Haematology Flashcards
What is erythropoiesis?
Erythro: RBC
Poiesis: to make
Makes red blood cells
Where in the body are red blood cells produced?
Red bone marrow
What is the structure of platelets?
No nucleus
What is the function of a platelet?
Releases chemicals and causes blood clots
What is the structure of plasma?
Straw colour and sticky fluid
What is the function of plasma?
1) Transports hormones, drugs and calcium’s
2) controls os,optic pressure of blood
3) contributes to viscosity of blood. 3x more viscous than water
What is haemostasis?
Stemming if blood loss following damage to a blood vessel
What are the 3 processes of haemostasis?
1) vascular spasm
2) formation of a platelet plug
3) clotting
What do platelets attach themselves to?
The sticky lining of blood vessels
What is the coagulation phase?
Converts fibrinogen present in blood to form fibrin which will trap platelets and blood cells and seal the cut in the blood vessel.
Anti platelet medicines reduce what?
The risk of clots forming in the blood which reduces the risk of having a stroke or heart attack
Anticoagulant medicines reduce what?
The ability of blood to clot because blood clots can block blood vessels and lead to conditions such as stroke or heart attack
The haemostatic response to vascular damage depends on what 3 processes?
1) vessel wall spasm
2) platelet plug formation
3) blood coagulation
Which vitamin is a co enzyme in the production of clotting factors in the liver?
Vitamin K
In the blood clotting cascade, the clotting protein which is converted to fibrin by the action of thrombin is?
Fibrinogen
