38 Questions
What is the primary function of the formed elements in blood?
To comprise the fluid matrix of blood
What is the process of producing formed elements in blood?
Hemopoiesis
What is the normal temperature of blood?
38°C (100.4°F)
What is the function of platelets in blood?
To form blood clots
What is the term for the thickness of a fluid?
Viscosity
What is the process of separating whole blood for clinical analysis?
Fractionation
What is the function of red blood cells in blood?
To transport oxygen
What is the fluid portion of blood composed of?
Water, plasma proteins, and other solutes
What is the typical duration of bleeding from a sharp prick of the finger or earlobe?
2 to 7 minutes
How many phases are involved in the process of hemostasis?
3
What happens to endothelial cells during the vascular phase?
They contract and expose the basal lamina
What is the role of endothelins in the vascular phase?
They stimulate smooth muscle contraction and cell division
What makes endothelial plasma membranes 'sticky' during the vascular phase?
Changes in the plasma membrane structure
When does the platelet phase of hemostasis begin?
Within 15 seconds after injury
What do activated platelets release during the platelet phase?
Chemicals that promote aggregation
What is the purpose of the basal lamina in the vascular phase?
To expose it to the bloodstream
What is the primary function of leukotrienes in the immune response?
To attract other phagocytes and help coordinate the immune response
What is the main consequence of a neutrophil's breakdown after engulfing bacteria?
Formation of pus
What is the typical nucleus shape of an eosinophil?
Bilobed
What is the primary function of eosinophils in the immune response?
To attack large parasites
What percentage of circulating WBCs are basophils?
Less than 1%
What is the primary function of monocytes in the immune response?
To enter peripheral tissues and become macrophages
What is the outcome of monocytes engulfing large particles and pathogens?
Secretion of substances that attract immune system cells and fibrocytes
What is the outcome of fibrocytes being attracted to an injured area?
Scarring of the tissue to wall off the injured area
What percentage of plasma proteins are globulins?
35%
What is the primary function of hemoglobin in red blood cells?
To bind and transport oxygen and carbon dioxide
Which of the following is NOT a type of globulin?
Fibrinogen
What is the percentage of red blood cells in the formed elements of blood?
99.9%
What is the liquid part of a blood sample in which dissolved fibrinogen has converted to solid fibrin?
Serum
What is the percentage of other plasma proteins in the blood?
1%
What is the role of prothrombin activator in the blood clotting process?
Converts prothrombin into the enzyme thrombin
What is the primary function of thrombin in the blood clotting process?
Converts fibrinogen into insoluble strands of fibrin
What is the term for the process of dissolving a clot?
Fibrinolysis
What is the role of calcium ions in the blood clotting process?
Essential for the clotting process
What is the role of platelets in the clotting process?
Contracts to pull the torn area together
What is the function of antithrombin-III in the blood clotting process?
Deactivates clotting factors
What is the role of vitamin K in the blood clotting process?
Essential for the clotting process
What is the term for the process of restricting blood clotting?
Blood clotting restriction
Study Notes
Introduction to the Cardiovascular System
- The cardiovascular system is a circulating transport system consisting of a pump (the heart), a conducting system (blood vessels), and a fluid medium (blood).
- Blood is a specialized fluid of the connective tissue, containing cells suspended in a fluid matrix.
Functions of Blood
- Transports dissolved substances
- Regulates pH and ions
- Restricts fluid losses at injury sites
- Defends against toxins and pathogens
- Stabilizes body temperature
- Transports materials to and from cells, including oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, hormones, immune system components, and waste products.
Physical Characteristics of Blood
- Whole blood consists of plasma and formed elements
- Plasma is a fluid consisting of water, dissolved plasma proteins, and other solutes
- Formed elements include red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets
- Hemopoiesis is the process of producing formed elements
- Fractionation is the process of separating whole blood for clinical analysis
- Blood has a normal temperature of 38°C (100.4°F), high viscosity, and three general characteristics
Plasma Proteins
- Globulins (35%) include antibodies, transport globulins, and other proteins
- Fibrinogen (4%) forms clots and produces long, insoluble strands of fibrin
- Serum is the liquid part of a blood sample, in which dissolved fibrinogen has converted to solid fibrin
- Other plasma proteins include enzymes, hormones, and prohormones (1% of plasma)
Formed Elements
- Red blood cells (RBCs) make up 99.9% of blood formed elements, contain hemoglobin, and bind and transport oxygen and carbon dioxide
- White blood cells (WBCs) include:
- Neutrophils (50-70% of circulating WBCs): attract other phagocytes, help coordinate immune response, and form pus
- Eosinophils (2-4% of circulating WBCs): attack large parasites, have granules that excrete toxic compounds, and are sensitive to allergens
- Basophils (<1% of circulating WBCs): accumulate in damaged tissue, have granules that contain histamine and heparin, and release histamine and heparin
- Monocytes (2-8% of circulating WBCs): are large and spherical, enter peripheral tissues and become macrophages, engulf large particles and pathogens, and secrete substances that attract immune system cells and fibrocytes to injured areas
Blood Clotting
- Consists of three phases: vascular, platelet, and coagulation
- The vascular phase includes:
- Endothelial cells contract, exposing basal lamina to bloodstream
- Endothelial cells release chemical factors and local hormones
- Endothelial plasma membranes become "sticky"
- The platelet phase includes:
- Attachment of platelets to sticky endothelial surfaces, basement membrane, and exposed collagen fibers
- Platelets release chemicals that promote aggregation, vascular spasm, clotting, and vessel repair
- Clot retraction involves platelet contraction, pulling the torn area together, and takes 30-60 minutes
- Blood clotting is restricted by anticoagulants, protein C, and prostacyclin
- Fibrinolysis is the slow process of dissolving clots, involving thrombin and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA)
- Calcium ions and vitamin K are essential to the clotting process
Discover the functions of blood, including transport of dissolved substances, regulation of pH and ions, and restriction of fluid loss. Learn about the cardiovascular system, its components, and the role of blood as a specialized fluid of the connective tissue.
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