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Anatomy & Physiology: Blood and Hemostasis

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Terms in this set (20)

  • What are the primary functions of blood?
    Transport of gases, nutrients, hormones; regulation of pH, temperature, fluid volume; protection against blood loss and infection.
  • What are the main components of blood?
    Blood consists of erythrocytes (RBCs), buffy coat (white blood cells and platelets), and plasma (90% water, electrolytes, proteins).
  • What is hematocrit?
    The percentage of total blood volume composed of erythrocytes, typically ranging from 36-50%.
  • Describe the structure of erythrocytes.
    Small, biconcave-shaped cells without a nucleus or organelles, coated with flexible proteins like spectrin to maintain shape and increase surface area.
  • What is the primary function of hemoglobin in erythrocytes?
    Hemoglobin is a protein that transports oxygen and carbon dioxide by reversibly binding these gases.
  • How many oxygen molecules can one hemoglobin molecule carry?
    Each hemoglobin molecule can carry up to \(4\) oxygen molecules, one per heme group.
  • What is the role of spectrin in erythrocytes?
    Spectrin maintains the shape and flexibility of erythrocytes, allowing them to deform as they pass through capillaries.
  • What are leukocytes and their main function?
    Leukocytes (white blood cells) defend the body against infection and foreign substances.
  • Differentiate granulocytes and agranulocytes.
    Granulocytes contain visible cytoplasmic granules; agranulocytes lack visible granules under a microscope.
  • Name the three types of granulocytes and a key feature of each.
    Neutrophils (multi-lobed nucleus, first responders), Eosinophils (bilobed nucleus, combat parasites), Basophils (two-lobed nucleus, involved in inflammation).
  • What is phagocytosis and which leukocyte primarily performs it?
    Phagocytosis is the process of engulfing and digesting microbes, primarily performed by neutrophils and macrophages.
  • What role do eosinophils play in immunity?
    Eosinophils protect against parasitic helminths and contribute to allergic responses.
  • What is the function of basophils and mast cells?
    They release histamine and other chemicals to increase capillary permeability and promote inflammation.
  • What are the two main types of agranulocytes?
    Monocytes (which differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells) and lymphocytes (B cells, T cells, and natural killer cells).
  • Describe the process of hemostasis.
    Hemostasis is a controlled process to stop bleeding involving vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and coagulation.
  • What triggers vascular spasm in hemostasis?
    Vascular spasm is triggered by chemicals like endothelins released from damaged endothelial cells causing vasoconstriction.
  • Outline the three steps of platelet plug formation.
    1) Adhesion: platelets bind exposed collagen via von Willebrand factor; 2) Activation: platelets release chemicals; 3) Aggregation: platelets recruit more platelets to form a plug.
  • What is the role of von Willebrand factor in hemostasis?
    It acts as a bridge between platelets and exposed collagen to initiate platelet adhesion.
  • Describe the coagulation cascade phases.
    Phase 1: formation of prothrombin activator via intrinsic or extrinsic pathways; Phase 2: conversion of prothrombin to thrombin; Phase 3: thrombin converts fibrinogen to fibrin to stabilize the clot.
  • What is fibrinolysis?
    The process of breaking down fibrin clots after healing, involving conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, a fibrin-digesting enzyme.