Components of the blood

Question 1

Contents of the serum

Answer 1

Glucose
Electrolytes (sodium and potassium)
Proteins (immunoglobulins and hormones)

Question 2

Plasma vs serum

Answer 2

Serum is plasma once clotting factors have been removed

Question 3

2 precursor steps to RBCs

Answer 3

Myeloid stem cells -> reticulocytes -> RBCs

Question 4

Precursor cells to platelets

Answer 4

Megakaryocytes

Question 5

Lifespan of RBCs

Lifespan of Platelets

Answer 5

RBC - 3 months

Platelet - 10 days

Question 6

Products of promyelocytes

Answer 6

Monocytes then macrophages
Neutrophils
Eosinophils
Mast Cells
Basophils

Question 7

Anisocytosis - finding on blood films

Answer 7

myelodysplasic syndrome as well as some forms of anaemia

Question 8

Target cells - finding on blood films

Answer 8

Seen in iron deficiency anaemia and post splenectomy

have a central pigmented area, surrounded by a pale area, surrounded by a ring of thicker cytoplasm on the outside. This makes it look like a bull’s eye target.

Question 9

Heinz bodies - finding on blood film

Answer 9

Seen in G6PD and alpha-thalassaemia

Individual blobs seen inside of RBCs caused by denatured globin

Question 10

Howell-Jolly bodies - finding on blood films

Answer 10

Post-splenectomy and severe anaemia (when RBCs are being regenerated quickly)

Individual blobs of DNA material seen inside RBCs. (usually NDA removed by spleen)

Question 11

Reticulocytes - finding on blood film

Answer 11

Haemolytic anaemia - (because high turnover of cells)

Normal percentage around 1%
Mesh like appearance from presence of RNA material.
Slightly larger than mature RBCs

Question 12

Schistocytes - finding on blood films

Answer 12

Schistocytes are fragments of RBCs
Indicate networks of clots in small blood vessels caused by:

• Haemolytic uraemic syndrome
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
• Thrombotic thrombocytopaenia purpura

Can also be present in:

• Metalic heart valves
• Haemolytic anaemia

Question 13

Sideroblasts - finding on blood film

Answer 13

Immature RBCs that contain blobs of iron (bone marrow unable to incorporate iron into the haemoglobin molecules)

• Indicate myelodysplastic syndrome

Question 14

Smudge cells - finding on blood films

Answer 14

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

ruptured WBCs that occur during process of prepping blood film - as a result of aged or fragile white blood cells

Question 15

Spherocytes - finding on blood films

Answer 15

Can indicate:

• Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
• Hereditary spherocytosis

(SPherical RBCs without normal bi-concave disk space)