haematology Flashcards
What is haematology?
diagnosis and treatment of patients who have disorders of blood and bone marrow
What is the structure of the bone marrow (colour)?
red marrow and yellow marrow
What happens in the red marrow?
haematopietic activity - production of myeloid and lymphoid cells that develop into RBC, WBC and platelets
What happens in the yellow marrow?
contains mostly adipose tissue, can be converted to red marrow when supply is low
What is erythropoietin?
a glycoprotein hormone, stimulates red blood cell production
When does erythropoietin increase?
when cells in kidney detect low blood oxygen levels
What is erythropoiesis?
development of red blood cells
What is MCV?
defines the size of RBCs
What is a reticulocyte?
an immature red blood cell, no nucleus
What is the reticuloendothelial system important for?
It plays an important role in host defence by removing foreign material
What causes a shift to the RIGHT in the haemoglobin dissociation curve?
low pH, high temp, high co2 carbon dioxide
What causes a shift to the LEFT in the haemoglobin dissociation curve?
high pH, low temp, low partial co2 pressure
Where does iron absorption occur?
in the duodenum and upper jejunum
What enzyme oxidases Fe2+ to Fe3+
ferrireductase
What is the role of the protein transferrin?
the glycoprotein in plasma, delivers iron to tissues
