Hematology Flashcards
What is the purpose of WBC
protect the body against inflammation
Where and when are WBC produced
bone marrow, in response to infection or inflammation
What is the life-span of WBC
90-120 days
Monocytes (macrophages)
first defenders, broad action, ingest –> apoptosis, part of innate immunity
Lymphocytes
Memory, respond in a specialized way, T/B cells, part of adaptive immunity
Granulocytes (eosinophils, neutrophils, basophils)
Memory, respond in a specialized way, part of adaptive immunity
Leukocytosis
rise in WBC (above 11,000) due to stress, infection, neoplasms, or bone marrow disorders
Leukopenia
decrease in WBC (below 4,000) caused by agents that diminish bone marrow function or destruction of WBCs
Neutropenia
most common type of leukopenia, WBC count under 1,500, immune defenses are significantly impaired, caused by deficient bone marrow function/WBC destruction
Mature neutrophils
lifespan of 1-2 days, nucleus looks segmented
Immature neutrophils
nucleus looks like a band
What does the number of mature vs. immature neutrophils give us a picture of
how hard the bone marrow is working to produce WBCs
Shift to the left meaning
high ratio of immature neutrophils to mature
Pluripotent stem cells
cells that have the capacity to differentiate into any type of blood cells
Hematopoiesis
differentiation and specialization of blood cells in the bone marrow (stimulated by hormones) –> creation of blood cells
Myeloid stem cells turn into
erythroblasts, monoblasts, megakaryoblasts, and myeloblasts
Lymphoid stem cells turn into
B/T lymphocytes
What are blast cells
premature precursor cells
Erythropoiesis
the creation of RBC stimulated by hypoxia noticed by the kidneys
What is needed to adequately synthesize RBCs
protein, iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid
What is the main nutritional element needed for hemoglobin synthesis
iron
Where to RBCs stay until fully mature
bone marrow
Reticulocytes
immature RBCs
When do RBC expel their genetic material
when mature and enter the bloodstream
Hemoglobin function
carries oxygen throughout the body
Hemoglobin A
healthy hemoglobin
Hemoglobinopathies
abnormal structure of Hgb from a genetic mutation that causes the destruction of RBC and the inability to carry oxygen
Spleen purpose with blood
gathers and destroys abnormally shaped, old, and hemolyzed RBC
When does spleenomegaly occur
when there is a large amount of RBC breakdown occurring
Anemia
insufficient delivery of oxygen to the tissues
What is anemia caused by
inadequate number of mature, healthy RBCs in the blood and deficient hemoglobin
S/S of anemia relation
cellular hypoxia and a lack of cell energy due to insufficient oxygen to the tissues
What levels is anemia diagnosed
<13 in men, <12 in women
