Blood Components Flashcards
What is serum?
Blood without clotting factors
What does serum contain?
- Glucose
- Electrolytes
- Proteins e.g. immunoglobulins and hormones
Where is bone marrow mainly found?
Pelvis
Vertebrae
Ribs
Sternum
What do pluripotent stem cells differentiate into?
- Myeloid stem cells
- Lymphoid stem cells
- Dendritic cells
What do RBCs develop from?
Myeloid stem cells which form reticulocytes
Where do platelets develop from?
Myeloid stem cells, which form megakaryocytes which make platelets
What is the normal platelet count?
150 - 450 x10^9/L
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What do white blood cells form from?
Myeloid stem cells which form myeloblasts
- Monocytes -> macrophages
- Neutrophils
- Eosinophils
- Mast cells
- Basophils
What do B and T cells form from?
Lymphoid stem cells forming lymphocytes
Then differentiates into B and T cells depending on where they mature
B lymphocytes
- Mature in bone marrow
- Form plasma cells and memory B cells
T lymphocytes
-Mature in the thymus
- CD4 cells ( T helper cells)
- CD8 cells (cytotoxic T cells)
- Natural killer cells
What is anisocytosis?
Variation in RBC size
Seen in myelodysplastic syndrome and many types of anaemias
What are target cells and when are they seen?
RBCs with central pigmented area surrounded by pale area then ring of thicker cytoplasm
Iron-deficiency anaemia
Post-splenectomy
What are Heinz bodies and when are they seen?
Inclusions (blobs) inside RBCs
Blobs are denatured haemoglobin
G6PD deficiency
Alpha-thalassaemia
What are Howell-Jolly bodies and where are they found?
Individual blobs of DNA inside RBCs
Spleen normally removes them therefore seen in
Splenectomy
Non-functioning spleen
Severe anaemia- body regenerating RBCs quickly
What are reticulocytes and when are they present?
Immature RBCs that still have RNA present
Normal to have 1% of RBCs being reticulocytes
Present in rapid turnover of RBCs e.g. haemolytic anaemia
What are schistocytes and where are they found?
RBC fragments, RBCs damaged throughout circulation
Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia small blood clots obstruct small vessels
Obstructions damage RBCs causing haemolysis
Also seen in metallic heart valve replacement
What are the key causes of microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia?
Haemolytic uraemic syndrome
Disseminated intravascular coagulation
Thrombocytopenic purpura
What are sideroblasts and when are they present?
Immature RBCs with a nucleus surrounded by iron blobs
Occurs when bone marrow unable to incorporate iron into haemoglobin
- Genetic defect
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
What are smudge cells?
Ruptured white blood cells that occur while preparing the blood film when cells are aged or fragile
Particularly associated with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
What are spherocytes?
Sphere shaped RBCs without bi-concave shape
Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
Hereditary spherocytosis
