Blood Cells

Study Notes

Red Blood Cells (RBCs):
- Also known as erythrocytes
- Produced in the bone marrow
- Function: carry oxygen from lungs to body tissues
- Contain the protein hemoglobin
White Blood Cells (WBCs):
- Also known as leukocytes
- Produced in the bone marrow
- Function: fight infection and disease
- Several types, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils
Platelets:
- Also known as thrombocytes
- Produced in the bone marrow
- Function: form blood clots to stop bleeding

Hematopoiesis: the process of blood cell production
Stem cells: undifferentiated cells that can develop into different types of blood cells
Growth factors: proteins that stimulate blood cell production, such as erythropoietin (EPO) for RBCs

Red Blood Cells (RBCs) are produced in the bone marrow and carry oxygen from the lungs to body tissues.
RBCs contain the protein hemoglobin and are also known as erythrocytes.
White Blood Cells (WBCs) are produced in the bone marrow and fight infection and disease.
WBCs are also known as leukocytes and have several types: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.
Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are produced in the bone marrow and form blood clots to stop bleeding.

Hematopoiesis is the process of blood cell production.
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can develop into different types of blood cells.
Growth factors, such as erythropoietin (EPO), stimulate blood cell production.

Oxygen transport is the function of RBCs, which carry oxygen from the lungs to body tissues.
WBCs fight infection and disease as part of the immune response.
Platelets form blood clots to stop bleeding.
WBCs respond to tissue damage or infection, leading to inflammation.

Anemia is a disorder characterized by a low RBC count or dysfunctional RBCs.
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects WBCs.
Thrombocytopenia is a disorder characterized by a low platelet count.
Blood clotting disorders, such as hemophilia, affect the blood's ability to form clots.