Blood Histology Flashcards
Describe blood
A fluid Ct that circulates through the cardiovascular system
Consists of cells (erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets) and a protein rich fluid known as plasma
What are the functions of blood?
Delivery of nutrients and oxygen as well as transport of wastes and CO2
Delivery of hormones, regulatory substances and immune system cells
Maintenance of homeostasis: acts as a buffer, participates in coagulation and thermoregulation
What is packed cell volume (PCV)?
Volume of RBCs in a blood sample
What is the normal percent of RBCs in a male?
39-50%
What is the normal percent of RBCs in a female?
35-45%
What is considered to be the formed elements component of blood and where can they be found?
Formed elements are the erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets and are located in the Buffy coat (~1% of blood volume)
Describe blood plasma
Liquid extracellular material
>90% H2O by weight
Blood plasma is a solvent for a variety of solutes including
Proteins (albumin, globulins, fibrinogen), regulatory substances, nutrients, electrolytes, dissolved gases and wastes
What is serum?
ECF component of blood that is present after the coagulation process is complete (it lacks clotting factors)
What is interstitial fluid derived from?
Blood plasma and its electrolyte composition reflects that of the blood plasma from which it is derived
What are the three main plasma proteins?
Globulins, albumin and fibronectin
Gamma globulins
Immunoglobulins
Functional immune system molecules
Describe alpha globulin and beta globulin (non-immune globulins)
Maintain osmotic pressure within vascular walls
Serve as carrier proteins
Includes fibronectin, lipoproteins and coagulation factors
Describe albumin
Main protein constituent (~50%)
Smallest plasma protein
Made in the liver
Exerts concentration gradient between blood and extracellular tissue fluid
Source of major colloid osmotic pressure, increases osmotic pressure on vessel walls
Carrier protein for thyroxin, bilirubin and barbiturates
Describe fibronectin
Largest plasma protein
Made in the liver
Describe fibronectin and its clotting process
Soluble fibrinogen is cleaved into an insoluble protein fibrin
Fibrinogen chains are cleaved into fibrin monomers -> monomers polymerize forming long fibers —> become cross linked —> form an impermeable net preventing further blood loss
Where are the formed elements made?
All formed in the bone marrow
Do erythrocytes have a nucleus or organelles?
Erythrocytes are anucleate and devoid of typical organelles
What are the hallmark characteristics of erythrocytes?
Disc shaped, stain uniform all with eosin and have an area of central pallor
Describe RBC flexibility
Their biconcave disc is extremely flexible
20-30% increase in surface area compared to a sphere shape relative to cell volume
What other function do RBCs serve?
They serve as a histological ruler - they are used to compare other blood cell types
What is the lifespan of an erythrocyte?
120 days
~1% of RBCs are removed each day and phagocytosed in the spleen, bone marrow and liver
Describe the RBC plasma membrane
Composed of a lipid bilayer including blood group surface Ags
Stabilized by various proteins that directly impact membrane flexibility
What is spectrin?
A dimeric, springy protein that forms a wheel-like meshwork and attaches to membrane bound hubs
Describe spectrin and its role in RBC plasma membranes
Spectrin dimers interact with each other and actin oligomers which creates a spectrin-actin skeleton that is connected to the cell membrane by
- ankyrin, band 4.2 and band 3
- protein 4.1 binds the tail of spectrin to glycophorin A
Describe the affinity/basis for staining and cellular components of basophilic (deep blue) staining
Affinity for the basic dye methylene blue
Cellular component: DNA and RNA in ribosomes
Describe the affinity/basis for staining and cellular components of azurophilic (purple) staining
Affinity for azure dyes
Cellular component: lysosomes, some leukocyte granules
Describe the affinity/basis for staining and cellular components of eosinophilic (pink/red aka acidophilia) staining
Affinity for the acidic dye eosin
Cellular component: cytoplasm and ECM
Describe the affinity/basis for staining and cellular components of neutrophilic (salmon pink/iliac) staining
Affinity for a dye thought to be of neutral pH (its not)
Cellular component: specific to cytoplasmic granules of neutrophils
What are reticulocytes?
Immature erythrocytes released from bone marrow that constitute less than 1% of circulating RBCs