3: Blood Histology

Question 1

Three formed elements in blood

Answer 1

Erythrocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytes

Question 2

Where are all formed elements made?

Answer 2

Bone marrow

Question 3

Hematocrit

Answer 3

Sample of blood + chemicals -> centrifuged into layers

Question 4

Percentages present in hematocrit

Answer 4

Plasma: 55%
RBCs: 39-50% in males, 35-45% in females
Buffy coat: 1%

Question 5

PCV

Answer 5

Packed cell volume; volume of RBCs in a blood sample

Question 6

What percent water is plasma?

Answer 6

> 90%

Question 7

Serum

Answer 7

ECF component of blood without clotting factors

Question 8

Where are all plasma proteins formed?

Answer 8

Liver

Question 9

Three plasma protein types

Answer 9

Globulins, albumin, fibrinogen

Question 10

A-globulin and B-globulin functions

Answer 10

Maintain osmotic pressure in vascular walls + serve as carrier proteins

Question 11

Three types of a- and B-globulins

Answer 11

Fibronectin, lipoproteins, coagulation factors

Question 12

What is the main protein constituent of plasma?

Answer 12

Albumin

Question 13

Albumin main function

Answer 13

Source of major colloid osmotic pressure

Question 14

What three examples can albumin act as a carrier protein for?

Answer 14

Thyroxine, bilirubin, barbiturates

Question 15

What is the largest plasma protein?

Answer 15

Fibrinogen

Question 16

Steps in fibrin formation

Answer 16

Fibrinogen chain -> fibrin monomers -> long fibrin fibers -> become cross-linked -> form an impermeable net preventing blood loss

Question 17

RBC lifespan

Answer 17

120 days

Question 18

What is the histology ruler

Answer 18

RBCs

Question 19

Spectrin

Answer 19

Dimeric, springy protein in RBC membranes that forms a cytoskeleton meshwork

Question 20

Five notable things spectrin binds to

Answer 20

1. Ankyrin
2. Actin
3. Band 4.2
4. Band 3
5. Protein 4.1

Question 21

Reticulocytes

Answer 21

Immature erythrocytes; are anucleate but still have other organelles

Question 22

How soon do reticulocytes become RBCs?

Answer 22

Within 48hrs of entering bloodstream

Question 23

Reticulocytosis

Answer 23

Increased reticulocytes due to recent loss in RBCs

Question 24

Hereditary Spherocytosis

Answer 24

Defect in RBC cell membrane, with 50% of mutations due to ANK1

Question 25

How to note hereditary spherocytosis on a blood smear

Answer 25

RBCs are dark, small, and lack central pallor

Question 26

What is mutated in sickle cell anemia?

Answer 26

A single point mutation of B-globulin chain of HbA

Question 27

How can jaundice be caused by hemolytic anemia?

Answer 27

Release of bilirubin when RBCs burst

Question 28

Varying amounts of leukocytes in blood: most to least

Answer 28

1. Neutrophils 2. Lymphocytes 3. Monocytes 4. Eosinophils 5. Basophils

Question 29

Marginal pool

Answer 29

Portion of cells adhering to blood vessel walls

Question 30

What is pus made of?

Answer 30

Neutrophils + their debris

Question 31

Neutrophil functions

Answer 31

Secrete enzymes, ingest damaged tissues, kill microbes, bind foreign organisms

Question 32

Left shift

Answer 32

When neutrophil demand increases, band cells are released into circulation

Question 33

Band cells

Answer 33

Immature neutrophils

Question 34

Lymphocyte function

Answer 34

Main functional cell of immune system -> differentiate into T cells, B cells, and NK cells

Question 35

What is the largest WBC?

Answer 35

Monocytes

Question 36

Monocyte nucleus

Answer 36

Indented/heart-shaped with small, azurophilic granules

Question 37

Eosinophil granule contents and function

Answer 37

Histaminases -> moderate effects of inflammatory vasoactive mediators

Question 38

When do eosinophils increase in number

Answer 38

During allergies or parasitic infection

Question 39

Functions of basophils

Answer 39

1. Release vasoactive agents (heparin, histamine) 2. Supplement mast cell fx 3. Vascular disturbances in allergies and anaphylaxis

Question 40

What cells form thrombocytes?

Answer 40

Megakaryocytes

Question 41

Megakaryocytes

Answer 41

Large, polyploid cells in the bone marrow

Question 42

Life span of thrombocytes

Answer 42

10 days

Question 43

Functions of thrombocytes

Answer 43

1. Bind/coat/plug damaged vessel walls | 2. Granules release platelet-specific proteins for blood clotting and hemostasis

Question 44

Which cell type circulates in the blood for the shortest time?

Answer 44

T cells

Question 45

Which cell type has a receptor for IgE?

Answer 45

Basophils

Question 46

Which blood cell type exhibits diurnal variation?

Answer 46

Eosinophils