Blood Flashcards
Blood
Specialised connective tissue that contains cells suspended in a fluid matrix
Functions of blood
- Transport (gases, nutrients, hormones, metabolic wastes)
- pH and ion concentration of interstitial fluid
- Restricting fluid loss at injury sites
- Defence
- Body temperature
Characteristics of blood
- 38 degrees C
- 5 times as viscous as water
- Slightly alkaline
Whole blood
Fluid plasma and formed elements
Fractionated blood
Separated for clinical purposes
Components of plasma
Plasma proteins, other solutes, water
Plasma proteins
Albumins, globulins, fibrinogens
Albumins
- Most abundant
Important for - Osmolarity
- Transport of fatty acids, thyroid hormones
Globulins
- Body defence e.g. antibodies
- Transport globulins e.g. hormone-binding proteins
Fibrinogens
Important for clotting
Serum
The remaining fluid when clotting proteins are removed from a blood sample
Which organ synthesises more than 90% of plasma proteins?
The liver
Formed elements
Red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets
Hemopoiesis
Process of formed elements formation
Erythrocytes
RBCs
Which pigment do RBCs contain?
Hemoglobin
Hematocrit
Percentage of blood sample that consists of formed elements (mostly RBCs)
Venipuncture
Blood sample from anterior elbow
Arterial puncture
Blood sample from arteries at wrist or elbow used for blood gas analysis (lung function)
Which stem cell populations are important for production of formed elements?
Myeloid stem cells and lymphoid stem cells
Shape of RBC
Biocave disc with a thin central region and thicker outer margin
Benefits of RBC shape and flexible membrane
- Surface area
- Ability to form stacks
- Ability to bend when moving through small capillaries
Rouleaux
Stacks of RBCs
Do mature RBCs have nucelei?
No
How do mature RBCs obtain energy?
Through anaerobic metabolism (no nuclei = no mitochondria = no aerobic metabolism)
Why do mature RBCs lack mitchondira?
So the absorbed oxygen will be carried to peripheral tissues and not stolen by mitochondria
Hemoglobin
Responsible for RBCs ability to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide
Hemoglobin structure
Complex quaternary: 2 alpha chains and 2 beta chains
Heme
- Non protein pigment complex
- Holds an iron ion
- Contained in a single hemoglobin chain
Oxyhemoglobin
When oxygen binds to iron in heme unit
Why is the binding of an oxygen molecule to the iron in a heme unit reversible?
The iron-oxygen interaction is very weak
Deoxyhemoglobin
A hemoglobin molecule whose iron is not bound to oxygen
What kind of blood is dark red?
Blood containing RBCs filled with deoxyhemoglobin
Fetal hemoglobin
Binds oxygen more readilt than does adult hemoglobin
Carbaminohemoglobin
Alpha and beta chains of hemoglobin bind to carbon dioxide
Anemia
Interferes with oxygen delivery to peripheral tissues
When do embryonic blood cells appear in the bloodstream?
Third week of development
Myeloid tissue
Red bone marrow, where RBCs are formed
Hemocytoblasts or hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs)
- Found in red bone marrow
- Divide to form myeloid stem cells and lymphoid stem cells
Myeloid stem cells
Divide to produce RBCs and several classes of WBCs
Lymphoid stem cells
Divide to produce lymphocytes
Myeloid stem cells
Divide to produce RBCs and several classes of WBCs
Lymphoid stem cells
Divide to produce lymphocytes
What accounts for the differences in hematocrit values between males and females?
The fact that estrogens don’t stimulate erythropoiesis
What stimulates erythropoiesis?
The hormone erythropoietin (EPO) (directly) Other hormones (indirectly)
Which organs make EPO?
Kidneys and liver
When does EPO appear in the plasma?
When peripheral tissues, especially the kidneys, are exposed to a low concentration of oxygen
Effects of EPO
- Stimulates erythroblast division and eryhroblast-producing stem cell division
- Speeds up maturation of RBCs by accelerating Hb synthesis