Haematology Flashcards
What is plasma
Liquid component of blood.
What is the buffy coat comprised of
Leukocytes and platelets
order of plasma protein abundance and how to test
Test by electrophoresis. Serum albumin most abundant (at positive anode) then globulins: alpha 1, alpha 2, beta 1, beta 2, gamma)
What is serum
Plasma minus clotting factors
Order of fluids in body from most to least
Intracellular, extracellular/interstitial fluid, blood plasma, then cellular fluid
Name the functions of plasma
Clotting ( clotting factors and Von willebrand) , Immune defence (antibodies and complement proteins) , osmotic pressure maintenance (albumin ), metabolism ( glucose AA’s and vitamins transported in plasma), Endocrine (Many hormones soluble in plasma), Excretion (Cell metabolism waste products travel in blood like urea)
Serum albumin production, functions
Produced by the liver.
Transports lipids, hormones and ions
Maintains osmotic pressure of plasma
Albumin transports fatty acids released from triglycerides in lipolysis, for tissue use
Difference between preparing plasma and serum
Plasma is relatively quick - add an anticoagulant and spin
Serum is taken into a tube without an anticoagulant allowed to clot then centrifuged so takes a little bit longer but a silica coat will form between the two layers making it a cleaner sample
Alpha 1 globulin production and functions
A1AT is produced by the liver, it inhibits proteases and protects tissues from enzymes especially neutrophil elastase which is released by neutrophils during inflammation and damages tissues.
What does deficient A1AT cause
Degradation of lung tissue leading to a loss of elasticity and respiratory problems. This type of globulin is the most vulnerable to inhaled pollutants
Example of alpha-2 globulins and their function
Haptogloblin which binds to the Haemoglobin release from red blood cells when they die, the spleen will remove the haptoglobin-Haemoglobin complex, it avoids toxic levels of oxygen which could produce radical species
Alpha-2 macros login is a protease inhibitor and can inactivate fibrinolysis, stops the breakdown of fibrin in blood clotting
Measuring what can help to diagnose haemolytic anaemia
Haptoglobin as more red blood cells are lysed and therefore haptoglobin is binding to more
Examples of beta globulins, their functions and where they’re produced
Produced in the liver
Beta globulins include C3 and C4 as well as transferrin
Transferrin transports dietary iron and iron for, ferritin stores
Gamma globulin examples and diagnostic use
Immunoglobulins and C reactive proteins
Large peak of gamma globulins indicate infection or myeloma
Role of Mg2+
Cofactor for many enzymes
How are intracellular and extracellular contents of plasma balanced
NA+ plentiful in the plasma whilst K+ is plentiful intracellularly. The positive charge from K+ inside the cell is balanced by extracellular Cl- and anions like proteins nuclei acids and phosphorylated proteins
Why is the NA/K ATPase pump significant
Needed to maintain functioning of electrically excitable cells like neutrons and muscle fibres. 1/3 of AT{ consumed during rest is to power this pump.
When ATP is depleted what happens to cells
Cells become more spherical and intracellular and extracellular concentrations change and NA+ and H2O move in
Name the three usages of plasma in regards to disease and disease protection and explain
Biomarkers- study of plasma proteome and it’s links with disease, medications and lifestyle to make treatment decisions. Elevated levels become biomarkers of disease
Passive immunotherapy- immunoglobulins can transfer immunity from on to another e.g take plasma from a donor: concentrate IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin G) as IVIG contains large amounts of IgG antibodies so can protect against common pathogens the donor has been exposed to - good for lupus patients
3) Hyperimmune globulin - donors screened via ELISA for high levels of IgG against a certain pathogen, the IgG fraction is isolated and concentrated providing passive immunity to a specific pathogen for someone. Given after someone has high risk exposure to a pathogen like rabies, hep B, etc. vaccines provide active immunity but take weeks for a response.
Where do red blood cells come from and what from
From the bone marrow, derived from haematopoeitic stem cells which make lymphoid stem cells ( lymphoid progenitor) to make lymphocytes like T cell, B cell and NK cells and myeloid stem cells (myeloid progenitor) where erythrocytes, platelets, monocytes, granulocytes, basophils, eosinophils and mast cells are derived
What is haematopoeisis
Formation and development of blood cells
Two functions of haematopoeitic stem cells
Ability to self renew as daughter cells become the stem cells again
Can differentiate to mature progeny where the daughter cells follow a differentiation pathway
Order the differentiations of myeloid stem cells from longest life span and state their function
Erythrocyte longest about 120 days for oxygen transport
Platelet 10 days for Haemostasis
Monocyte few days for defence against infection phagocytoses and kills
Neutrophil 7-10 hours defence against infection phagocytoses and kills
Eosinophil less than neutrophil is against parasitic infection seen in allergies
Lymphocyte variable lifespan for humour also (b cells making antibodies) and cellular immunity (T cells directly killing)
Sites of haematopoeisis in foetus
At 3 weeks the yolk sac makes haematopoeitic stem cells
At 6-8 weeks the liver makes HSC expands and maintains supply
At 10 weeks the bone marrow develops haematopoeitic activity and this is where haematopoeitic activity will occur in adults ( pelvis, femur sternum)