Day 1 Flashcards
The most abundant cells in the bloodstream and contains hemoglobin
Red blood cells or erythrocytes
The compound that carries oxygen through the body
Red blood cells or erythrocytes
Can occur in a free state in some animals, in the human body it has to be contained within a cell (the red blood cell)
Hemoglobin
The final stage of maturation requires two important vitamins:
Vitamins B12 and folic acid
The process of developing from erythropoietin bone marrow cells to mature red blood cells takes about what days?
7 days
The stimulus for producing red blood cells is what?
Hypoxia
The life span of a red blood cell is what?
Approximately 120 days
The primary site where this occurs is in the
Spleen
Once a red blood cell ruptures, hemoglobin is released into the circulation for processing. This is primarily done by the
KUPFFER CELLS (of the liver and macrophages in the spleen and bone marrow.)
Breakdown of RBC and liberation of hemoglobin
Hemolysis
Susceptibility of RBC ot hemolysis or tendency ot break easily
Fragility
2 types of fragility and hemolysis
Osmotic fragility
Mechanical fragility
Due to exposure to hypotonic saline.
Osmotic fragility
Due to mechanical trauma
Mechanical fragility
Physiologic causes of increase count:
Age
Gender
High altitude
Exercise
Temperature
Meal
Decrease in count
High barometric pressure
Pregnancy
Sleep
Pathological variations:
Increase: Polycythemia
Decrease: Anaemia
