Leukocytes: The Body's White Blood Cells

Blood Components and Functions

• Platelets' main function is to help blood clot and stop bleeding when a vessel is injured.
• Red Blood Cells (erythrocytes) make up 45% of blood, as measured by hematocrit.

Thermoregulation

• When the body is hot, blood circulates more to the skin to help lose heat.

Oxygenation

• Oxygenated blood gets its brighter red color from oxygen binding to hemoglobin.

Immune System

• Antibodies help fight infections by recognizing and binding to specific pathogens.
• Individuals with Rh negative blood may develop Rh antibodies if exposed to Rh positive blood.

Blood Types

• Blood type AB has both A and B antigens on the erythrocytes.
• AB positive blood is considered the universal recipient because it can accept blood from any ABO type.

Erythrocytes

• Erythrocytes' main function is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues.

Plasma Proteins

• Albumin is the most common plasma protein.

Hemopoiesis

• A shortage of RBC stem cells can be caused by bone marrow failure or damage.
• Immunoglobulins are proteins known as antibodies.

Hemopoietic Growth Factors

• Hemopoietic growth factors stimulate the production of blood cells.

Thrombopoietin

• Thrombopoietin promotes the production of platelets.

Hemopoiesis Location

• Hemopoiesis occurs in the bone marrow.

Reticulocytes

• Reticulocytes are immature erythrocytes that mature in the bone marrow.

Hemoglobin

• Hemoglobin is made up of 4 proteins and 4 irons.

Pulse Oximetry

• A pulse oximeter measures the oxygen saturation of the blood.

High Elevations

• High elevations can cause a higher hematocrit due to the body's adaptation to lower oxygen levels.

Leukocytes

• Leukocytes' main function is to defend the body against infection and disease.
• Neutrophils and eosinophils, like mast cells, intensify inflammation.

B Cells

• B cells' primary function is to produce antibodies to fight infections.

Leukopenia

• Leukopenia is a condition characterized by too few leukocytes in the body.

Hemostasis

• Platelets play a crucial role in hemostasis by forming a platelet plug to stop bleeding.

Blood Clotting

• The intrinsic pathway of coagulation is caused by internal damage to the wall of a blood vessel.
• Hematologists define thrombosis as the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel.
• Vitamin K is an important factor for clotting.

Phagocytosis

• Neutrophils and macrophages are the primary cells responsible for cleaning up the body.

Thrombocytosis

• Thrombocytosis can increase the risk of blood clots.

Immune Cells

• B cells and T cells are involved in specific immunity.

Thromboplastin

• Thromboplastin helps to activate the clotting cascade in the coagulation process.