intro to blood Flashcards
(12 cards)
What are the main physiological functions of blood?
Respiration, transport of nutrients and waste, hormone delivery, immune protection, tissue repair, and thermoregulation.
What are the main components of blood?
Plasma and formed elements: red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets.
What is the function of red blood cells (erythrocytes)?
Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide using haemoglobin; play a critical role in respiration.
What is haematopoiesis?
The formation of blood cells in the bone marrow from stem cells through a process of differentiation.
What is anaemia and what causes it?
A condition of reduced haemoglobin or RBCs, caused by iron deficiency, chronic blood loss, or malabsorption.
What is polycythaemia?
A condition with elevated RBC levels often caused by bone marrow disorders, tumors, or chronic hypoxia.
What are the main types of white blood cells and their functions?
Neutrophils (bacterial infection), eosinophils (parasites/allergy), basophils (histamine release), monocytes/macrophages (phagocytosis), lymphocytes (immune response).
What is leukaemia?
Cancer of the WBCs involving uncontrolled proliferation; classified as AML, CML, ALL, or CLL.
What is leukopenia?
Reduced WBC count due to bone marrow failure, infections, chemotherapy, or immunosuppressive drugs.
What are platelets and what is their role?
Cell fragments derived from megakaryocytes; essential for blood clotting (haemostasis).
What are common disorders related to platelets?
Thrombocytopenia (low count), thrombocythemia (high count), both affecting clotting and bleeding.
How are blood cells destroyed?
Old or damaged blood cells are removed by phagocytes in the spleen, the body’s largest blood filter.
