BackAnatomy & Physiology: Blood and Hemostasis
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1/28BackSkip to main contentBackWhat are the primary functions of blood?
Transport of gases, nutrients, hormones; Regulation of pH, temperature, fluid volume; Protection against blood loss and infection. What is the typical pH range of blood?
Blood is slightly alkaline with a pH range of 7.35-7.45. What are the main components of blood?
Blood consists of erythrocytes (RBCs), buffy coat (WBCs and platelets), and plasma. What is hematocrit?
The percentage of total blood volume composed of RBCs, 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. What is the primary function of hemoglobin?
To transport oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) by reversibly binding these gases. How many oxygen molecules can one hemoglobin molecule carry?
Each hemoglobin molecule can carry up to 4 oxygen molecules. What happens to hematocrit levels at high altitudes?
Hematocrit increases due to more erythrocytes being produced to compensate for lower oxygen availability. What are leukocytes and their main function?
White blood cells that defend the body against infection and foreign substances. Differentiate granulocytes and agranulocytes.
Granulocytes contain visible cytoplasmic granules; agranulocytes do not. Name the three types of granulocytes.
Neutrophils, Eosinophils, and Basophils. What is the role of neutrophils?
First responders to infection; perform phagocytosis and release enzymes to destroy microbes. What is the primary function of eosinophils?
Protect against parasitic infections and contribute to allergic responses. What role do basophils and mast cells play in immunity?
Involved in allergic reactions and inflammation by releasing histamine to increase capillary permeability. What are monocytes and their derivatives?
Agranulocytes that differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells, both phagocytic and antigen-presenting. What are lymphocytes and their types?
Leukocytes involved in adaptive immunity, including B cells, T cells, and Natural Killer (NK) cells. What are platelets and their function?
Cell fragments that plug holes in damaged blood vessels to prevent blood loss. What is hemostasis?
A fast, local, controlled process to prevent and stop bleeding after blood vessel injury. What are the three main steps of hemostasis?
1) Vascular spasm (vasoconstriction), 2) Platelet plug formation, 3) Coagulation (blood clotting). What initiates vascular spasm?
Chemicals like endothelins released by damaged endothelial cells and activated platelets cause vasoconstriction. Describe platelet plug formation steps.
Adhesion via von Willebrand factor, activation and degranulation releasing aggregating agents, and aggregation forming an unstable plug. What is the role of von Willebrand factor (vWF)?
Acts as a bridge between platelets and exposed collagen in damaged blood vessels to initiate plug formation. What are the two pathways of coagulation?
Extrinsic pathway (initiated by tissue factor outside blood) and intrinsic pathway (initiated by factors within blood). Outline the coagulation cascade phases.
Phase 1: Formation of prothrombin activator; Phase 2: Prothrombin converted to thrombin; Phase 3: Thrombin converts fibrinogen to fibrin. What is the function of thrombin in coagulation?
Converts soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin strands to stabilize the clot. What is clot retraction?
Platelet-driven process that contracts the clot and pulls vessel edges together to promote healing. What is fibrinolysis?
The breakdown of fibrin clots by plasmin to remove unneeded clots after healing. What could happen if fibrinolysis does not occur?
Leads to buildup of blood clots, increasing risk of thrombosis.
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