Blood Flashcards
What is blood?
A fluid tissue of the circulatory system
What is the blood composed of?
water
regulated cells
proteins
What is centrifugation?
separates cells from a solution according to size, shape and density
Describe the centrifugation process?
Tube of blood is placed in centrifuge and spun at a high speed
Centrifugal enhanced gravitational forces pull the heavier particles to the bottom of the tube forming a pellet
smaller particles pushed to the top
Describe what is seen when blood is centrifuged?
Three layers seen
1 = PLASMA
pale yellow, ½ of total blood volume, Has serum and clotting proteins, serum is obtained by letting the blood clot before centrifugation
2= OTHER CELLS Middle part(thin layer between plasma and red blood cells)= buffy coat which has other cells such as WBC and platelets
3= RBCs
Bottom layer= red blood cells and haematocrit
How can proteins in blood be used?
Used as a diagnostic tool
if troponin present in blood= out of place should only be in cardiac muscle= cardiac muscle damage= myocardial infarction
What are the 4 main plasma proteins?
haemoglobin
fibrinogen
globulin
albumin
Describe the presence of haemoglobin in blood?
only very small amounts
stored inside RBCs
hidden from plasma leak upon cell damage
How much albumin is present in blood?
35-55g/l
most abundant
Describe the presence of albumin in blood?
Largest contributor to colloid osmotic pressure
Accounts for 22mmHg out of 28mmHg
Ionisable groups that buffer plasma ph
Binds to low molecular weight molecules
Has important carrier for lipophilic molecules with low solubility
Binds to drugs lowering their free conc in plasma
Drugs can compete for binding sites so when 2 drugs administered together that bind to albumin the plasma conc of each of these drugs elevated
How much fibrinogen is present in blood?
28g/l
Describe the presence of fibrinogen in blood?
Haemostasis role
Precursor of blood clots
Small contribution to colloid osmotic pressure
How much globulin is present in blood?
2.3-3.9g/l
Describe the presence of globulin in blood?
high molecular weight globular proteins
water insoluble but dissolve in weak salt solutions like plasma
plasma globulins contribute 6mmHg to colloid osmotic pressure
Immune function= immunoglobulins- antibodies that fight pathogens
Globulin is a broad protein class what does this include?
Transferrin- transports iron, HDL and LDL transport lipids
Clotting factors
Hormones- erythropoietin regulates haematocrit
Carrier proteins
What is the importance of blood tests?
Important information about blood disorders- values outside the range can indicate anaemia
Values compared against normal range
What 3 RBC activity measurements are made in a blood test?
- Haematocrit= RBC : BLOOD VOLUME
- Number of RBC per microlitre of blood
- Average RBC volume= MCV
When are WBC more prominent in circulation?
In case of an infection
What are the most abundant WBCs?
neutrophils
lymphocytes
What types of blood cells have no nuclei?
Platelets/thrombocytes
RBC/erythrocytes
What is the significance of blood cells having no nucleus?
cannot synthesise new proteins
cannot make new protein to repair the damage= loss of their cytoplasmic enzyme activity
retain the enzyme pathways that were made before the nucleus was lost
What are platelets?
Fragments of a large precursor cell
In what process are platelets important?
Homeostasis
Describe the structure and function of a RBC?
Bi-concave shape
Diameter= 7.5um
Thickness=2um
Shape size allows them to squeeze through small capillaries
No organelles= more surface area for haemoglobin carrying
They have glycolytic enzymes= cell metabolism
What are the consequences if a RBC is damaged?
have altered size and shape= can be filtered out of spleen
cells do fit through small capillaries
How are RBCs broke down and fragmented?
by tissue macrophages as part of the reticuloendothelial system=part of the immune system consisting of phagocytic cells
What is Carbonic anhydrase?
An enzyme in RBCs
helps CO2 transportation around body