Blood System Flashcards
What is the viscosity (density) of blood?
4-5 (water is 1)
What is the mean pH of blood?
7.4
What is the osmolarity of blood?
Concentration of solutes in plasma
280-320, mean- 300
What is the salinity of blood?
Concentration of NaCl in the blood
0.85%
How is the temperature of blood?
Slightly higher than “normal” body temperature
What is the function of blood?
Carrier for nutrients (O2, CO2, waste products, proteins, hormones)
Thermoregulation
Maintains normal fluid balance and pH
Clinical diagnostic tools
What does blood transport?
Oxygen from the lungs
Nutrients from digestive tract
Metabolic wastes to lungs and kidneys
Hormones from endocrine glands to target organs
What are the 3 layers of blood?
- Erythrocytes (45%, PCV or hemocrit)
- Buffy coat (leukocytes/ platelets 1%)
- Plasma
What does plasma contain?
91%-92% water
8-9% solutes (proteins, lipids, electrolytes)
Staining of blood cells
Blood smear dried
Fixed in alcohol
Stained with Romanowsky’s stains
What are the different Romanowsky’s stains?
Wright’s (mix of methylene blue and eosin)
Giesma
Erythrocytes characteristics
Biconcave discs
Central pallor
Largest on dogs, smallest on goats/ sheep
Anisocytosis
Slight variation in RBC size
Poikilocytosis
Variation on RBC shape
Common in goats and deer
What causes sickle cell?
Due to inherited alteration in Hb
Rouleau formation
Stacking RBCs
Common in horses and cats
Intermediate in dogs and pigs
Rare in ruminants
Reticulocytes
Immature RBC
Contain RNA and polysomes
Reticular mesh when stained with methylene blue but not wrights stain
Blood smear of reticulocytes
1-2% seen on smears of dogs and cats
Not seen on horses and ruminants
When do reticulocytes increase?
In anemia in all species except horses
Howell-Jolly Bodies
Nuclear fragments that appear as basophilic inclusions within RBCs
Normally seen in dogs and cats
Heinz Bodies
Results from the oxidation of Hb and appear as refractile, light, pale areas in Hb (cats especially)
What is the average life span and size of RBC in cattle?
160 days
5.5 um
What is the average life span and size of RBC in dogs?
120 days
7 um
What is the average life span and size of RBC in horses?
145 days
5.7 um