Blood System Vocab Flashcards
(137 cards)
1
Q
What is albumin?
A
Major protein in blood; maintains the proper amount of water in the blood.
2
Q
What is an antibody (Ab)?
A
Specific protein (immunoglobulin) produced by lymphocytes in response to bacteria, viruses, or other antigens. An antibody is specific to an antigen and inactivates it.
3
Q
What is an antigen?
A
Foreign substance or toxin that stimulates the production of an antibody.
4
Q
What is a basophil?
A
White blood cell containing granules that stain blue (with basic dye); associated with release of histamine and heparin.
5
Q
What is bilirubin?
A
Orange-yellow pigment in bile; formed by the breakdown of hemoglobin when red blood cells are destroyed.
6
Q
What is coagulation?
A
Blood clotting.
7
Q
What is a colony-stimulating factor (CSF)?
A
Protein factor that stimulates the growth and differentiation of developing blood cells. Examples are granulocyte CSF, erythropoietin, and thrombopoietin.
8
Q
What is differentiation?
A
Change in structure and function of a cell as it matures; specialization.
9
Q
What is electrophoresis?
A
Method of separating serum proteins by electrical charge and size.
10
Q
What is an eosinophil?
A
White blood cell containing granules that stain red; associated with allergic reactions.
11
Q
What is an erythroblast?
A
Immature red blood cell.
12
Q
What is an erythrocyte?
A
Red blood cell. There are about 5 million per microliter (uL) or cubic millimeter (mm³) of blood.
13
Q
What is erythropoietin (EPO)?
A
Hormone secreted by the kidneys; stimulates red blood cell formation.
14
Q
What is fibrin?
A
Protein that forms the basis of a blood clot.
15
Q
What is fibrinogen?
A
Plasma protein that is converted to fibrin in the clotting process.
16
Q
What is globulin?
A
Plasma protein; alpha, beta, and gamma (immune) globulins are examples.
17
Q
What is a granulocyte?
A
White blood cell with cytoplasmic granules: eosinophil, neutrophil, and basophil.
18
Q
What is a hematopoietic stem cell?
A
Cell in the bone marrow that gives rise to all types of blood cells.
19
Q
What is hemoglobin?
A
Blood protein containing iron: carries oxygen in red blood cells.
20
Q
What is heparin?
A
Anticoagulant found in blood and tissue cells.
21
Q
What is an immunoglobulin?
A
Protein (a globulin) with antibody activity; examples are IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE, IgD. Immun/o means protection.
22
Q
What is an immune reaction?
A
Response of the immune system to foreign invasion.
23
Q
What is a leukocyte?
A
White blood cell.
24
Q
What is an imphocyte?
A
Mononuclear leukocyte that produces antibodies to fight disease.
25
What is a macrophage?
Monocyte that migrates from the blood to tissue spaces. As a phagocyte, it engulfs foreign material and debris. In the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, macrophages destroy worn-out red blood cells and also engulf bacteria and other harmful organisms.
26
What is a megakaryocyte?
Large platelet precursor cell found in the bone marrow.
27
What is a monocyte?
Leukocyte with one large nucleus. It is a cell that engulfs foreign material and debris. Monocytes become macrophages as they leave the blood and enter body tissues.
28
What does mononuclear mean?
Pertaining to a cell (leukocyte) with a single round nucleus; lymphocytes and monocytes are mononuclear leukocytes.
29
What is a myeloblast?
Immature bone marrow cell that gives rise to granulocytes.
30
What is a neutrophil?
Granulocytic leukocyte formed in bone marrow. It is a phagocytic tissue-fighting cell. Also called a polymorphonuclear leukocyte.
31
What is plasma?
Liquid portion of blood; contains water, proteins, salts, nutrients, wastes, lipids, hormones, and vitamins.
32
What is plasmapheresis?
Removal of plasma from withdrawn blood. Collected cells are retransfused back into the donor. Fresh-frozen plasma or salt solution is used to replace withdrawn plasma.
33
What is a platelet?
Small blood cell fragment that collects at sites of injury to begin the clotting process.
34
What does polymorphonuclear mean?
Pertaining to a white blood cell with a multilobed nucleus; neutrophil.
35
What is prothrombin?
Plasma protein; converted to thrombin in the clotting process.
36
What is a reticulocyte?
Immature erythrocyte. A network (reticulum) of strands is seen after staining the cell with special dyes.
37
What is the Rh factor?
Antigen on red blood cells of Rh-positive (Rh+) individuals. The factor was first identified in the blood of a rhesus monkey.
38
What is serum?
Plasma minus clotting proteins and cells. Clear, yellowish fluid that separates from blood when it is allowed to clot. It is formed from plasma, but does not contain protein-coagulation factors.
39
What is a stem cell?
Unspecialized cell that gives rise to mature, specialized forms. A hematopoietic stem cell is the progenitor for all different types of blood cells.
40
What is thrombin?
Enzyme that converts fibrinogen to fibrin during coagulation.
41
What is a thrombocyte?
Platelet.
42
What is anisocytosis?
Cells are unequal in size
43
What is hypochromia?
Cells have reduced color (less hemoglobin)
44
What is macrocytosis?
Cells are large
45
What is microcytosis?
Cells are small
46
What is poikilocytosis?
Cells are irregularly shaped
47
What is spherocytosis?
Cells are spherical (loss of normal concave shape)
48
What is anemia?
Deficiency in erythrocytes or hemoglobin.
49
What is aplastic anemia?
Failure of blood cell production in the bone marrow.
50
What is the most common type of anemia?
Iron deficiency anemia.
51
What causes iron deficiency anemia?
A lack of iron, which is required for hemoglobin production.
52
What is pancytopenia?
Occurs when stem cells fail to produce leukocytes, platelets, and erythrocytes.
53
What are common causes of aplastic anemia?
The cause is often unknown (idiopathic), but some cases are linked to benzene exposure and rarely to antibiotics like chloramphenicol.
54
What treatments are available for aplastic anemia?
Blood transfusions, antibiotics, bone marrow transplantation, and immune system inhibitors.
55
What is hemolytic anemia?
Reduction in red cells due to excessive destruction.
56
What is an example of hemolytic anemia?
Congenital spherocytic anemia (hereditary spherocytosis).
## Footnote
Erythrocytes have a rounded shape, making them fragile and easily destroyed.
57
What happens to red cell survival in hemolytic anemia?
Shortened red cell survival results in increased reticulocytes as the bone marrow compensates for hemolysis.
58
How does spleen removal affect hemolytic anemia?
Removal of the spleen usually improves this anemia.
59
What is sickle cell anemia?
A hereditary disorder of abnormal hemoglobin producing sickle-shaped erythrocytes and hemolysis.
60
What causes the sickle shape of erythrocytes in sickle cell anemia?
An abnormal type of hemoglobin (hemoglobin S) in the red cell.
61
What are the complications of sickle cell anemia?
Serious complications include clotting, stroke, and reduced blood flow through the lungs with poor oxygenation.
62
What are common signs and symptoms of sickle cell anemia?
Arthralgias, acute attacks of abdominal pain, and ulcerations of the extremities.
63
Who is particularly affected by sickle cell anemia?
It is particularly prevalent among people of African or Hispanic ancestry.
64
What is the sickle cell trait?
Persons with the sickle cell trait inherit just one gene for the disorder and usually do not have symptoms.
65
What is an exploratory treatment for sickle cell anemia?
Gene therapy for correcting the mutation in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in bone marrow.
66
What is thalassemia?
An inherited disorder of abnormal hemoglobin production leading to hypochromia.
## Footnote
Thalassa is a Greek word meaning sea.
67
What causes pernicious anemia?
A lack of mature erythrocytes caused by the inability to absorb vitamin B12 into the bloodstream.
68
What are the characteristics of pernicious anemia?
It results in unsuccessful maturation of red blood cells, with an excess of large, immature, and poorly functioning cells in the bone marrow and large, often oval, red cells (macrocytes) in circulation.
69
How is pernicious anemia treated?
Treatment is injection or oral administration of vitamin B12 for life.
70
What is hemochromatosis?
A condition characterized by excess iron deposits throughout the body.
71
What are common signs and symptoms of hemochromatosis?
Skin pigmentation, joint pain, and fatigue.
72
What serious problems can occur without treatment for hemochromatosis?
Cirrhosis, diabetes, and cardiac failure.
73
What is polycythemia vera?
A general increase in red blood cells (erythremia).
74
What is the blood consistency in polycythemia vera?
Blood consistency is viscous (thick) due to greatly increased numbers of erythrocytes.
75
What treatments are available for polycythemia vera?
Reduction of red cell volume to normal levels by phlebotomy and by suppressing blood cell production with myelotoxic drugs.
76
What is hemophilia?
Excessive bleeding caused by hereditary lack of factors VIII or IX necessary for blood clotting.
77
What is the platelet count in patients with hemophilia?
The platelet count is normal.
78
What results from the deficiency in clotting factors in hemophilia?
It results in a prolonged coagulation time.
79
Where do patients with hemophilia often bleed?
They often bleed into weight-bearing joints, especially ankles and knees.
80
What is the treatment for hemophilia?
Treatment consists of administration of the deficient factors.
81
What progress is being made in treating hemophilia?
Progress is being made in treating hemophilia with gene therapy.
82
What is purpura?
Purpura refers to multiple pinpoint hemorrhages and accumulation of blood under the skin, leading to reddish or bluish discoloration.
## Footnote
Lesions appear with increasing volume of bleed.
83
What are petechiae and ecchymoses?
Petechiae are small, pinpoint purple or red spots on the skin, while ecchymoses are larger, blue or purplish bruises.
84
What can cause purpura?
Purpura can result from immunologic factors, where the body produces an antiplatelet factor that harms platelets.
## Footnote
Treatment may include splenectomy and drug therapy to decrease the immune response.
85
What is leukemia?
Leukemia is characterized by an increase in malignant white blood cells (leukocytes).
86
What are common clinical characteristics of acute leukemias?
Common signs and symptoms include fatigue, fever, bleeding, bone pain, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and hepatomegaly.
## Footnote
Headache and vomiting may occur if the disease spreads to the spinal canal.
87
What happens to normal blood cells in leukemia?
In leukemia, normal blood cells are crowded out, leaving patients with little defense against infection.
88
What are the four types of leukemia?
The four types of leukemia include Acute myeloid (myelocytic) leukemia (AML), where immature granulocytes (myeloblasts) predominate.
89
What happens to platelets and erythrocytes in AML?
In AML, platelets and erythrocytes are diminished due to infiltration and replacement of the bone marrow by large numbers of myeloblasts.
90
What is acute lymphoid (lymphocytic) leukemia (ALL)?
A form of leukemia where immature lymphocytes (lymphoblasts) predominate, most often seen in children and adolescents with a sudden onset.
91
What characterizes chronic myeloid (myelocytic) leukemia (CML)?
Both mature and immature granulocytes are present in large numbers in the marrow and blood. It is a slowly progressive illness often seen in adults older than 55.
92
What is the common treatment for all forms of leukemia?
Chemotherapy and targeted therapy are used to selectively injure rapidly dividing cells and interfere with signaling pathways in cells.
93
What is chronic lymphoid (lymphocytic) leukemia (CLL)?
A form of leukemia characterized by abnormal numbers of relatively mature lymphocytes, usually occurring in the elderly and following a slowly progressive course.
94
What is the purpose of high-dose chemotherapy before bone marrow transplantation?
It is administered to eliminate leukemic cells before restoring normal bone marrow function with transplantation from donors of similar tissue type.
95
What is granulocytosis?
An abnormal increase in granulocytes in the blood.
96
What is eosinophilia?
An increase in eosinophilic granulocytes, seen in allergic conditions like asthma or in parasitic infections (e.g., tapeworm, pinworm).
97
What is basophilia?
An increase in basophilic granulocytes, seen in certain types of leukemia.
98
What is mononucleosis?
Infectious, viral disease marked by increased numbers of mononucleosis.
## Footnote
Transmitted by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), it presents with fever, fatigue, asthenia, and pharyngitis.
99
How is mononucleosis transmitted?
Mononucleosis is usually transmitted by direct oral contact, such as exchange during kissing.
## Footnote
It primarily affects young adults.
100
What are the symptoms of mononucleosis?
Symptoms include fever, fatigue, asthenia (weakness), and pharyngitis, along with enlarged cervical lymph nodes.
## Footnote
Lymphocytes are present in the blood, liver, and spleen, leading to hepatomegaly and splenomegaly.
101
What is the treatment for mononucleosis?
No treatment is necessary for EBV infections; rest during acute symptoms and a slow return to normal activities are advised.
## Footnote
Antibiotics are not effective for self-limited viral illnesses.
102
What is multiple myeloma?
Malignant neoplasm of bone marrow characterized by malignant lymphocytes called plasma cells.
## Footnote
These produce antibodies that destroy bone tissue.
103
What complications arise from multiple myeloma?
Complications include osteolytic lesions, hypercalcemia, anemia, renal damage, and increased susceptibility to infection.
## Footnote
Bence Jones protein, an immunoglobulin fragment, is found in urine.
104
What is the treatment for multiple myeloma?
Treatment includes analgesics, various chemotherapy, and special orthopedic supports.
## Footnote
Autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) may lead to prolonged remission.
105
What are smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)?
These are precancerous conditions related to multiple myeloma.
## Footnote
Symptoms are not often present, but both may eventually progress to multiple myeloma.
106
What is the antiglobulin (Coombs) test?
This test determines the presence of antibodies in infants of Rh-negative mothers or in patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. It is also a screening test for blood transfusion compatibility.
107
What does a complete blood count (CBC) measure?
Determination of numbers of blood cells, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and red cell values—MCH, MCV, MCHC.
108
What is the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)?
Speed at which erythrocytes settle out of plasma.
## Footnote
Venous blood is collected into an anticoagulant, and the blood is placed in a tube in a vertical position. The distance that the erythrocytes sink in a given period of time under the influence of gravity alone is the sedimentation rate. The rate increases with infections, joint inflammation, and tumor, which increase the fibrinogen content of the blood. Also called sed rate for short.
109
What is atypical?
Atypical refers to something that deviates from the norm or is not typical.
110
What does atomegaly refer to?
Atomegaly is an abnormal enlargement of a gland, often related to salivary glands.
111
What is a hemoglobin test?
Total amount of hemoglobin in a sample of peripheral blood.
112
What is a platelet count?
Number of platelets per cubic millimeter (mm³) or microliter (µL) of blood.
## Footnote
Platelets normally average between 150,000 and 450,000 per mm³ (cu mm) or µL.
113
What is prothrombin time (PT)?
Test of the ability of blood to clot.
## Footnote
Prothrombin is one of the clotting factors made by the liver. This test is used to monitor patients taking certain anticoagulant drugs.
114
What is the INR?
The INR (international normalized ratio) is the ratio of a patient's prothrombin time compared with standard prothrombin time.
## Footnote
It is normally near 1. Patients on warfarin are maintained at INRs of 2 to 3.
115
What is partial thromboplastin time (PTT)?
Another blood clotting test that measures other clotting factors.
116
What is a red blood cell count (RBC)?
Number of erythrocytes per cubic millimeter (mm³) or microliter (µL) of blood.
## Footnote
The normal number is 4 million to 6 million per mm³ (or µL).
117
What is red blood cell morphology?
Microscopic examination of a stained blood smear to determine the shape of individual red cells.
## Footnote
Abnormal morphology includes anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, microcytosis, macrocytosis, and sickle cells.
118
What is a white blood cell count (WBC)?
Number of leukocytes per cubic millimeter (mm³) or microliter (µL) of blood.
## Footnote
Normal number averages between 7,000 and 10,000 per mm³ (or µL).
119
What is a white blood cell differential?
Percentages of different types of leukocytes in the blood.
## Footnote
Some instruments can produce an automated differential count, but otherwise, the cells are stained and counted under a microscope.
120
What does 'shift to the left' mean?
Describes an increase in immature neutrophils in the blood.
121
What is apheresis?
Separation of blood into component parts and removal of a select portion from the blood. This procedure can remove toxic substances or autoantibodies from the blood and can collect blood cells.
## Footnote
Examples include leukapheresis, plateletpheresis, and plasmapheresis.
122
What is blood transfusion?
Whole blood or cells are taken from a donor and infused into a patient. Appropriate testing to ensure a match of red blood cell type (A, B, AB) is essential.
123
What tests are performed before a blood transfusion?
Tests are performed to detect the presence of hepatitis and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) virus (HIV).
124
What is autologous transfusion?
The collection and later reinfusion of a patient's own blood or blood components.
125
What are packed cells?
A preparation of red blood cells separated from liquid plasma and administered in severe anemia to restore levels of hemoglobin and red cells without overdiluting the blood with excess fluid.
126
What is a bone marrow biopsy?
Microscopic examination of a core of bone marrow removed with a needle, helpful in the diagnosis of blood disorders such as anemia, pancytopenias, and leukemia.
127
What is bone marrow aspiration?
Bone marrow may be removed by brief suction produced by a syringe.
128
What is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation?
Peripheral stem cells from a compatible donor are administered to a recipient, often for patients with malignancies or severe autoimmune diseases.
129
What is the process for preparing a donor for stem cell transplantation?
The donor is treated with a drug that mobilizes stem cells into the blood, and then stem cells are removed from the donor.
130
What happens to the recipient during stem cell transplantation?
The patient undergoes a conditioning process with radiation and chemotherapy drugs to kill malignant marrow cells and inactivate the immune system.
131
What is autologous stem cell transplantation?
The patient's own stem cells are collected, stored, and reinfused after potent chemotherapy.
132
What is used in bone marrow transplantation?
Bone marrow cells are used rather than peripheral stem cells.
133
What problems may occur after bone marrow transplantation?
Serious infection, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), or relapse of the original disease.
134
What happens in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)?
The immunocompetent cells in the donor's tissue recognize the recipient's tissues as foreign and attack them.
135
Why can't the recipient's immune system defend against the attack in GVHD?
The recipient patient is totally immunosuppressed.
136
What is standard for patients undergoing allogeneic transplants?
Intensive prophylaxis with immunosuppressive drugs.
137
What are some immunosuppressive drugs used in allogeneic transplants?
Cyclopsorine, methotrexate, glucocorticoids, sirolimus (Rapamune), and mycophenolate.
