Haemopoiesis Flashcards
What is haemopoiesis?
The production of blood cells and platelets which occurs in the bone marrow.
What is the primary role of erythrocytes (RBC’s)?
O2 and CO2 transport
What is the primary role of platelets?
Primary haemostasis
What are the 3 main groups of WBC’s?
Granulocytes
Monocytes —-> macrophages
Lymphocytes
What are the 3 types of granulocytes and what are their functions?
Neutrophils
- Phagocytosis/acute inflammation
Basophils
- Modulate hypersensitivity reactions
Eosinophils
- Modulate hypersensitivity reactions
- Destroy parasites
Functions of macrophages?
Modulate immune reactions
Phagocytic clearance
Regulatory functions
What are the types of lymphocytes and what are their functions?
B cells - humoral immunity (antibodies)
T cells - cell-mediated immunity
- regulatory functions
Natural killer (NK) cell -Anti viral/tumour
What happens to cells when the body is in a steady state?
Cell loss is balanced by cell production
What is lifespan of red cells (x10^12/l)?
~120 days
What is lifespan of white cells (x10^9/l)?
~7-8 hours
What is lifespan of platelets (x10^9/l)?
~7-10 days
What are erythroblasts?
A polychromatic nucleated cell of red bone marrow that synthesises haemoglobin and that is an intermediate in the initial stage of red blood cell formation.
What are myeloblasts?
A unipotent (stem cell capable of only forming 1 cell type) precursor of the granulocytes.
What is the cell precursor for platelets?
Megakaryocytes
What are reticulocytes?
A precursor of the red blood cells that occurs immediately before the mature red blood cell.