Blood & Function of RBCs

Question 1

Normal range of hematocrit for adult males

Answer 1

42-52%
About 45% average

Question 2

Normal range of hematocrit for adult females

Answer 2

37-47%
About 42% average

Question 3

Why is there a difference between male and female hematocrit values

Answer 3

Females lose blood - menstrual cycle
Males - testosterone increases RBC

Question 4

Why would decreased plasma albumin levels predispose an individual to edema

Answer 4

Plasma albumin levels are importantly for maintaining capillary oncotic pressures in the blood
Less albumin = more water

Question 5

Describe hematopoietic stem cells (HSC)

Answer 5

Can produce all blood cell types
Divide slowly
Capable of self renewing
Scarce in bone marrow

Question 6

Describe hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC)

Answer 6

Unipotential or bipotential (committed)
Divide quickly
Limited self renewing
Common in bone marrow and lymphoid organs

Question 7

What is the role of hypoxia inducible factor-1

Answer 7

Stimulate transcription of EPO
(increased EPO - stimulates RBC production)

Question 8

What is the stimulus for increased hypoxia inducible factor-1

Answer 8

Low tissue oxygenation in kidney

Question 9

What is the consequence of too many red blood cells

Answer 9

Increase in viscosity - Impedes blood flow

Question 10

Describe the function of ferroportin

Answer 10

Exports iron out of GI epithelial cells, cells in the liver, and out of macrophages
Active iron exporter protein

Question 11

Normal production of red blood cells requires which key nutrients

Answer 11

Iron
Folic acid
Vitamin B12

Question 12

Increases hemolysis (destruction) of red blood cells can lead to jaundice due to increased blood levels of what

Answer 12

Bilirubin

Question 13

What organ produces plasma proteins albumin and alpha and beta globulins

Answer 13

Liver

Question 14

What is the normal life span of a red blood cell

Answer 14

100-120 days