Blood Basics
This liquid part makes up about 55% of blood and carries proteins, electrolytes, and hormones.
What is plasma?
These WBCs are the first responders to bacterial infection and perform phagocytosis.
What are neutrophils?
Anemia is defined as a decrease in one or both of these.
Red blood cells and hemoglobin
This test measures stored iron in the body and is low in iron-deficiency anemia.
Ferritin
First two steps of hemostasis.
Vasoconstriction and platelet plug formation
This plasma protein maintains osmotic pressure and acts as a carrier for hormones and drugs.
What is albumin?
These WBCs rise during allergic reactions and parasitic infections.
What are eosinophils?
This anemia has small, pale RBCs and is most often caused by iron deficiency.
Microcytic anemia (iron-deficiency)
This test measures the blood’s ability to bind iron and is high when iron stores are low.
TIBC (Total Iron-Binding Capacity)
Bleeding disorder caused by deficiency of clotting factor VIII.
Hemophilia A
These cells carry oxygen throughout the body using hemoglobin.
What are red blood cells (RBCs)?
These cells release histamine and heparin during inflammation.
What are basophils (or mast cells)?
This vitamin deficiency causes large RBCs and neurologic symptoms like tingling or numbness.
Vitamin B12 deficiency (pernicious anemia)
Immature red blood cells used to measure bone marrow activity.
Reticulocyte count
Inherited bleeding disorder caused by deficiency of von Willebrand factor.
Von Willebrand disease
These cell fragments form platelet plugs during hemostasis.
What are platelets (thrombocytes)?
These agranulocytes become macrophages in tissues.
What are monocytes?
This anemia shows normal-sized RBCs but too few of them, often from acute blood loss or chronic disease.
Normocytic anemia
Test used to evaluate the extrinsic clotting pathway.
PT/INR
Genetic disease with HbS mutation that causes painful vaso-occlusive crises.
Sickle cell disease
Name two major functions of blood besides transport.
What are regulation (pH and temperature) and protection (immunity/clotting)?
These white blood cells produce antibodies and regulate immune defense.
Lymphocytes
Inherited disorder with abnormal globin chain production causing anemia.
Thalassemia
Test used to evaluate the intrinsic clotting pathway.
aPTT
Myeloproliferative disorder that causes too many RBCs, thick blood, and itching after hot showers.
Polycythemia vera