CVS Flashcards
Life span of erythrocytes
120 days
Diameter of erythrocytes
7.5 micrometers
Where are RBCs removed
Spleen
Liver
Bone marrow
2 main groups of leukocytes
Granulocytes and agranulocytes
Which type of leukocyte is involved in a) innate immune response and b) adaptive
A) granulocytes
B) lymphocytes
What are the 3 granulocytes
Neutrophil
Basophils
Eosinophils
What are 2 main groups of lymphocytes
B and T cells
What is the most abundant WBC
Neutrophil
What do monocytes mature into
Macrophages or dendritic cells
What do basophils mature into
Mast cells
What are the 2 agranulocytes
Lymphocytes
Monocytes
What is the function of neutrophils
They’re phagocytes so engulf and destroy bacteria and other foreign molecules
They circulate in the blood and invade tissue spaces
What is the function of eosinophils
Phagocytic with particular affinity for antigen/antibody complexes
Have Receptors for immunoglobulin E
Inhibit mast cell creation
Neutralise histamine
Restricts inflammatory responses
What is the function of basophils
Act to prevent coagulation and agglutination
Release histamine and other vaso-active agents in response to allergens which results in immediate hypersensitivity reaction
What is haemostasis
Process to prevent and stop bleeding
Primary - platelet plug formation
Secondary - coagulation cascade
How does vessel injury stimulate the platelet plug formation
Endothelial wall becomes exposed
Smooth muscle contracts to limit blood loss
Mechanisms of contraction:
Endothelin release
Nervous stimulation
Describe the adhesion stage of platelet plug formation
Subendothelial collagen becomes exposed
Platelets bind to collagen via von Willebrand factor using the platelet receptor GP1B
Describe the activation process of platelet plug formation
Once bound to the subendothelium, platelets change shape - from smooth discoid to spiked
Platelets release alpha and electron dense granules, to escalate haemostasis process
Alpha:
vWF, Thromboxane A2, fibrinogen and fibrin-stabilizing factor
Electron-dense:
ADP, Ca2+, Serotonin
Describe the aggregation stage of platelet plug formation
Other platelets are attracted which bind together using GP2b/3a receptors and fibrinogen
How does the coagulation pathway form a cross linked fibrin clot
Prothrombin is converted to thrombin (IIa)
Thrombin converts fibrinogen to fibrin (Ia)
Fibrin stabilising factor (XIIIa) is formed which together with fibrin forms a cross linked fibrin clot