2. Heamatology - Blood Plasma

Question 1

Name the 3 functions of the electrolytes (ions) in the plasma

Answer 1

1. Responsible for the crystalloid osmotic pressure of the plasma
2. Involved in maintaining pH homeostasis through buffer action
3. Concerned with maintaining excitability of cells

Question 2

Name some nitrogenous waste products.

Give and effect of this waste expulsion through the kidneys

Answer 2

urea
ammonia
creatinine
uric acid
\+ increase plasma levels to derangement of kidneys

Question 3

Name some organic nutrients of the blood plasma and explain the transport of them generally

Answer 3

glucose, fats, amino acids

transported by the plasma from the gut and storage areas to other sites

Question 4

Name and explain the 2 steps of plasma proteins.

Answer 4

1. Ultracentrifugation: speed of sedimentation depends on the molecular mass (density)
2. Electrophoresis:
   Based on the different migration rate in an electrical field
   When the plasma proteins are placed in an electric field they will move towards the + electrode (the anode) i.e from cathode (negative) to anode (positive)

Question 5

Name two factors which the rate of migration will depend on

Answer 5

1. Charge

2. Molecular mass: Albumin is the most active (has the smallest molec. mass and high plasam conc.)

Question 6

Name and explain the 7 functions of plasma proteins

Answer 6

1. Responible for oncotic (colloid osmotic) pressure of plasama - prevent oedema
2. Bind and transport substances: metals, lipids, hromones, drugs - prevents RAPID clearance of substances from the body by the kidney
3. Partly reponsible for the viscosity of the blood:
   help to create and maintin arterial blood pressure
4. Function as a buffer in control of pH.
   Able to accept both hydrogen ions and base ions
5. protects the body
   antibodies: lamda-globulins
6. mediate coagualation of the blood
   many of the clotting facts are globulins
7. act as a prtoein reserve during starvation

Question 7

Name the function of the plasma protein albumin

Answer 7

contributes to colloid osmostic pressure of plasma

Question 8

Name the function of the plasma protein globulins

Answer 8

clotting factors, enzymes, antibodies, carrier for various substances

Question 9

Name the function of the plasma protein fibrinogen

Answer 9

forms fibrin threads essential to blood clotting

Question 10

Name the function of the plasma protein transferrin

Answer 10

Iron transport

Question 11

What are the causes of plasma protein deficiency?

Name 2

Answer 11

1. Insufficient protein production
   - prolonged starvation
   - liver disease
   - malabsorption
2. Loss of large amounts of protein, esp. Albumin, in the urine
   - kidney disease can cause this

Question 12

Define oedmea

Answer 12

an excessive accumulation of fluid in the interstitial fluids