Constituents of blood Flashcards
What are the 3 types of blood cells?
Red blood cells
White blood cells
Platelets
RBC - high/low oncotic pressure
High
RBC - do they have a nucleus? what does this mean?
No nucleus
- can’t divide/generate new proteins once in the circulation
RBC have mitochondria. True or false?
False
RBC have a flexible shape - true or false?
True
What is the advantage of RBCs having a biconcave shape?
Allows it to squeeze through smaller vessels
Provides a larger surface area
What colour is a reticulocyte? and why?
Blue (polychromatic)
Still contains RNA
Reticulocyte contains RNA/DNA +/- nucleus?
Reticulocyte
- RNA
- NO nucleus
Erythropoiesis (red cell production) takes place?
In the bone marrow
When do RBCs loose their nucleus?
Before they leave the bone marrow
What is the function of RBCs?
To transport oxygen
Describe the stages of erythropoiesis
Pronormoblast -> Early normoblast (basophilic) -> Intermediate normoblast (polychromatophilic) -> Late normoblast (orthochromatic) -> Reticulocyte -> Erythrocyte
An immature RBC is called
Erythrocyte
As a RBC proliferates and matures during erythropoiesis, it becomes LARGER/SMALLER in size ?
smaller
At which stage of erythropoesis does the nucleus get thrown out?
Pronormoblast -> Early normoblast (basophilic) -> Intermediate normoblast (polychromatophilic) -> Late normoblast (orthochromatic) -> Reticulocyte -> Erythrocyte
Late normoblast
When does the RBC become a FULLY mature RBC (erythrocyte) ?
When there is no RNA left
Hb molecule is able to carry oxygen in Fe2+ or Fe3+ form?
Fe2+ form
What protects the iron in Hb from oxidation?
NADH
NADH is classed as an oxidising/reducing agent?
Reducing agent
What is the name of the molecule which protects us from hydrogen peroxide? How does it do this?
Glutathione (GSH)
- it reacts with Hydrogen peroxide to form water and an oxidised glutathione product
Where does Hb synthesis occur?
Cytoplasm `
Increased temperature shifts the oxy-Hb dissociation curve to the right/left?
right
Raised 2,3 DPG shifts the oxy-Hb dissociation curve to the right/left?
Right
Increased pH shifts the oxy-Hb dissociation curve to the right/left?
Left
Oxy-Hb dissociation curve shift to the RIGHT results in more/less oxygen being delivered to the tissues and more/less oxygen bound to the Hb
More oxygen delivered to the tissues
Less oxygen bound to the Hb
Where are RBCs produced?
Bone marrow
What is production of RBCs stimulated by?
Erythropoietin
Which organ stimulates the production of erythropoietin?
Kidney
Aged RBCs are taken up by which structure?
Macrophages
- thus, they are removed from the circulation
Where does the destruction of RBCs usually take place?
Spleen
Destruction of RBCs - what happens to global chains?
Recycled to amino acids
Destruction of RBCs - what happens to Haem groups
Broken down to iron and porphyrin ring
- iron is recycled
- porphyrin -> bilirubin -> conjugated in liver -> excreted in faeces
WBC - function
To fight infection
Name 3 groups of WBC
Lymphocyte
Granulocyte
Monocyte
Name 3 types of granulocyte
Eosinophil
Basophil
Neutrophil
Eosinophil - what colour are the granules ?
Red granules
Basophil - what colour are the granules ?
Dark blue-ish granules
When a lymphocyte is in its activated state, it has which colour of cytoplasm?
Plentiful blue cytoplasm
- this can extend round neighbouring cells
When are atypical lymphocytes seen in the bloodstream?
As a consequence of recent viral illness
Neutrophil - structure
Polymorph
- multiple segments
Neutrophil - function
immediate line of defence
Response to acute infection by phagocytosing invaders. They die in the process
Neutrophil - has a short/long life in circulation?
Short
Eosinophil - structure
Bi-lobed
Red granules present in the cytoplasm
Eosinophil - which type of infections does it fight?
Parasitic infections
Eosinophil - function
Fight parasitic infection
Hypersensitivity (allergic reactions)
Basophils - structure
Large deep purple/blue granules in the cytoplasm
Basophils - function
Mediates hypersensitivity reaction
What do basophils contain?
Histamine
Monocytes are multinucleated. True or false?
False
- single nucleated
Why are monocytes not classified as granulocytes?
They have faintly stunning granules
Monocyte - function
Similar to neutrophil
Phagocytose invaders
Orchestrate the immune response
Monocyte - short/long lived in the circulation compared to neutrophils
Long lived
- circulate for a week
What do monocytes become?
Macrophages
Platelets - function
Prevent bleeding
