Key Terms for VNRS 164 Body Structures and Function
Key Terms Chapter 15
1. Albumin (285)- plasma protein that helps regulate plasma osmotic pressure thereby
“holding” water within the blood vessels; responsible for oncotic pressure
2. Anemia (286) – condition characterized by abnormally low amounts of hemoglobin or
low numbers of red blood cells.
3. Basophils (293) – type of granular leukocyte; stains blue.
4. Bilirubin (290) – pigment produced from the breakdown of hemoglobin and secreted
into the bile; an accumulation of bilirubin in the skin causes jaundice.
5. Clotting cascade (295)- series of reactions that describe the sequential activation of
clotting factors resulting in the formation of a blood clot.
6. Coagulation (294) – clotting of blood
7. Cyanosis (289) – bluish coloring of the skin caused by diminished oxygenation of the
blood
8. Eosinophils (293) – type of granular leukocyte; stains a rose color.
9. Erythrocytes (285) – red blood cells
10. Erythropoietin (290) – hormones secreted by the kidneys that stimulates the bone
marrow to produce red blood cells.
11. Fibrin (294) – protein strands formed by the action of thrombin on fibrinogen; the clot.
12. Hematocrit (285) – laboratory test that expresses the percentage of red blood cells
present in a volume of blood.
13. Hemoglobin (288) – Iron-containing protein in the red blood cell that can form a weak
bond with oxygen; also transports carbon dioxide.
14. Hemolysis (298) – break down of erythrocytes.
15. Hemopoiesis (286) – production of blood cells.
16. Hemostasis (294) – the stopping of blood loss.
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17. Jaundice (290) – yellow coloring of the skin and whites of eyes caused by an increase in
bilirubin in the blood.
18. Leukocyte (285)- white blood cell; functions primarily to defend body against infection.
19. Lymphocyte (286) - Agranular leukocyte; T and B lymphocytes engage in specific
immunity.
20. Monocytes (286)- Agranular phagocytic leukocyte that can become a macrophage.
21. Neutrophils (292) – granular, motile, and highly phagocytic leukocyte.
22. Plasma (285) – the yellow liquid portion of blood
23. Platelets (285) – a fragment of a megakaryocyte that functions in hemostasis; also called
a thrombocyte.
24. Red blood cell (285)- Blood cell that contains mostly hemoglobin; an erythrocyte.
25. Reticulocytes (287) – immature red blood cell.
26. Serum (285) – blood plasma minus the clotting factors.
27. Thrombocyte (285) – see platelet.
28. White blood cells (285) – see leukocyte.
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