5: Infected blood enquiry

Question 1

Explain how the structure AND protein composition of an erythrocyte relates to its function.

Answer 1

*It has a biconcave shape which increases the surface area for gaseous exchange

*It has a membrane structure rich in the protein spectrin which allows it to deform so it can pass through capillaries.

*It contains haemoglobin which binds to oxygen in an oxygen rich environment.

*It contains haemoglobin which binds to carbon dioxide in a low oxygen environment.

*Haemoglobin acts as a buffer to regulate blood pH

Question 2

If a man with haemophilia has a son with his partner who does not have haemophilia or carry a haemophilia gene. What is the likelihood of their son having haemophilia or being a carrier? Explain your answer.

Answer 2

The son will not inherit the disorder from his father (as its Xlinked)

The father with haemophilia will pass on his Y chromosome to his son. Since the Y chromosome does not carry the haemophilia gene, the son will not inherit the defective gene responsible for haemophilia from his father

The son will inherit an X chromosome from his mother. Since the mother does not have haemophilia or carry the haemophilia gene, the X chromosome that the son receives from her will also not carry the haemophilia gene so he will not be a carrier.

Question 3

Which clotting factor is deficient in Christmas disease?

Answer 3

factor 9/ factor IX

Question 4

What type of haemophilia results in mutations found in the gene for this clotting factor?

Answer 4

Haemophilia B

Question 5

4. List 4 common ways in which Hepatitis C can be transmitted except via blood transfusion.

Answer 5

• Sharing needles
• Sex with an infected person
• Unregulated tattoos or body piercings
• Birth

Question 6

List 4 body fluids that can contain enough HIV virus to cause infection in another person.

Answer 6

• Blood
• Semen
• Breast milk
• Vaginal fluid

Question 7

Give an example of stigma in health care+ define stigma

Answer 7

stigma= a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.

E.G.
* Refusing care
* Sub-standard care
* Making people wait longer (delay in treatment)
* Care being carried out by more junior colleagues.
* Inadequate treatment
* Minimising to seriousness of the condition e.g in mental health cases patients being labelled as crazy)