Blood Functions and Plasma Composition

The primary roles of blood include transport, regulation, fluid balance, and protection.

Blood carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, hormones, heat, and waste products.

Blood plasma is about 90-92% water and 8-10% dissolved substances, including electrolytes, nutrients, and waste.

Proteins like albumin in plasma help maintain osmotic pressure and fluid balance in the blood.

Important proteins in blood plasma include albumin, fibrinogen, and immunoglobulins for clotting and immunity.

Enzyme in saliva that starts starch digestion.

A mass of food formed in the mouth for swallowing.

Semi-liquid mixture of food and gastric juices in the stomach.

First part of the small intestine where most digestion occurs.

Stores and concentrates bile from the liver.

Produces digestive enzymes and hormones like insulin.

Enzyme in the stomach that breaks down proteins.

Primary site for nutrient absorption and digestion.

Digestive fluid produced by the liver that emulsifies fats.

Absorbs water and compacts waste into feces.

Smallest and most abundant plasma proteins (58%), crucial for osmotic pressure.

Key plasma protein involved in blood clotting process.

Percentage of blood volume made up of red blood cells.

Small, flexible cells without a nucleus, packed with hemoglobin for gas transport.

Red protein in RBCs that transports oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Process where RBCs carry oxygen from lungs to tissues.

RBCs transport CO2 from tissues to lungs for expulsion.

RBCs help maintain blood pH by buffering hydrogen ions.

Most abundant WBCs that fight bacterial and fungal infections.

WBCs that include B cells and T cells for antibody production and attack.

Red blood cells have A antigens and produce anti-B antibodies.

Blood type O has no A or B antigens and can donate to any type.

Occurs when the wrong blood type is given, leading to immune reaction.

Clumping of red blood cells due to antibodies binding to foreign cells.

Series of chemical reactions that lead to blood clot formation.

Constricted blood vessels that limit blood loss after injury.

Platelets adhere to exposed collagen, forming a plug at injury sites.

A protein that helps platelets adhere to damaged blood vessels.

A chemical released by activated platelets that stimulates further platelet aggregation.

The process of blood transforming from liquid to gel, forming a clot.

A network of fibers that stabilizes a blood clot and prevents excessive bleeding.

The process of breaking down a blood clot after it has fulfilled its function.

An inactive enzyme incorporated into clots that gets activated to dissolve clots.

A blood clot that forms in deep veins, often of the legs.

A clot that travels to the lungs, blocking blood flow.

Undesirable clot formation within blood vessels without injury.

Conditions that increase the likelihood of unwanted blood clots.

Use of compression stockings to improve leg circulation and prevent clots.

Medications that reduce blood clotting risk, like heparin and warfarin.

Immune cells that help clear out clot fragments after fibrinolysis.