Week 2 - Composition of Blood Flashcards
(27 cards)
What are the two major components of blood?
Plasma and Cells
What percentage of blood’s total volume is plasma?
Around 55%
What is the composition of plasma?
Plasma is a yellowish solution made up of around 91% water, 7% proteins, and 2% electrolytes, nutrients, waste products, hormones, vitamins, and gases.
What role does fibrinogen play in blood?
Fibrinogen plays a role in clotting.
What are the three main categories of cellular components in blood?
Erythrocytes (red blood cells), Leukocytes (white blood cells), and Thrombocytes (platelets).
Where do all blood cells originate?
From multipotent stem cells found in bone marrow.
What are the primary lineages of blood cells?
Myeloid (produces red blood cells and platelets) and Lymphoid (produces lymphocytes).
What are the five primary types of leukocytes?
Lymphocytes, Neutrophils, Monocytes, Eosinophils, and Basophils.
What is the function of lymphocytes?
Crucial for adaptive immunity.
What is the most abundant type of leukocyte?
Neutrophils, which fight off infection.
What is the role of erythrocytes?
Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide.
What is the structure of hemoglobin?
Consists of 4 polypeptide chains: 2 alpha and 2 beta chains, each with a heme group containing iron.
What is the normal range of thrombocytes per microlitre of blood?
150,000 to 450,000.
What is haematopoiesis?
The process of blood cell formation.
What triggers erythropoiesis?
Tissue hypoxia.
What is anemia?
A deficiency in RBCs or hemoglobin leading to reduced oxygen delivery to tissues.
What is leukopenia?
A condition characterized by low WBC count.
What is vasoconstriction?
When blood vessels constrict to reduce blood flow to an injury site.
What is the role of platelets in hemostasis?
Form a temporary plug to seal wounds.
What is the coagulation cascade?
A series of events that lead to the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, stabilizing the platelet plug.
What are coagulation inhibitors?
Substances that prevent blood clotting in intact blood vessels.
What is fibrinolysis?
The process of breaking down blood clots.
What is thrombosis?
Blood clotting that occurs in intact blood vessels.
What is the role of inflammation in tissue repair?
Increased blood flow and permeability bring leukocytes to the site, aiding in healing.
