1. Anat (Blood) Flashcards
2 ways of separating blood into different components
Method 1: blood collected with anticoagulant (eg heparin) & centrifuged
Method 2: blood collected without anticoagulant & left to coagulate and settle
plasma vs serum
Plasma: albumin, fibrinogen, immunoglobulins, lipids, hormones, vitamins (obtained when anticoagulants added when separating blood)
Serum: same as plasma but lack fibrinogen
Characteristics of blood (volume, pH, colour)
- volume in adult: male 5-6L, female 4-5L
- pH: slightly alkaline (7.35 - 7.45)
- colour: scarlet/ bright red (oxygenated), deep red (deoxygenated)
composition of blood
water, proteins, other solutes
types of proteins in blood and their fucntion
- albumin (most): contribute to plasma osmotic pressure, transport lipids/steroid hormones
- globulins: transport (ions, hormones, lipids), immune function
- fibrinogen: essential component of clotting system
- regulatory proteins (enzymes, hormones)
type of solutes and function in blood
- electrolytes: contribute to osmotic pressure and cellular activity
- organic nutrients
- organic wastes
what are formed elements
RBC, buffy coat (WBC), platelets
RBC lifespan and shape
120 days (3-4mths); biconcave shape (increase SA and allow RBC to bend)
generation and removal of RBC
generated in the red bone marrow; worn out RBCs removed by macrophages or destroyed in the liver & spleen
what organelles does the RBC has?
lack nucleus & most organelles
describe sickle cell disease
a point mutation of Hb ß chain resulting in HbS (abnormal form of Hb)
HbS molecules polymerise and aggregate when deoxygenated → no biconcave shape
describe the blood in sickle cell disease pt
increased blood viscosity and shortened RBC lifespan
BUT resistant to malaria
what organelles does WBC contain
contain nuclei and various organelles unlike RBC
lifespan and origination of WBC
- originate from bone marrow stem cells
- lifespan: a few days
list granulocytes
(NBE) neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils
list agranulocytes
(ml) lymphocytes, monocytes
describe neutrophil
larger than RBC, lobbed nucleus (3-5 segments), highly mobile (first WBC to arrive at site of inflammation)
describe eosinophils
reddish-orange granules, phagocytosis, defenders against large multicellular parasites (numbers increases dramatically in parasitic infection)
describe basophils
deep purple/blue basophilic granules, bi-lobed nucleus is often covered by granules (cannot see), can be found in allergic rx (anaphylaxis & asthma), release histamines
describe monocytes
largest WBC, nucleus is large (eccentrically/not center placed, oval or kidney shaped), generate tissue macrophages, phagocytosis, antigen presentation
describe lymphocytes
T & B lymphocytes cannot be differentiated by blood smear, slightly larger than RBC, thin halo of cytoplasm around large nucleus
lifespan of platelets and how they are removed
circulates for 9-12 days before being removed by splenic phagocytes
production of platelets
produced in bone marrow by megakarocytes (platelets are fragments of megakarocytes)
describe platelet appearance
- non-nucleated cell fragments, very small size
- purple stained and granular appearance on blood smear
