basophils
White blood cell Involved in allergic reactions
Monocytes
Large wandering white blood cells which phagocytize pathogens and cellular debris
(Macrophages - monocytes that have moved from blood to tissue)
Lymphocytes
Recognize specific pathogens and toxins and can destroy cancer cels (immune response)
- b cells- antibodies
- t cells - attack specific pathogens
Thrombin
An enzyme in blood plasma that causes clotting by converting fibrinogen to fibrin
(Prothrombin is converted to this)
Hemostasis
Thrombocytes are involved in this process of blood clotting
Develop in red bone marrow, have no nucleus and only live a short period of time
Four phases of hemostasis
- Vasospasm
- Platelet plug formation
- blood clotting
- clot retraction/dissolution
Vasospasm
- vascular spasm or constriction
- decreases blood flow to prevent too much blood loss
Platelet plug formation
Accumulation of platelets on the damaged collagen of the blood vessel
Blood clotting
Aka coagulation
- network of protein fibers that trap blood cells and fluid to seal of the area that is affected
Plasmin
An enzyme that breaks down the insoluble fibrin threads (dissolves clot)
Thromboxane A2
Causes more platelets to attach
Fibrin
The clot
Fibrinogen is concerted into fibrin
Tissue thromboplastin
Tissue factor that triggers the activation of factor X (extrinsic pathway)
Clotting factors
Made by the liver, circulates in plasma in inactive form
Three major proteins in plasma
- Albumin - maintains osmotic pressure
- globulin - antibodies secreted by white blood cells
- fibrinogen - involved in blood clotting
Sickle cell anemia
- generic condition where the hemoglobin has an abnormal configuration (sickle shape instead of biconcave)
Greater risk of lysis of cells
Causes weakness and fainting and enlarged spleen
Anemia
Low number of circulating red blood cells or hemoglobin or both (can slow down coagulation process)
Polycythemia
Excessive number of red blood cells
Neutropenia
Low neutrophil numbers in white blood cell
Can be caused by marrow depression by a virus, drugs or radiation
Leukemia
Increased white blood cells
Albumin
Blood protein synthesized by the liver for transport and maintenance of osmotic pressure
Globulins
Blood proteins for immune system
The suffixes that mean deficiency and excess
Penia - low
Osis - excess
Blood serum
Plasma minus fibrinogen or the liquid portion of clotted blood
CBC
Complete blood count
A common test that measures levels of the three types of cells in blood
Differential white blood count
Measure of the percentage of the different leukocytes in blood (to diagnose certain diseases)
Neutrocytosis
High number of neutrophils Due to bacterial infection or acute inflammation
Eosinopenia
Low eosinophils due to stress or corticosteroids administration
Eosinocytosis
High eosinophils due to allergic reaction or Parasitic infection
Causes of leukocytosis
Excess leukocytes
Caused by infections, injuries or arthritis, some kinds of leukemia…
Causes of basopenia
Low basophils
Hyperthyroidism, infection, stress reaction…
Causes of lymphocytosis
High lymphocytes
- lymphocytic leukemia
- hepatitis A, B, C
- aids
- hypothyroidism
Define platelets
A small colorless disk shaped cell fragment that does not contain a nucleus and is involved in clotting
