1 - intro to block

Question 1

what is name of process where blood cells made?

Answer 1

haematopoiesis = blood cells made from haematopoietic stem cells

Question 2

what are the sites of haematopoiesis?

Answer 2

• in embryo = yolk sac then liver then marrow then spleen
• at birth = mostly marrow but liver & spleen to if need
• as we grow active marrow sites decrease eventually just axial skeleton

Question 3

what is process of stem cell to blood cell? (pretty basic)

Answer 3

1. proliferation
2. differentiation into specialist cell
3. stem cell renewal for future

Question 4

what is erythropoiesis?

Answer 4

production of red cell through proliferation & maturation
1 pronormoblast = many mature erythrocytes

Question 5

what is thrombopoiesis?

Answer 5

platelet formation. it’s a bit different since blast cells divide but cytoplasm doesn’t so increase number of nuclei accumulate w large cytoplasm. edges of these bud off releasing platelets

Question 6

what are the types of white blood cells?

Answer 6

1. granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils)
2. monocytes
3. lymphocytes

Question 7

what do monocytes look like and what is their function?

Answer 7

monocytes = large single nucleus with big cytoplasm blob

function - they circulate then enter tissues to become specialised macrophages (that eat things)

Question 8

what do lymphocytes look like and what is their function?

Answer 8

when mature they’re small with big nucleus. when activated they have big nucleus and big cytoplasm.

function - brains of immune system, they cognate response to infection

Question 9

what is appearance of neutrophils and function?

Answer 9

neutrophils = multi segmented nucleus
function - phagocytosis, granule (elastases) release to break down tissues

Question 10

what is appearance of eosinophils and function?

Answer 10

take up eosin (red & acidic) and bilobed nucleus

function - hypersensitivity

Question 11

what is appearance if basophils and function?

Answer 11

take up basic dye so blue/purple granules and big nucleus
granules contain histamine & heparin like molecules

function - version of mast cell, IgE mediated histamine release

Question 12

how can you identify stem cells?

Answer 12

with bio-assays (culture marrow in vitro and see what grows) + immunophenotyping (when antibodies stick to proteins, stem cells express different proteins to mature cells so can identify stem cells) to identify stem cells

Question 13

how clinically can you look at haematopoietic system?

Answer 13

1. peripheral blood (full blood count & blood film)
2. bone marrow (marrow biopsy)
3. specialised tests (immunophenotyping & genetic tests)
4. other relevant sites (splenomegaly & lymphadenopathy)

Question 14

what is automated full blood count analyser and what is bone marrow trephine biopsy?

Answer 14

automated full blood count analyser = rapid & fancy ways to get loads of info about blood

bone marrow trephine biopsy = get marrow biopsy