Hematology Exam 2 Flashcards
What is an erythroblast?
Nucleated RBC precursor restricted to the bone marrow
BFU-E gives rise to _____ colonies.
CFU-E gives rise to _____ colonies.
Which is more immature?
Large; Smaller
BFU-E is more immature
List the order of maturation of RBCs from BFU-E to mature erythrocyte.
BFU-E –> CFU-E –> Pronormoblast –> Basophilic normoblast –> Polychromatic normoblast –> Orthochromic normoblast –> polychromatic RBC (reticulocyte) –> Erythrocyte
What are the 5 rules of RBC maturation?
- Size of cell decreases as it matures
- N:C ratio decreases as it matures (eventually nucleus is gone)
- Nuclear chromatin condenses
- Nucleoli disappear
- Cytoplasm changes from blue to gray-blue to pink
Why does an immature RBC have a blue cytoplasm, while a mature RBC has a pink cytoplasm?
Blue color correlates with RNA presence, and pink color correlates with amount of hemoglobin present. Younger cells are more active in protein production and as they age, ribosomes disappear and only hemoglobin remains.
Standout features of PRONORMOBLAST identification
- HUGE round nucleus (8:1 N:C ratio) with purple/red open chromatin
- Dark blue cytoplasm with golgi complex possibly visible as unstained area
Standout features of BASOPHILIC NORMOBLAST identification
- chromatin begins to condense and is more purple
- nucleus begins to get smaller, but still large (6:1 N:C ratio)
- cytoplasm is more of a deeper blue color
Standout features of a POLYCHROMATIC NORMOBLAST identification
- No nucleoli present, N:C ratio greatly decreases (4:1-1:1)
- Cytoplasm becomes more of a pink-blue color
What is the last stage of RBC precursor that is capable of division?
Polychromatic normoblast
Standout features of ORTHOCHROMIC NORMOBLAST identification
- Completely condensed chromatin and small nucleus (1:2 NC ratio)
- Increasing pink color in cytoplasm
- looks like a “fried egg”
Is it normal to see polychromatic erythrocytes (reticulocytes) in peripheral blood?
It is ok to see them, just not a lot of them. If you see too many, that is indicating a problem.
Where are reticulocytes found?
BM for 1-2 days and then peripheral blood for ~1 day before reaching maturity.
Is it normal to see nRBCs in the peripheral blood?
NO. These should only be found in the bone marrow.
Standout features for POLYCHROMATIC ERYTHROCYTE/RETICULOCYTE identification
- NO nucleus (first stage that is NOT an nRBC)
- Pink cytoplasm with blue tinge around edges
- Can see blue RNA in supravital stain
- NOT a biconcave disk; irregular shape
Standout features of a MATURE ERYTHROCYTE identification
- no nucleus
- biconcave disk, salmon-pink color with central pallor
- located in peripheral blood/circulation
What organ produces erythropoietin (EPO)?
Kidneys
What is the function of erythropoietin?
The major stimulatory cytokine for RBCs; acts as a hormone and a growth factor for developing erythroid cells
What organ is hypoxia detected by? What does this trigger?
Detected by kidneys; triggers EPO production
What stimulates EPO release?
Low oxygen detected by kidneys (hypoxia)
What are the 3 major effects of erythropoietin?
- Allows early release of reticulocytes from the bone marrow
- Prevents apoptosis
- Reduces the time needed for cells to mature in the BM (accelerates hemoglobin production)
What is a shift reticulocyte?
Very basophilic, young reticulocytes that have been released from the BM early due to trigger from EPO
What is extravascular hemolysis vs intravascular hemolysis?
Extravascular hemolysis occurs in the spleen and is macrophage-mediated. It is good, controlled destruction of RBCs.
Intravascular hemolysis is mechanical when a small portion of RBCs rupture intravascularly and results in fragmentation of RBCs.
Name the products of the Glycolysis pathway from Glucose –> Lactate in order. (using abbreviations)
Glucose
G6P (Glucose-6 Phosphate)
F6P (Fructose-6 Phosphate)
F1,6-BP (Fructose 1,6-Bisphosphate)
G3P (Glyceraldehyde-3 Phosphate)
1,3-BPG (1,3-Bisphosphoglycerate)
3PG (3-phosphoglycerate) - 2 ATP produced here
2PG (2-phosphoglycerate)
PEP (phosphoenolpyruvate)
Pyruvate - 2 ATP produced here
Lactate
What enzyme takes Glucose to G6P?
Hexokinase
What enzyme takes G6P to F6P?
G6P isomerase
What enzyme takes F6P to F-1,6 BP?
6-PFK
What enzyme takes F1,6-BP to G3P
FBP aldolase
What enzyme takes GA3P to 1,3 BPG?
GA3P dehydrogenase
What enzyme takes 3PG to 2PG?
phosphoglycerate mutase
What enzyme takes 2PG to PEP?
Enolase
What enzyme takes PEP to pyruvate?
Pyruvate kinase
What enzyme takes pyruvate to lactate?
Lactase dehydrogenase
In what two steps in the glycolytic pathway do we gain our four ATP?
1,3 BPG to 3PG +2 ATP
PEP to Pyruvate +2 ATP
What is the net gain of ATP in the Embden-Meyerhof Pathway per one molecule of glucose?
2 ATP. We make 4 ATP in the process, but we use 2 ATP in the process.
Through which transmembrane protein does glucose enter the RBC?
Glut-1
What is the initial substrate of anaerobic glycolysis?
Glucose
What are the final products of anaerobic glycolysis?
Pyruvate, ATP, Lactate, NAD
What is the main purpose of the Hexose Monophosphate Pathway/Shunt?
detoxification of peroxide - uses 5-10% of G6P from embden-meyerhof pathway to divert to this pathway