Blood Flashcards
Blood is considered what type of tissue?
Loose connective tissue
Formed elements are the elements suspended in blood plasma. Name all three.
Erythrocytes (RBCs), leukocytes (WBCs), thrombocytes (platelets)
What are the three main functions of blood?
- Transport of gases, wastes (urea), nutrients, hormones
- Regulation of body temp, pH, and fluid volume
- Protection from blood loss and infection
Composition of blood by percent:
- Plasma (55%) 2. Buffy Coat - leukocytes (<1%) 3. Erythrocytes (45%) -aka hematocrit
Name the 7 components of blood plasma.
Water, plasma proteins (albumin, globulin, fibrinogen), electrolytes, non-protein nitrogenous substances (urea, uric acid), nutrients, respiratory gases, hormones.
What is the benefit of an erythrocyte having a biconcave disc shape?
The large surface area to volume ratio allows for the better diffusion of gases.
What protein forms the mesh that helps maintain the shape and flexibility of RBCs?
Spectrin
Hemoglobin makes up 97% of RBCs. What are the three main components?
Two beta globin chains, two (2) alpha globin chains, and 4 heme groups (heme can reversibly bind O2)
Name the three types/forms of hemoglobin.
Oxyhemoglobin- scarlet red from O2 loading in the lungs. Deoxyhemoglobin- O2 has been unloaded. Carbaminohemoglobin- CO2 loading
What is the formation of all blood cells called and where does it occur?
Hematopoiesis- red bone marrow
What is the specific name for the formation of RBCs, or erythrocytes?
Erythropoiesis.
What is the role of erythropoietin (EPO) in regulation of RBC production?
Kidneys release EPO in response to hypoxia (low oxygen levels in blood) which stimulates RBC formation. At low O2 levels, enzymes can’t degrade hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), so HIF accumulates which triggers the synthesis of EPO.
Name the steps of the negative feedback loop for erythropoiesis and homeostasis.
- Stimulus (low O2, low RBC count, or high HIF level)
- Kidney releases EPO
- EPO stimulates red bone marrow
- Increased erythropoiesis increases RBC count
- O2 carrying capacity ability rises.
Name the cells that phagocytize erythrocytes.
Kupffer cells break RBCs down into hemes and globins
This anemia is from excessive blood loss; can be chronic or acute (from trauma).
Hemorrhagic anemia
This anemia is from the destruction of RBCs faster than they are made.
Hemolytic anemia
Sickle-cell anemia is caused by a mutation of the globin chain leading to ______ shaped cells.
Crescent
This type of anemia is caused by insufficient RBC production or maturation and can lead to a lack of intrinsic factor and B12 deficiency.
pernicious anemia
Polycythemia is abnormal excess RBCs. Polycythemia ______ is a type of blood cancer.
Polycythemia vera
Why is injecting artificial EPO (blood doping) dangerous?
Too many RBCs can make the blood viscous, risking clotting, strokes, heart failure.
