BB_MIDTERMS Flashcards
What is the main component of blood?
RBC
What is the average lifespan of red blood cells (RBCs)?
120 DAYS
Name the three areas to consider to expand RBC survival.
- Normal chemical composition of RBCs
- Hemoglobin function and structure
- RBC metabolism
What happens if there are defects in the RBC areas mentioned?
RBCs survive fewer than the normal 120 days in circulation.
What is the major component of the RBC membrane?
PROTEIN
List the two types of proteins found in the RBC membrane.
- Peripheral Protein
- Integral Protein
Name two integral proteins found in the RBC membrane.
- Ankyrin
- Spectrin
What is the function of RBC deformability?
Ability to be flexible and maintain biconcave disc shape
What does a decrease in ATP lead to in terms of RBC deformability?
↓ spectrin → loss of deformability of RBC = ↓ RBC survival
What does RBC permeability regulate?
Intracellular and extracellular activity in Na and K
What is the energy source of RBCs?
GLYCOLYSIS
What are the four metabolic pathways of RBC?
- Embden-Meyerhof Pathway
- Hexose Monophosphate Shunt Pathway
- Luebering-Rapaport Pathway
- Methemoglobin Reductase Pathway
What is the end product of the Embden-Meyerhof Pathway?
Pyruvate
What is the most energy of RBC derived from?
Embden-Meyerhof Pathway
What is produced in patients with PK deficiency?
Cannot convert glucose to pyruvate
What is the end product of the Hexose Monophosphate Shunt Pathway?
NADH
What are Heinz bodies?
RBC inclusion resulting from hemoglobin denaturation
What does the spleen do in relation to abnormal RBCs?
Filters the abnormal RBCs
What is ‘pitting’ in relation to the spleen?
Removal of RBC inclusion
What is ‘culling’ in relation to the spleen?
Removal of abnormal RBC morphology
What does the Methemoglobin Reductase Pathway maintain?
Hemoglobin in functional state
What is the structure of hemoglobin composed of?
- 4 HEME
- 1 iron
- 4 pyrrole rings
- 4 GLOBIN
What does 1 gram of hemoglobin deliver in terms of oxygen?
1.34 mL of O2
What is the oxygen dissociation curve?
SIGMOID CURVE
What is the shelf life of whole blood prepared RBCs?
21 to 42 days
What is the typical volume of one unit of whole blood?
450 mL
What do RBC preservatives affect?
O2 affinity and release
What is ‘left-shifted’ in terms of oxygen release?
Increased pH (alkalosis) and O2 affinity
What is ‘right-shifted’ in terms of oxygen release?
Decreased pH (acidosis) and O2 affinity
What must additive solutions (AS) contain?
- Saline
- Adenine
- Guanine
- Mannitol
What is the purpose of rejuvenation solution (RS)?
Maintains levels of ATP and 2,3-DPG
What is the shelf life of red cell freezing?
10 years
What is the lifespan of platelets?
9-12 days
What is the function of platelets?
- Initialization of bleeding
- Stabilization of temporary plug
What are the two types of platelets?
- Random Donor Platelet (RDP)
- Single Donor Platelet (SDP)
What is the role of T cells in the immune system?
Third line of defense
What are the two types of immunity?
- Natural
- Adaptive
What is the predominant immunoglobulin in serum?
IgG
What are the four subclasses of IgG?
- IgG1
- IgG2
- IgG3
- IgG4
What is the least abundant immunoglobulin in serum?
IgE
What is the structure of immunoglobulin composed of?
- 2 identical heavy chains
- 2 identical light chains
What determines the Ig class in immunoglobulins?
Heavy chain
What is the function of the hinge region in immunoglobulins?
Allows movement of Ig
What is the alternative pathway of complement?
Promotes immune response in the second line of defense
What is the end product of the classical pathway in complement?
LYSIS
What is the role of CD markers in lymphocytes?
Identify different types of cells and their functions
What is the Membrane Attack Complex abbreviated as?
MAC
MAC is a structure formed during the complement activation pathway that can lyse pathogens.
What is required for the lectin pathway of complement activation?
Mannose sugar on cell wall
This pathway is triggered by the binding of lectins to mannose residues on the surface of pathogens.
What is the function of C3 convertase?
Converts C3 into C3a and C3b
C3 convertase plays a crucial role in the complement system by generating C3b, which opsonizes pathogens.
At what temperature range does IgM show best agglutination?
4-22°C
This temperature range allows for optimal visibility of agglutination reactions involving IgM.
What is the ideal saline pH for enhancing antigen reactions?
pH 6.5-7.5
Maintaining this pH range is important to avoid false decrease in sensitivity.
Fill in the blank: The type of enhancement media that causes agglutination by reducing the zeta potential of RBC is _______.
22% Albumin
What is the purpose of using LISS (Low Ionic Strength Solution) in blood testing?
Decrease ionic strength and reduce zeta potential of RBC
This increases the attraction between antibodies and antigens.
What is the direct antiglobulin test (DAT) used for?
Detects in vivo sensitization of RBC by Ab or complement
This test helps identify conditions like hemolytic disease and transfusion reactions.
What are the two types of antiglobulin reagents?
- Both anti-IgG and anti-C3d
- Either anti-IgG or anti-C3d
What clinical conditions can be detected using DAT?
- Hemolytic Disease of Newborn (HDN)
- Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction (HTR)
- Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA)
- Drug Induced Hemolytic Anemia
What are the methods for red cell antibody detection?
- Immediate Spin (I.S)
- 37°C incubation
True or False: Cold reacting IgM antibodies are best detected at warm temperatures.
False
Cold reacting IgM antibodies are best detected at lower temperatures.
What is the most clinically significant blood group system discovered?
ABO blood group system
Discovered by Karl Landsteiner, it is critical in transfusion medicine.
Fill in the blank: The ABO gene is located on chromosome _______.
9
What does the Bombay phenotype lack?
A, B, H antigens
Individuals with this phenotype have antibodies against A, B, and H antigens.
What type of blood group is considered the universal donor?
O
Type O blood lacks A and B antigens, making it safe for transfusions.
What is the role of glycosyl transferase in blood type expression?
Produces immunodominant sugar attached as precursor in RBC
This enzyme is crucial for the formation of blood group antigens.
What type of antibodies do individuals with type A blood have?
Anti-B antibodies
What enhancement media can increase test sensitivity?
PEG (Polyethylene Glycol)
PEG is used to enhance the reaction sensitivity in immunological tests.
What is the effect of incubation time on the sensitivity of antigen-antibody reactions?
Increased incubation time decreases sensitivity
Longer incubation may lead to background noise and false results.
