Lecture 8 - Haematology I (Erythrocytes)

Question 1

What does the multipotential haematopoietic stem cell first develop into in erythropoiesis?

Answer 1

Common myeloid progenitor

Question 2

What 5 things are required for erythropoiesis?

Answer 2

Erythropoietin
Vitamin B12 + B9 (folic acid)
Iron
Amino Acids
Intrinsic Factor

Question 3

Where in the body does erythropoiesis occur in foetus, infant and adult?

Answer 3

Foetus: initially yolk sac, then liver + spleen, then bone marrow
Infant: in all bone marrow
Adult: in only red bone marrow

Question 4

What happens to haemoglobin in the recycling of erythrocytes?

Answer 4

It is broken down into haem and globin. Globin -> amino acids
Haem -> Iron and Bilirubin

Question 5

What happens to iron when haem is broken down into Iron and Bilirubin?

Answer 5

Iron either goes back to bone marrow (for erythropoiesis again) or binds with its transport protein (transferrin) to be stored in the liver (as ferritin) or spleen. Eventually, always used in erythropoiesis again.

Question 6

4 main causes of hypoxia?

Answer 6

Increase in exercise, high altitude, smoking, bleeding

Question 7

What is the approximate average Haemoglobin level for adults?

Answer 7

15 g/dL

Question 8

What are the 3 main forms of anaemia?

Answer 8

Iron deficiency, megaloblastic and sickle cell

Question 9

3 main symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anaemia

Answer 9

Hypochromic Red Blood Cells (paler than usual)
Microcytic RBCs (smaller than usual)
Decreased mean cell volume

Question 10

Main causes of Iron Deficiency Anaemia

Answer 10

Pregnancy
Bleeding from GI Tract (ulcer, malignancy)
Malabsorption
Malnutrition
Menorrhagia

Question 11

Causes of Megaloblastic Anaemia

Answer 11

Either Vitamin B12 or Folate deficiency

Question 12

Symptoms of Megaloblastic Anaemia

Answer 12

Macrocytic RBCs (larger than usual)
Reduced Haemoglobin Concentration
Hypersegmented Neutrophil (more lobes than usual)

Question 13

Define ‘Pernicious Anaemia’

Answer 13

A specific type of anaemia related to Vitamin B12 deficiency

Question 14

Define Sickle Cell Anaemia + Effect(s)

Answer 14

A hereditary disease - abnormal (sickle) haemoglobin causes sickle-shaped cells which sometimes get stuck in blood vessels

Question 15

(All we need to know about) Thalassaemia?

Answer 15

Hereditary disease - abnormal haemoglobin production
Alpha and Beta Thalassaemia exist