Haematology 1 Flashcards
What are the functions of the blood?
Delivers nutrients to tissues
Removal of waste materials
Communication route
Suspensions of cellular elements- allows biochemical tests to be carried out.
What is transported in the blood?
Oxygen
Carbon dioxide
Nutrients
Hormones
Heat
Waste products
What is regulated in the blood?
Homeostasis of:
Body fluids
pH
Temperature
Cell water content
What does the blood protect against?
Excessive loss by clotting
Infections (WBC)
What are the blood components?
Cells (RBC, WBC, platelets) and soluble factors (water, proteins, gases and nutrients)
Plasma- WBC and platelets
Serum- allows the clot to form, efficiently removes RBC
Another name for red blood cells
erythrocytes
Another name for white blood cells
leukocytes
Lymphocytes are a type of leukocyte
Another name for platelets
thrombocytes
Another name for factor
protein
How long do lymphocytes last?
Long-lived and last for years
How long do most other blood cells last?
Hours/days/weeks
What is the RBC and platelet number like?
It remains relatively stable
What is the WBC count like?
It varies depending on invading pathogens/foreign antigens
Another name for blood cell production
haematopoiesis
What are pluripotent stem cells?
They differentiate into blood cell types
What is erythropoiesis?
The production of red blood cells
Where do red blood cells originate from?
The myeloid stem cell
Same as granulocytes, monocytes, mast cells (MC), megakaryocytes
What ejects the nucleus to form reticulocyte? (immature RBC)
Proerythrocyte
Name some features of the RBC
Anuclear with no other organelles
binconcave discs
Contains the protein haemoglobin (Hb)- which carries oxygen to all the cells and some carbon dioxide to the lungs.
What is included in a Hb molecule?
4 haem groups with a iron (Fe 2+) ion
Allows binding of the 4 x O2
What factor increases the oxygen transport efficiency?
Lack of nucleus and organelles
Where does erythropoiesis occur?
In the bone marrow (BM) red pulp
How long do RBCs live for?
Approximately 120 days
How are the dead cells removed from circulation?
By the spleen and the liver