Hematology Flashcards
Where are the majority of RBCs produced?
Specialized cells in the bone marrow
Function of erythrocytes
RBCs; transport O2/CO2, important in H+ buffering
Function of leukocytes
WBCs; body defenses, phagocytosis and killing of microbes, cellular and humoral immunity
Function of platelets
primary function is hemostasis, also plays a role clotting, wound repair, and in inflammatory processes
What’s different about avian, reptilian and amphibian RBCs?
nucleated
PCV vs. Hematocrit
PCV- packed cell volume (% of RBCs vs. plasma)
Hematocrit- PCV from a machine
Composition of Plasma
92% water, 8% solids- nutrients, proteins, hormones and enzymes, electrolytes (minerals)
Functions of Plasma
transport of nutrients, transport of by-products and waste, transportation of cells, maintain homeostasis (pH, temperature, etc)
Nutrients include:
glucose, lipids, triglycerides, amino acids
Proteins include:
albumin and globulin
Buffy coat contains:
leukocytes and platelets
Difference in appearance when there is hemolysis, lipemia and icterus index
Hemolysis- reddish plasma
Lipemia- fatty, “creamy”, occurs if animal just ate
Icterus index- yellowness of plasma appearance
Neonate plasma protein concentration vs. adult concentration
Neonate- 4-6 g/dL
Adult- 6-8 g/dL
Albumin
single homogenous protein- small molecular weight, contains minimal carbs
transport functions- organic/inorganic substances,cations, metabolites, certain hormones, poorly soluble drugs, toxic substances
osmotic pressure
Specific Globulins
important ones: anti-thrombins, inhibits thrombin and certain other coagulation factors
Transferrin
beta globulin, 2 binding sites for iron; correlates with total iron binding capacity; iron transport throughout the body
Ferritin
iron-containing protein, primarily found inside cells
Fibrinogen
increases with inflammation (acute phase protein); present in plasma but not serum because it is used in the clotting process
Chylomicrons
syntehsized/secreted from intesting; transport exogenous cholesterol, fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins absorbed from digested food
VLDL
very low density lipoproteins; primarily synthesized by the liver, transport bulk of the endogenous triglycerides; hydrolyzed by lipases in tissues and residual VLDLs are transformed into LDLs
LDL
low density lipoproteins; metabolic products from hepatic processing of VLDL remnants; core rich in cholesteryl ester, accounts for majority of cholesterol circulating in the blood; major mechanism transporting cholesterol to peripheral tissues; not as common in animals
HDL
high density lipoproteins; most dense, precursors formed in the liver and complete molecules formed in plasma by addition of remnants from other lipoproteins; transport cholesterol from tissues back to the liver in a process termed reverse cholesterol. “good cholesterol”
Is a stroke related to cholesterol plaque common in animals (excluding non-human primates)?
NO