Anatomy & Physiology > Blood > Flashcards

Blood Flashcards

(69 cards)

Study These Flashcards
1
Q

What are the main functions of the blood?

A
  • Transport (O₂, nutrients, wastes, hormones, cytokines)
  • Protection from infection
  • Haemostasis (clotting)
  • Homeostasis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Where are albumins produced?

A

Liver

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Function of albumins

A

Control osmotic pressure (maintain blood volume and pressure)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How do albumins maintain blood volume and pressure?

A

By drawing water from the tissues into the capillaries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Types of globulins

A

Alpha, beta, and gamma globulins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Function of alpha and beta globulins

A

Transport lipids and fat-soluble vitamins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are gamma globulins?

A

Antibodies produced by activated B lymphocytes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Where is fibrinogen produced?

A

Liver

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Function of fibrinogen

A

Converted into fibrin for blood clotting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Another name for red blood cells

A

Erythrocytes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Main function of red blood cells

A

Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Shape of red blood cells

A

Biconcave discs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Do mature red blood cells have a nucleus?

A

No

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Lifespan of a red blood cell

A

About 4 months

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Where are dead RBCs removed?

A

Macrophages in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the process of RBC production called?

A

Erythropoiesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What hormone stimulates RBC production?

A

Erythropoietin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What protein are RBCs packed with?

A

Haemoglobin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is haemoglobin composed of?

A

Globin protein chains and haem groups

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the non-protein part of haemoglobin?

A

Haem group

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is at the centre of the haem group?

A

An iron atom

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Another name for platelets

A

Thrombocytes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Characteristics of platelets

A

Small, cell-like structures without a nucleus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What do platelet granules contain?

A

Chemicals involved in clotting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What is haemostasis?
The process of blood clotting
26
What is the role of fibrin in blood clotting?
Forms a mesh that traps blood cells and platelets
27
What is the intrinsic pathway of coagulation triggered by?
Activated by damage to the blood vessel lining
28
What is the extrinsic pathway of coagulation triggered by?
Activated by tissue factor released by damaged tissues
29
What do both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways lead to?
Activation of factor X
30
What does activated factor X convert?
Prothrombin to thrombin
31
What does thrombin convert?
Fibrinogen to fibrin
32
What is haemophilia A?
Deficiency in clotting factor VIII; X-linked and recessive
33
What is haemophilia B?
Deficiency in clotting factor IX; X-linked
34
What are the consequences of haemophilia A and B?
Delayed fibrin formation and prolonged bleeding
35
What is Von Willebrand disease?
Lack of von Willebrand factors and a VIII subunit
36
What does Von Willebrand disease prevent?
Proper platelet plug formation
37
What is the inheritance pattern of Von Willebrand disease?
Autosomal dominant
38
What is thrombocytopenia?
Insufficient number of platelets
39
What does thrombocytopenia lead to?
Difficulty forming platelet plugs and increased bleeding
40
What can a lack of vitamin K lead to?
Deficiency of clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X
41
What is leukopenia?
Deficiency in leukocytes, especially neutrophils
42
What does leukopenia increase the risk of?
Infections
43
What is leukocytosis?
Abnormal increase in leukocytes
44
What can leukocytosis indicate?
Inflammatory diseases, often after chronic infections
45
What is leukaemia?
Tumour of leukocyte precursors in bone marrow
46
What does leukaemia lead to?
Overproduction of abnormal WBCs
47
How can leukaemia be classified?
- Acute or chronic - Lymphoid or myeloid
48
What type of cells do acute leukaemias arise from?
Less mature cells
49
What is aplastic anaemia?
Defect in bone marrow
50
What can cause aplastic anaemia?
Exposure to radiation or chemicals
51
What is iron deficiency anaemia caused by?
Lack of iron, often due to blood loss or menstruation
52
What does iron deficiency anaemia lead to?
Poorly formed RBCs
53
What is the underlying cause of sickle cell anaemia?
Mutation in haemoglobin
54
What happens to RBCs in sickle cell anaemia under low oxygen?
They adopt a sickle shape
55
What are the consequences of sickle-shaped RBCs?
Blockages in small blood vessels, ischemia, and pain
56
What is haemorrhagic anaemia?
RBCs are more prone to rupture and have a shortened lifespan
57
What is pernicious anaemia?
Autoimmune disease affecting B12 absorption
58
What does pernicious anaemia lead to?
Poorly formed RBCs
59
What normally prevents platelet activation?
- Intact epithelial layer separates blood from collagen - Endothelium secretes NO and prostaglandin (PGI2) - CD39 on endothelial cells breaks down ADP
60
What is the role of an intact epithelial layer in preventing platelet activation?
It separates the blood from exposure to collagen
61
How do NO and PGI2 prevent platelet activation?
They act as vasodilators and inhibitors of platelet aggregation
62
How does CD39 prevent platelet activation?
It breaks down ADP to AMP, and ADP promotes platelet aggregation
63
What triggers platelet activation?
Damage to the endothelial layer and exposure of blood to collagen
64
What happens when platelets are activated by collagen?
Platelets degranulate and they produce secretory granules
65
What do platelet granules contain?
ADP and thromboxane A2 (TxA2)
66
What is the role of ADP and thromboxane A2 in platelet activation?
They attract more platelets to the site and make platelets sticky.
67
What is the role of von Willebrand factor (vWF)?
It binds to collagen and platelets to anchor them to the injured site.
68
Where is von Willebrand factor produced?
Endothelial cells
69
What is the overall process of blood coagulation?
The process by which fluid blood forms a gelatinous clot to stop bleeding. It involves two initial pathways (intrinsic and extrinsic) that converge into a common pathway.
Anatomy & Physiology
flashcards
Decks in class (8)
# Cards
Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2026 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions