blood Flashcards
(152 cards)
Describe the mechanisms of haemostasis.
Haemostasis involves a series of processes that prevent and stop bleeding, including vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and coagulation cascade activation.
Define coagulation in the context of physiology.
Coagulation is the process by which blood changes from a liquid to a gel, forming a blood clot to prevent excessive bleeding.
How do disorders of haemostasis affect the body?
Disorders of haemostasis can lead to excessive bleeding or thrombosis, impacting the body’s ability to maintain normal blood flow and respond to injuries.
Explain the inflammatory responses to tissue injury.
Inflammatory responses to tissue injury involve a complex biological process that includes the activation of immune cells, release of signaling molecules, and increased blood flow to the affected area to promote healing.
Describe the process of haemostasis.
Haemostasis is the process of stopping bleeding and keeping blood within the damaged vessel, involving three main steps: vasoconstriction, formation of a platelet plug, and blood coagulation.
What are the three main steps involved in haemostasis?
The three main steps involved in haemostasis are vasoconstriction, formation of a platelet plug, and blood coagulation.
Define vasoconstriction in the context of haemostasis.
Vasoconstriction is the constriction of blood vessels that occurs immediately after injury to reduce blood flow and minimize bleeding.
How does a platelet plug form during haemostasis?
A platelet plug forms through platelet activation and loose platelet aggregation at the site of injury, creating a temporary haemostatic plug.
What role does collagen play in the haemostasis process?
Collagen is exposed when the wall of a blood vessel is injured, triggering platelet activation and contributing to the formation of a platelet plug.
Explain the significance of tissue factor in haemostasis.
Tissue factor is a protein that is released upon injury to the blood vessel wall, initiating the coagulation cascade and leading to the formation of a definitive haemostatic plug.
What is the role of thrombin in blood coagulation?
Thrombin is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in blood coagulation by converting fibrinogen into fibrin, which helps stabilize the platelet plug and form a definitive haemostatic plug.
How does a definitive haemostatic plug differ from a temporary haemostatic plug?
A definitive haemostatic plug is a stable structure formed by fibrin and platelets that effectively seals the vessel, while a temporary haemostatic plug is primarily composed of aggregated platelets and is less stable.
Describe the origin of platelets in the human body.
Platelets are produced in the bone marrow from megakaryocytes.
How do platelets form from megakaryocytes?
Cytoplasmic extensions on the cell surface of megakaryocytes break off to form platelets.
Define the characteristics of platelets in terms of their cellular structure.
Platelets are anucleate, smaller than red blood cells, and colorless.
What organelles are found in the cytoplasm of platelets?
The cytoplasm of platelets contains mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER).
Identify the types of granules present in platelets.
Platelets contain dense granules, alpha granules, and lysosomal granules.
Describe the appearance of activated platelets in a blood smear.
Activated platelets show clumping in a blood smear.
Describe the role of serotonin in activated platelets.
Serotonin (5-HT) acts as a vasoconstrictor and is involved in platelet activation and aggregation.
What is the function of Platelet Activating Factor in platelet physiology?
Platelet Activating Factor promotes platelet activation and aggregation, converts membrane phospholipids to thromboxane A2, increases capillary permeability, and is involved in inflammation.
How does thromboxane A2 affect blood vessels?
Thromboxane A2 acts as a vasoconstrictor and increases capillary permeability.
Identify the source of ADP in activated platelets.
ADP is released from platelet mitochondria during activation.
Define the relationship between activated platelets and inflammation.
Activated platelets release substances that contribute to inflammation, including thromboxane A2 and Platelet Activating Factor.
How do monocytes and neutrophils relate to platelet activation?
Monocytes and neutrophils can also produce Platelet Activating Factor, contributing to platelet activation and aggregation.