Haematopoiesis/Haemopoiesis Flashcards
What is Haematopoiesis?
Process of production of mature blood cells from haemopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow
What causes differentiation in Haematopoiesis? Give an example of one
- Growth Factors
- Erythropoietin, Interleukins, Thrombopoietin, G-CSF
Name 2 pre-natal sites of Haematopoiesis
- Liver
- Spleen
- Yolk Sac
How are platelets formed and what is their main function?
- Platelets are formed by Megakaryocytes in bone marrow
- Act as the primary plug in blood vessel breaks and start the clotting cascade
What do cells lose as they move from the bone marrow to the blood?
Nucleus
Describe the structure of Haemoglobin
- 2 alpha and beta chains
- 1 haem molecule
- 4 iron molecules
Describe 2 characteristics of a red blood cell
- Biconcave shape
- Lipid bilayer
- No nucleus/organelles
- Flexible
How are red blood cells different in a patient with Sickle Cell disease?
- Red blood cells are less flexible
- Crystallisation causes shape change
- Sickle shaped cells get stuck in capillaries causing pain
What are the 5 types of White Blood Cell?
- Lymphocyte
- Eosinophil
- Neutrophil
- Monocyte
- Basophil
How do first line killer white blood cells work?
- ‘Smell’ organisms (chemotaxis)
- Kill directly by engulfing
- Broken down by intracellular granules
How do monocytes work?
Stimulate the immune response by presenting antigens to lymphocytes
What are the 3 types of lymphocytes?
- B-Cells
- T-Cells
- Natural killer cells
Describe the action of B-cells, T-cells and Natural killer cells
B-Cells - Produce antibodies when faced with foreign antigens
T-Cells - Recognise and directly kill foreign proteins
Natural killer cells - Stimulate cells to self-destruct by Apoptosis
Give 2 haematological treatments
- RBC transfusion
- Stem cell transplant
- Use of growth factor hormones to replenish cells depleted by cancer
What condition results in low results on all aspects of an FBC?
Pancytopenia
