Anatomy of Blood Components

Key Term Matching

• Plasma: Transports oxygen and carbon dioxide.
• Lymphocytes: White blood cells (WBCs) caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Hematocrit: Percentage of whole blood that is formed elements.
• Hematopoiesis: Process that produces formed elements (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets).
• Pernicious Anemia: Caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Megakaryocyte: Cell that produces platelets.
• Agglutination: Clumping of blood cells.
• Erythrocytes: Red blood cells.
• Antigen: Molecule that stimulates antibody production.
• Leukocytes: White blood cells (WBCs)
• Hemocytometer: Slide used to count red blood cells (RBCs).
• Hemoglobinometer: Used to measure hemoglobin concentration.
• Hemoglobin: Iron-containing protein in red blood cells (RBCs).
• Basophils: Increased in persons with allergies, related to WBCs.
• Polycythemia Vera: Condition of having too many RBCs
• Platelets: Play a role in blood clotting.
• Neutrophils: Increased in response to infection.
• Eosinophils: Play a role in allergic reactions.
• Aplastic Anemia: Results from loss of bone marrow's ability to produce blood cells.
• Sickle Cell Anemia: Inherited condition where RBCs have abnormal shape.

Critical Thinking Questions

• Differential White Blood Cell Count: A differential count helps identify the types of white blood cells (WBCs) that are elevated, helping diagnose the cause of infection. Increased neutrophils often indicate bacterial infection.
• Universal Donor: Type O- blood is considered a universal donor because it lacks A and B antigens, preventing recipient blood reactions.
• Hemoglobin Measurement: Hemoglobin is measured accurately after red blood cells are lysed (broken down) to free the hemoglobin and prevent interference.
• Leukemia and Bone Marrow: Leukemia disrupts red bone marrow function; this leads to decreased red blood cell (RBC) production causing Anemia and decreased platelet production, leading to easy bruising.

Additional Questions

• Insufficient RBCs/Hemoglobin Production:
• Pernicious Anemia: Problem with hemoglobin production caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Iron-Deficiency Anemia: Problem with hemoglobin production, caused by insufficient iron.
• Aplastic Anemia: Insufficient number of RBCs due to failure of bone marrow to produce blood cells.
• Sickle Cell Anemia: Insufficient number of normal RBCs due to abnormal RBC shape.
• Hemorrhagic Anemia: Insufficient number of RBCs from blood loss.
• Increased Leukocytes: An increase in leukocytes (white blood cells) could indicate infection, inflammation, or a hematologic disorder like leukemia.