erythrocytes
Also called red blood cells or RBCs. Cells that contain hemoglobin, an iron-containing pigment that binds oxygen in order to transport it to the cells of the body.
formed elements
The solid, cellular portion of blood. It consists of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets.
hematopoiesis
The process of forming blood.
leukocytes
Also called white blood cells or WBCs. A group of several different types of cells that provide protection against the invasion of bacteria and other foreign material. They are able to leave the blood-stream and search out the foreign invaders (bacteria,
plasma
The liquid portion of blood containing 90% water. The remaining 10% consists of plasma proteins (serum albumin, serum globulin, fibrinogen, and prothrombin), inorganic substances (calcium, potassium, and sodium), organic components (glucose, amino acids,
platelets
Cells responsible for the coagulation of blood. These are also called thrombocytes and contain no hemoglobin.
red blood cell
Also called erythrocytes or RBCs. Cells that contain hemoglobin, and iron-containing pigment that binds oxygen in order to transport it to the cells of the body.
white blood cell
Blood cell that provides protection against the invasion of bacteria and other foreign material.
albumin
A protein that is normally found circulating in the bloodstream. It is abnormal for albumin to be in the urine.
amino acids
An organic substance found in plasma. It is used by cells to build proteins.
calcium
An inorganic substance found in plasma. It is important for bones, muscles, and nerves.
creatinine
A waste product of muscle metabolism.
fats
Lipid molecules transported throughout the body dissolved in the blood.
fibrinogen
Blood protein that is essential for clotting to take place.
gamma globulin
Protein component of blood containing antibodies that help to resist infection.
globulins
One type of protein found dissolved in the plasma.
glucose
The form of sugar used by the cells of the body to make energy. It is transported to the cells in the blood.
plasma proteins
Proteins that are found in plasma. Includes serum albumin, serum globulin, fibrinogen, and prothrombin.
potassium
An inorganic substance found in plasma. It is important for bones and muscles.
sodium
An inorganic substance found in plasma.
urea
A waste product of protein metabolism. It diffuses through the tissues in lymph and is returned to the circulatory system for transport to the kidneys.
bilirubin
Waste product produced from destruction of worn-out red blood cells; disposed of by the liver.
enucleated
The loss of a cell's nucleus.
hemoglobin (Hg)
Iron-containing pigment of red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissue.
agranulocyte
Nongranular leukocyte. This is one of the two types of leukocytes found in plasma that are classified as either monocytes or lymphocytes.
granulocyte
Granular polymorphonuclear leukocyte. There are three types: neutrophil, eosinophil, and basophil.
pathogens
Disease-bearing organisms.
basophil
A granulocyte white blood cell that releases histamine and heparin in damaged tissues.
eosinophils
A granulocyte white blood cell that destroy parasites and increases during allergic reactions.
neutrophil
A granulocyte white blood cell that is important for phagocytosis. It is also the most numerous of the leukocytes.
monocyte
An agranulocyte white blood cell that is important for phagocytosis.
lymphocytes
An agranulocyte white blood cell that provides protection through the immune response.
agglutinate
Clumping together to form small clusters. Platelets agglutinate to start the clotting process.
fibrin
Whitish protein formed by the action of thrombin and fibrinogen, which is the basis for the clotting of blood.
hemostasis
To stop bleeding or the stagnation of the circulating blood.
prothrombin
Protein element within the blood that interacts with calcium salts to form thrombin.
thrombin
A clotting enzyme that converts fibrinogen to fibrin.
thrombocytes
Also called platelets. Platelets play a critical part in the blood-clotting process by agglutinating into small clusters and releasing thrombokinase.
thromboplastin
Substance released by platelets; reacts with prothrombin to form thrombin.
ABO system
The major system of blood typing.
blood typing
The blood of one person is different from another's due to the presence of antigens on the surface of the erythrocytes. The major method of typing blood is the ABO system and includes types A, B, O, and AB. The other major method of typing blood is the Rh
Rh factor
An antigen marker found on erythrocytes of persons with Rh + blood.
type A
One of the ABO blood types. A person with type A markers on his or her RBCs. Type A blood will make anti-B antibodies.
type AB
One of the ABO blood types. A person with both type A and type B markers on his or her RBCs. Since it has both markers, it will not make antibodies against either A or B blood.
type B
One of the ABO blood types. A person with type B markers on his or her RBCs. Type B blood will make anti-A antibodies.
type O
One of the ABO blood types. A person with no markers on his or her RBCs. Type O blood will not react with anti-A or anti-B antibodies. Therefore, it is considered the universal donor.
universal donor
Type O blood is considered the universal donor. Since it has no markers on the RBC surface, it will not trigger a reaction with anti-A or anti-B antibodies.
universal recipient
A person with type AB blood has no antibodies against the other blood types and therefore, in an emergency, can receive any type of blood.
Rh-negative
A person with Rh- blood type. The person's RBCs do not have the Rh marker and will make antibodies against Rh + blood.
Rh-positive
A person with RH + blood type. The person's RBCs have the Rh marker.