Haemotology Flashcards
What is haematology?
The study of blood cells
What is the role of red blood cells?
They carry haemoglobin, and are what cause the blood to be red in colour
What is erythropoiesis?
The formation of red blood cells
What is plasma?
It is a straw coloured sticky fluid that is made of 91% water and 7% protein plus ions and other substances being transported from one part of the body to another
What are the functions of plasma?
Control of osmotic pressure Transportation Antibodies Contributes to blood viscosity Mops up excess acid- keeping PH neutral Blood clotting
What are the functions of blood?
Transport
Regulation
Protection
What is Haemostasis?
It is the preventing of blood loss after damage to blood vessels
How does the body prevent blood loss?
Vascular spasm
Platelet Plug
Coagulation
What is a vascular spasm?
Contractions of the smooth muscle fibres in the walls of the damaged vessels cause vasoconstriction which reduces blood flow
What is a platelet plug formation?
When a blood vessel is cut, collagen fibres are exposed- platelets attach themselves to the blood vessel lining causing a plug which blocks minor bleading
What is coagulation?
It is when the blood clots in order to stop bleeding and prevent further damage to the vessel.
What happens with coagulation?
Formation of prothrombin activator- causes prothrombin (with the help of vitamin K) to be converted to thrombin- thrombin then converts fibrinogen to fibrin- fibrin forms a network of threads that trap blood cells and platelets to form a clot
What are the roles of anti- clotting drugs such as Heparin and Warfarin?
Heparin- interferes with thrombin and stops it becoming active therefore preventing fibrinogen becoming fibrin
Warfarin- interferes with vitamin K and stops prothrombin production
