Blood Physiology Flashcards
4 general functions of blood:
- Vehicle of transport
- Regulation of pH and ion composition of interstitial fluids
- Defense against toxins and pathogens
- Stabilization of body temperature
Fluid medium of the blood/non-cellular part of the blood
Plasma
Plasma minus clotting proteins; closer to water in composition
Serum
Whole blood is __% plasma and __% formed elements
55% plasma, 45% formed elements
Major component of plasma:
Water (90%) (plasma protein: 8%, inorganic salts 1%, lipids 0.5%, sugar 0.1%)
Plasma protein which is an essentail component of the clotting system
Blood coagulation proteins
Plasma protein which is the major contributor to osmotic pressure of plasma
Albumin
Plasma globulin: proteases, antiproteases, transport proteins
Alpha globulin
Plasma globulin: transferrin and other transport proteins
Beta globulin
Plasma globulin: immunoglobulin
Gamma globulin
Process of forming blood cells in the bone marrow
Hematopoiesis
Site of blood cell formation beginning from 3rd week AOG
Yolk sac/aortic gonad mesonephros (AGM) region
Site of blood cell formation from 3rd month AOG to birth
Liver (with minor contributions from spleen)
Only source of blood cells postnatally; begins at 4th month AOG
Bone marrow
Life period where all bone marrow are active
Birth to puberty
Life period where only bone marrow of vertebra, ribs, sternum, skull, pelvis, proximal epiphyseal region of humerus active
Age 20 (remaining bone marrow: fatty, yellow, inactive)
Post embryonic extramedullary hematopoiesis in full term infant
Always abnormal
Functions of the red blood cells
Transports hemoglobin from lungs to tissues
Transports CO2 (bicarbonate ion) from tissue to lungs
Acts as an acid-base buffer (contains carbonic anhydrase)
Normal biconcave disc shape of the RBC is due to:
Spectrin
Deformability of the RBC that allows it to travel through narrow capillaries is a characteristic called:
Bag pliability (Normal RBC size: 6-8 micrometers)
Protein inside the RBC that binds with oxygen
Hemoglobin
Males: 14 - 18 g/dL
Females: 12 - 18 g/dL
Percent of cells in whole blood
Hematocrit
Males: 46 (40 - 54)
Females: 42 (37 - 47)
Hemoglobin vs Myoglobin:
Transport protein for O2
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin vs Myoglobin:
Storage protein for O2
Myoglobin
Hemoglobin vs Myoglobin:
Binds with 4 O2
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin vs Myoglobin:
Binds with 1 O2
Myoglobin
Hemoglobin vs Myoglobin:
Exhibits sigmoidal curve, positive cooperativity
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin vs Myoglobin:
Exhibits hyperbolic curve
Myoglobin
Most common form of hemoglobin in adult human
Hemoglobin A (2 alpha and 2 beta)
Hemoglobin form with higher affinity for oxygen
Hemoglobin F (2 alpha and 2 gamma)
Hemoglobin form with higher affinity for 2,3 BPG
Hemoglobin A
Total iron in the body:
4-5 g (65% hemoglobin, 4% myoglobin)
Primary storage protein found in the liver
Ferritin
Transport protein of iron:
Transferrin
Secondary storage protein found outside the liver such as macrophages
Hemosiderin
Last RBC stage that has a nucleus
Orthochromatic erythroblast
Form of RBC released into the blood; no nucleus; needs 2 days to mature into mature RBCs
Reticulocyte
Hormone stimulating RBC production
Erythropoietin
Main stimulus for EPO production
Hypoxia
Effect of EPO will manifest after this many days
5 days
Time to convert reticulocytes to mature RBCs
1 - 2 days
Characteristics of mature RBCs
No nucleus, no mitochondria, no ER
Lifespan of adult RBCs
120 days
Lifespan of fetal RBCs
90 days
Intravascular destruction of old or damaged RBCs occurs here
Spleen
Extravascular destruction of RBCs is due to
Macrophages
Fate of Heme in destroyed RBC
Bilirubin
Nutrient essential for DNA synthesis
Vitamin B12, Folic acid
Megaloblastic anemia + neural deficits
Vitmain B12 deficiency
Megaloblastic anemia + neural tube disorders
Folic acid deficiency
Needed to absorb Vitamin B12
Intrinsic factor
Needed to absorb Iron in the duodenum
Vitamin C
Sources of vitamin B12
Meats
Sources of folic acid
Leafy vegetables: cauliflower, brocolli
Capability of the body to resist almost all types of organisms and toxins that tend to damage tissues and organs
Immunity
Innate or Acquired:
Pre-existing (skin, mucous membranes, phagocytic cells, inflammatory mediators, complement system)
Innate
Innate or Acquired:
Antibody mediated/lymphoid cells
Acquired
Innate or Acquired:
Not acquired through contact with a non-self
Innate
Innate or Acquired:
Occurs after exposure to an antigen
Acquired
Innate or Acquired:
Non-specific
Innate
Innate or Acquired:
Specific
Acquired