Chapter 2: Erythropoiesis and Anaemia Flashcards
What is the life span of an RBC?
120 days
What colour does haemoglobin stain?
pink
How does chromatin change as normoblasts develop?
condenses
How long does the reticulocyte circulate in the blood until it matures?
1-2days
How many mature red cells does on pronormoblast give rise to normally?
16
What cells of the kidney produce erythropoietin?
peritubular interstitial cells of the kidney
What is the stimulus for erythropoietin production?
oxygen tension in the tissues of the kidney
How does erythropoietin stimulate erythropoiesis?
increases number of progenitor cells committed to erythropoiesis by activating transcription factors eg GATA-2 involved in initiating erythroid differetiation in stem cells
What occurs with chronic increase in erythropoietin?
extension of eryhtropoiesis into fatty marrow and extramedullary sites
How many polypeptide chains does each molecule of haemoglobin have?
4
What are the three forms of Hb in adult blood?
HbA ; HbF and HbA2
What are the polypeptide chains in HbA?
2x alpha and 2x beta
What are the polypeptide chains in HbF?
2x alpha and 2xgamma
What are hte polypeptide chains found in HbA2?
2 x alpha and 2xdelta
Where does haem synthesis largely take place?
mitochondria
What are the main constituents of haem?
protoporphyrin and Fe2+
What happens to the haemoglobin moelcule when O2 is unloaded?
the beta chains are pulled apart, allowing 2,3 DPG to bind, resulting in a lower affinity for O2
What is methaemoglobinaemia?
circulating Hb has oxidised iron (3+) instead of Fe2+
What other name is the anaerobic glycolytic pathway known as?
Embden-Meyerhof pathway