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Anatomy & Physiology > Blood - RBCs > Flashcards

Blood - RBCs Flashcards

1
Q

What is the shape of RBCs?

A

RBCs are biconcave discs with thin central regions and a thicker outer margin

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2
Q

Why are RBCs shaped like they are?

A
  • The structure gives each RBC a large surface area to volume-ratio
  • It also enables RBCs to form stacks called rouleaux
  • Enables RBCs to bend and flex when entering small capillaries and branches
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3
Q

What organelles do RBCs have?

A

Only a cytoskeleton

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4
Q

What is the average lifespan of a RBC and why?

A

Less than 120 days because of their lack of organelles

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5
Q

Why do RBCs have so little organelles?

A

So they have low energy demands

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6
Q

What does hemoglobin do?

A

Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide

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7
Q

What are hemoglobin molecules comprised of?

A

Each hemoglobin has two alpha chains and two beta chains of polypeptides, each with a single molecule of heme

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8
Q

What is the difference between Deoxyhemoglobin, Oxyhemoglobin, and Carbominohemoglobin?

A

Deoxyhemoglobin has no oxygen bound to it, Oxyhemoglobin does, and Carbominohemoglobin has carbon dioxide bound to it because of the lack of oxygen in the plasma

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9
Q

What is the difference between fetal and non-fetal hemoglobin?

A

Fetal hemoglobin more readily binds to oxygen

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10
Q

Do Capillaries’ plasma have high or low carbon dioxide and oxygen levels?

A

They have high oxygen levels and low carbon dioxide levels

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11
Q

What is anemia?

A

Low hematocrit or low Hb content of the RBCs

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12
Q

What does hemolyzed mean?

A

Ruptured

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13
Q

What part of red blood cells are removed after the death of the cell?

A

Hemoglobin

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14
Q

How are the alpha and beta chains of hemoglobin eliminated after death of the cell?

A

They are filtered through the kidneys and eliminated by urine

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15
Q

What is hemoglobinuria?

A

When an abnormally large number of RBCs break down in the bloodstream; Brown or red urine

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16
Q

What is hematuria?

A

Intact RBCs in urine; occurs only after kidney damage or damage to vessels along the urinary tract

17
Q

How are globular proteins used after RBC hemolyzation?

A

Globular proteins are broken apart into their component amino acids, which are metabolized by the cell or released into the bloodstream

18
Q

How are heme units disposed of?

A

Heme units are stripped of their iron and converted to biliverdin which is then converted to bilirubin which is released into the bloodstream

19
Q

What is jaundice?

A

When the bile ducts are blocked so bilirubin has to diffuse through peripheral tissues, giving the a yellow color, which is apparent in the skin and over the sclera of the eyes

20
Q

How is bilirubin disposed of?

A

Bacteria convert bilirubin to related pigments in the large intestines which are then excreted through urine. These related pigments can be converted to urobilin and stercobilin when exposed to oxygen.

21
Q

What is iron generally bound to?

A

Iron is generally bound to transport or storage proteins

22
Q

What happens to Iron in heme molecules after hemolyzation?

A

Iron from heme molecules may be stored in a phagocytic cell or released into the bloodstream

23
Q

What does iron bind to in the bloodstream?

A

Transferrin

24
Q

What protein complexes is iron stored in?

A

Ferritin and hemosiderin

25
Q

When do embryonic blood cells appear in the bloodstream?

A

During the third week of development

26
Q

Where does erythropoiesis take place?

A

Red bone marrow or myeloid tissue is the only place for erythropoiesis

27
Q

What does red bone marrow need for erythropoiesis?

A

Red bone marrow needs adequate supplies of amino acids, iron, and vitamins for erythropoiesis

28
Q

What is erythropoiesis stimulated by?

A

Erythropoiesis is stimulated directly by erythropoietin and indirectly by several hormones, including thyroxine, androgens, and growth hormone

29
Q

When is erythropoietin released?

A
  • During anemia
  • Blood flow to the kidney declines
  • Oxygen content of air in the lungs declines
  • When the respiratory surfaces of the lungs are damaged
30
Q

What are the effects of erythropoietin?

A
  • Stimulates cell division rates in erythroblasts and in stem cells
  • Speeds up maturation of RBCs
31
Q

What is blood doping?

A

Blood doping is increasing the hematocrit of the blood, therefore increasing the viscosity of the blood, increasing the workload on the heart

Anatomy & Physiology (24 decks)

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