Hematology Fundamentals Flashcards
Define hematology
The study of blood
What is the blood volume in adults?
5-6 liters
What is the pH of blood?
7.35-7.45 - SLIGHTLY ALKALINE
What are the functions of the blood?
- Transporting nutrients
- Removing metabolic waste products
- Providing protection from foreign particles
- Forming blood clots
- Regulating temperature
Blood consists of what 2 components?
Plasma and cells
What percentage of plasma is water?
90%
If 90% of plasma is water, what is the other 10%?
Dissolved solutes
What is plasma’s main function?
To help distribute heat evenly throughout the body
List plasma components
- Nutrients
- Plasma Proteins
- Amino Acids
- Fat
- Lipoprotein
- Minerals & Electrolytes
- Hormones
- Gases
- Waste products of metabolism
What is albumin and what is the percentage of protein in plasma?
- Most abundant protein made by the liver
- 60%
What is albumin’s main function?
It maintains blood volume and blood pressure
What are globulins and what is the percentage of protein in plasma?
- antibodies that fight against disease
- 40%
What is another function of globulin?
It carries protein and lipids
What is the A/G ratio?
60/40
What is fibrinogen?
What’s its main function?
- The least abundant plasma protein
- It aids in the clotting of blood
What do nutrients in plasma consist of?
Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins
What do amino acids do?
They come from proteins that are broken down by our digestive system
What does fat in plasma do?
It circulates fatty acids, carried by albumin, and it’s the main source of energy
What do lipoproteins in plasma consist of?
HDL - good cholesterol
LDL - bad cholesterol
What are the minerals and electrolytes in plasma?
sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphorus, iron, iodine
What are hormones?
They’re chemical messengers secreted directly into the blood by endocrine glands
What are the main gases in plasma?
Oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen
What are the waste products of metabolism?
Urea, uric acid, creatinine, ammonia
What is the difference between serum and plasma?
Serum is plasma minus the plasma proteins and clotting factor
What is a stem cell also known as?
Hemocytoblast
What do stem cells form?
Lymphoid Stem Cells
Myeloid Stem Cells
What is the function of lymphoid stem cells?
To produce lymphocytes
What is the function of myeloid stem cells?
To produce all other blood cells
Define hematopoiesis
Blood cell formation
What is the first category of progenitor cells?
List their precursors
- Myeloid Progenitor Cells
- Precursor for WBC’s, RBC’s, and platelets
What is the second category of progenitor cells?
List their precursors
- Lymphoid Progenitor Cells
- Precursor for only lymphocytes and NK cells
What is the percent of RBC’s in the blood?
99%
What is the shape of RBC’s
Biconcave discs
How long can RBC’s live?
120 days
When do blood cells start to form?
In the embryo stage
Do mature RBC’s have a nucleus?
No
What are reticulocytes?
Immature red blood cells
Define anemia
a condition marked by a deficiency of red blood cells
Define polycythemia
presence of an abnormally large number of erythrocytes
Define anisocytosis
red blood cells have variation in size
Define poikilocytosis
an increase in abnormal RBC’s of any shape
Define phagocytosis
the ingestion of bacteria
Define ameboid movement
a crawling-like type of movement in which cell forms “false feet”
Define hemolysis
destruction of RBC’s
define hemostasis
stoppage of blood
define hematopoiesis
blood cell formation
define erythropoiesis
RBC production
define rouleaux
a group of RBC’s that are stuck together
what is sickle cell anemia?
a genetic disorder caused by abnormal “Hgb S”
What happens to red blood cells if someone has Thalassemia?
they appear microcytic and hypochromic
What hematology tests require green tubes?
G-6-PD, Osmotic Fragility
What do hemoglobin do?
They carry and transport oxygen molecules to the cells and tissues
What is hematocrit?
The percentage or volume RBC in whole blood after centrifuging
What do you use to count blood cells?
Coulter counter
