Haematology Flashcards
What is haematology?
The study of blood, the blood forming organs and blood diseases
What are the two main components of blood?
Red blood cells, white blood cells
Haematocytes fall into three general categories:-
Red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes) and platelets (thrombocytes)
What are haematocytes suspended in?
Plasma
Functions of plasma?
Holds the blood cells in whole blood in suspension. Water, dissolved proteins etc. medium for excretory product transportation.serves as a protein reserve for the rest of the body.
What is blood serum?
The blood plasma with the fibrinogens removed
Vertebrate erythrocytes, nucleus or no nucleus?
Nucleus, except salamanders
Mammal vertebrate erythrocytes, nucleus or no nucleus?
No nucleus
Do all vertebrates have erythrocytes?
Crocodile ice fishes do not have rbc’s
What are the three non mammalian vertebrates?
Asians, reptiles, amphibians
What shape are mammalian erythrocytes?
Donut shaped
Why are they this shape?
Large surface area for maximum oxygen capacity
What is erythropoesis?
The process by which red blood cells are produced.
Where does this happen?
In the red bone marrow
How is it controlled?
A feedback loop involving the erythropoietin helps regulate the process so that in non-diseased states the production of rbc is equal to the destruction of rbc.
How are erythrocytes destroyed?
Water passes into the ageing rbc distorting its shape making them in elastic. As they travel through the circulation phagocytes engulf them.
Name three causes of reduced Pcv
Haemolytic disease, haemophilia, haemorrhage
What is an increase of WBC called?
Leucocytosis
What is a decrease in WBC called?
Leukopenia
What is the function of neutrophils?
Phagocytic, they ingest other cells. They arrive at the site of infection and carry out a process called chemo taxis
