Introduction to the structure and function of blood Flashcards
1
Q
What is the structure of the blood?
A
Plasma fluid RBC WBC Platelets Water Amino Acids Carbohydrates
2
Q
What is another name for RBC?
A
Erthrocytes
3
Q
What are some key features of RBC?
A
Biconcave discs
No nucleus
Does NOT contain DNA // RNA // Mitochondria
4
Q
What is another name for WBC?
A
Leukocytes
5
Q
What are the 3 types of WBC?
A
Neutrophils
Eosinophils
Basohphils
6
Q
What are the 2 categories for neutrophils?
A
Polymorphonuclear
Granulocyte
7
Q
What is a polymorphonuclear neutrophil?
A
Irregular // multi - lobed nucleus
Cytoplasm contains granules
8
Q
What is a granulocyte neutrophil?
A
Prominent cytoplasmic granules
9
Q
Why is the granulocyte and polymorphonuclear neutrophils so important?
A
They are essential for the INNATE immune system.
10
Q
What is the purpose of neutrophils?
A
Heals damaged tissues = levels INCREASE in response to infections / injuries / stress
11
Q
What is the purpose of eosinophils?
A
High levels indicate a PARASITIC infection // allergic reactions / cancer
12
Q
What is the purpose of basophils?
A
Prevents blood from CLOTTING too quickly.
Thus, promotes blood flow to the tissues.
13
Q
What are mononuclear cells?
A
These are blood cells with a SINGLE nucleus but LACKS granules.
14
Q
What are the 2 types of mononuclear cells?
A
Monocytes
Lymphocytes
15
Q
What are platelets?
A
These are cytoplasmic fragments and have NO nucleus.
16
Q
Where are the platelets derived from?
A
These are derived from the bone marrow.
17
Q
What is the purpose of platelets?
A
The main function is HEMOSTASIS : which is to PREVENT and STOP bleeding.
18
Q
Why does the bone marrow contain IMMATURE cells?
A
This occurs when the bone marrow DOES NOT mature and thus does not become healthy blood cells.
19
Q
Which blood diseases can be treated by bone marrow transplantation?
A
Leukemia
Multiple myeloma
Immune deficiency disorder
20
Q
What does the plasma contain?
A
Water Salts Proteins = Albumin and Globulin Lipids Carbohydrates Lipids
21
Q
Where is Albumin made and what is the purpose of it?
A
It’s made in the liver.
PREVENTS the blood from leaking out of the blood vessels.
22
Q
What is Globulin made of and where is it made?
A
Mixture of alpha / beta / gamma types.
Made by the liver and the immune system.
23
Q
What is the positive ions constituents of the plasma?
A
Sodium // Potassium // Magnesium // Calcium
24
Q
What is the negative ions constituents of the plasma?
A
Chloride // Bicarbonate // Phosphate // Sulphate
25
What is plasma?
This is the fluid component of the WHOLE blood.
26
What is serum?
This is the fluid left after blood clotting.
27
What is the difference between plasma and serum?
Plasma contains clotting factors and also, proteins whereas serum DOES NOT contain clotting factors.
28
What are the 2 main proteins contained in the plasma?
Fibrinogen and Prothrombin
| These two contain proteins // fats // salt
29
What is the purpose of clotting factors?
Allows clotting to occur.
30
What are the 3 main types of proteins?
Albumin
Globulin
Fibrinogen
31
Explain more about Albumin?
This is a protein made. by the liver.
| This keeps the fluid in the bloodstream and carries VARIOUS substance through the body.
32
What is haematopoiesis?
This is the formation of blood cells via the process of differentiation.
33
What is the origin of ALL blood cells?
Stem cells.
34
What are the two pathways which are present in the haematopoiesis?
Lymphocyte
| Myeloid
35
What are the different stages of haematopoiesis?
Stem Cells
Porgenitors
Precursors
Mature blood cells
36
Where can haematopoiesis occur?
This can occur in the adult bone marrow and the liver // thymus alongside the spleen.
37
Where are the sites of haematopoiesis in infants?
Bone Marrow
Kidney
Spleen
Liver
38
Where are the site of haematopoiesis in adults?
Central skeleton
- Vertebrae
- Ribs // Sternum
- Skull
- Sacrum
- Pelvis
- Femur // Humerus
39
Where is haematopoiesis limited to as you age?
Ribs // Sternum
Skull
Sacrum
Pelvis
40
Explain the purpose of bone marrow.
It is the PRIMARY site of haemotopoiesis.
| It is has many blood vessels which can bring nutrients but can also take it away too.
41
What is the difference between the red and yellow bone marrow?
Red bone marrow is where ACTIVE haematopoiesis occurs. Yellow bone marrow is filled with FAT cells.
42
What is the name of the condition given for yellow bone marrow and why does it occur?
This is known as APLASTIC ANEMIA and its MORE common as you age.
They contain meserichymal stem cells which produce fat / cartilage / bone.
43
What is erythropoiesis?
This is the process by which RBC's forms.
| This is due to the fact that cells mature based on effects of DIFFERENT growth factors.
44
What do hemapoietic stem cells become?
These divide and become ERYTHROBLASTS.
45
What is another name for erythroblasts?
Immature erthyrocyte containing a nucleus.
46
What is myelopoiesis?
This leads to the formation of granulocytes = Leads to the formation of neutrophils // eosinophils // basophils.
47
What are the substances created in myelopoesis (give in CORRECT order)?
```
Myeloblast
Promyelocyte
Myelocyte
Metamyelocyte
Band
Segmented neutrophil
```
48
How does platelets form?
Platelets are formed from megakaryocytes.
49
What are polypoid cells?
These are cells which have 3 or MORE the haploid chromosome number.
50
What are cytoplasmic fragments and what happens to them?
These are stored in the spleen.
| As they age, they are pinched off into circulation.
51
What is lymphopoiesis?
This is the generation of lymphocytes.
| The expression of a functional antigen receptor on the surface of the lymphocyte.
52
What are the 2 different types of lymphocytes?
T - lymphocytes
| B - lymphocytes
53
How are the t and b lymphocytes formed?
These are formed due to differentiation of a common lymphoid progenitor.
54
What is the purpose of t - lymphocytes?
Protects body from pathogens and cancer cells.
55
What is the purpose of b- lymphocytes?
Secretes antibodies.
56
Where are t - cells formed?
Thymus
57
How are t - cells formed?
Early progenitor migrates to thymus.
T - cell receptor gene RE - arrangement.
There is positive and negative selection.
58
Where are b - cells formed?
Bone Marrow.
59
How are b - cells formed?
Immunoglobulin gene rearrangement.
Expression of surface IgM. (This is immunoglobulin M).
Immature b - cell migrates to lymphoid organs for MATURATION and ANTIGEN selection.
60
What are haematopoietic growth factors?
These regulate differentiation and proliferation of PARTICULAR progenitor cells.
61
What is a progenitor?
These are stem cells which can DIFFERENTIATE into a SPECIFIC type of cell.
ALREADY HAS A TARGET CELL.
62
What is an erythroprotein?
This is a hormone and can be detected // tested in the blood via the usage of EPO test.
63
Where are erythroprotein cells produced?
Produced in the kidneys
64
Why are erythroproteins released?
These are released in response to hypoxia = When there are LOW levels of oxygen.
Increases the production of RBC's.
65
What is a G - CSF? (Granulocyte colony stimulating factor)
This is a glycoprotein which STIMULATES the bone marrow to produce granulocytes and stem cells.
66
Why are G - CSF's released?
These are produced in response to inflammation and STMULATES neutrophil production in the bone.
67
What are some examples of G - CSF?
Filgrastrim
Lenograstim
Lipegfilgastrim
68
What is the function of blood?
Has 3 main functions :
- transport
- defence
- homeostasis
69
In terms of transport, how does the blood help?
Carries oxygen to the tissues and the lungs.
| Also, removes oxygen and waste products from the tissue.
70
How does haemoglobin contribute to the function of RBC?
Hb binds oxygen to itself and carries it from the lungs to the tissue.
71
Explain the structure of haemoglobin.
It is a protein tetramer which is made up of 4 polypeptide chains.
2 alpha globin chains
2 beta globin chains
There is a haem molecule which each globin chain carries.
This haem molecule holds a Fe3+ atom.
72
What is the condition which occurs when oxygen binds REVERSIBLY to iron?
POLYCYTHEMIA - this is when there are HIGH haemoglobin levels and therefore, blood clots // heart attacks occur.
73
What is bond formed when the oxygen binds REVERSIBLY to iron?
Coordination bond.
74
In terms of haemoglobin, what are the 2 types?
Oxyhaemoglobin
| Deoxyhaemoglobin
75
What is the difference between oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhaemoglobin?
Oxyhaemoglobin is FULLY SATURATED with 02 whereas with deoxyhaemoglobin is where all the 02 is lost.
In terms of colour, the more oxygen there is the BRIGHTER RED it is.
76
How are levels of haemoglobin measured?
Pulse oximetry is used.
| This measures the colour of haemoglobin and determines if the patient his hypoxic.
77
What is hypoxemia?
When the patient has LOW blood oxygen levels.
78
What is the normal reading for a pulse oximetry?
90% and above.
| The NORMAL RANGE is 95 - 100%
79
What do plasma proteins carry?
They carry substances which are POORLY soluble in water.
80
What substances are poorly soluble in water?
Lipids
| Lipid soluble hormones and vitamins.
81
What do plasma proteins carry?
Metal Ions (Ca2+ // Fe2+ // Cu2+)
82
What is another name for plasma proteins ?
Lipid Transporters alongside hormones // vitamins.
83
What is an example of a protein carrier?
Albumin.
84
Which vitamins are water soluble?
Vitamin B and C.
85
Which vitamins are lipid soluble?
Vitamin A and D and E and K.
86
How does defence contribute to the function of blood?
Immunity
| Clotting
87
In terms of WBC's - what are the 2 main types ?
Neutrophils
| Lymphocytes
88
In terms of neutrophils, what is the purpose of it?
Phagocytosis and kill bacteria alongside fungi.
| These are the main mediators of INNATE IMMUNITY.
89
In terms of lymphocytes, what is the purpose of it?
Produces antibodies and kills virus infected cells.
| These are the main mediators of ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY.
90
How does the plasma contribute to immune defence?
The plasma STIMULATES the humeral immune response.
| Releases immunoglobulins which act as antibodies against pathogens.
91
What are immunoglobulins?
These are glycoprotein molecules which are produced by plasma cells.
92
Why are immunoglobulins important?
These act as a critical part of the immune response by specifically recognising and binding to particular antigens.
93
What is the primary role of platelets?
Primary Haemostasis.
They recognise damage at blood vessel wall.
These form a platelet plug and thus, prevent bleeding.
94
What is the hemostatic plug?
During primary hemostasis, platelets CLUMP TOGETHER and form a plug around the site of injury.
During secondary hemostasis, the plug is reinforced by a protein mesh made of fibrin.
95
What is the role of fibrinogen?
It is a plasma protein which its converted to FIBRIN via the usage of thrombin. Thus, forms a blood clot.
96
What reinforces the platelet plug?
Fibrin clot.
97
How does the blood contribute to homeostasis?
Keeps the internal environment CONSTANT.
98
How does the plasma contribute to homestasis?
Helps to distribute heat throughout the body and MAINTAIN homeostasis.
Distrbutes an ACID - BASE balance.
99
What does the analysis of plasma determine?
Used to diagnose rheumatoid arthiritis and celiac disease.
100
What is celiac disease ?
Ingestion of glucose LEADS to damage in the small intestine.
101
How do you work out the haematocrit?
Volume of cells / total volume of blood.
