Blood & Cardiovascular System Objectives by Hollie Belthuis 1.

Describe the major functions of the cardiovascular system: Transportation, Regulation & Protection 2. Define formed elements & plasma: Formed elements = RBCs + WBCs + platelets(cell portion of blood) 45% & Plasma = 55% (the liquid portion of the blood) 3. Major plasma proteins, their functions & where they are produced: Composition plasma contains water, electrolytes, hormones, glucose, proteins, wastes, oxygen carbon dioxide, clotting factors, antibodies, enzymes, etc. Plasma Proteins 7% of Plasma proteins are Fibrinogen is converted to fibrin (insoluble long strands) that forms the framework for a blood clot. Produced in the liver. 4. Functions & Production Sites of the following: Erythrocytes (RBC) Produced in the blood marrow & transport oxygen & carbon dioxide. Leukocytes (WBC) There are 5 Types. They serve as part of the bodys immune system by protecting the body from invading bacteria, viruses & other pathogens. Neutrophils MOST COMMON 60-70%, produced in red bone marrow & 1st line of defense. Lymphocytes 20-30%, produced in lymphatic tissue, these cells are responsible for our immunity, & also reject grafts. Monocytes 2-8%, produced in red bone marrow, 2nd line of defense & also very important in chronic infection. Eosinophils 1-2%, produced in red bone marrow, these cells are important in allergies & fighting parasitic infections, also reduces inflammation. Basophils - 1%, produced in red bone marrow, releases histamine to promote inflammation & releases heparin to prevent clot formation. Thrombocytes (platelets) to form platelet plugs, normal # = 150,000-400,000, produced in red bone marrow. 5. Define hemostasis & explain the following mechanisms: Hemostasis = prevention of bleeding/blood halt. Vascular spasm blood vessel is injured, skin bruised. Platelet Plug blood vessel injured, occurs in small breaks. When platelets come into contact with the damaged blood vessel, their physical characteristic change by becoming larger & sticky, causing them to clump together & form a plug. This plug helps seal damaged vessels. Coagulation clot formation. The process of transforming fibrinogen into fibrin threads that tighten the platelet plug into a clot. 6. Define the following: Thrombus: a cluster of platelets, fibrin, clotting factors, & other cell elements of the blood usually attached to the interior wall of a vein or artery. It can block a blood vessel. Embolus: a foreign object such as a large bubble of air, or gas, a bit of tissue or tumor, or a piece of a blood clot that travels through the bloodstream until it becomes lodged in a vessel. Anticoagulant: referring to a substance or drug that prevents/delays blood clots. Thrombosis: formation of a clot in an unbroken blood vessel, usually a vein. Embolism: moving clot that can block a small artery such as in the lungs. Hemophilia: a group of hereditary bleeding disorders in which there is a lack of one of the factors needed to clot the blood. The severity of the disorder varies greatly with the extent of the lack of factors. Thrombophlebitis: a blood clot in a vein. 7. Define pathologies of the blood & the various forms of anemia & their causes: Anemia: a decrease in oxygencarrying capability. 2 causes: Decrease in hemoglobin (low iron or hereditary diseases) & decrease in red blood cells (red bone marrow failure to produce, inadequate amt. b12, inadequate amt. of folic acid, loss of blood or destruction of RBCs), hemophilia is inherited disease that almost always occurs in males. Characterized by inability to form clots, therefore spontaneous bleeding occurs. Red blood Cells disorders: Anemia: decrease in the oxygen-carrying capability. Tissue cells will not get the oxygen they need which may lead to ischemia. Polycythemia Vera: excess in red blood cells, causes can be cancer, long term exposure to high altitudes. Leukocytosis: elevated # of WBCs v10,000/mm3. Most common cause is infection. Leukemia: a type of cancer in which abnormal production of one or more leukocyte types is observed. The bone marrow release early, immature white blood cells into the blood stream & they cant function. Leukopenia: lower than normal WBC count. This can be due to virus, cancer therapy, & bone marrow destruction. Thrombocytopenia: low # of platelets. Tiny blood spots can form beneath the skin.