MEH - Haemopoiesis Flashcards
Where are most red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells produced?
Bone marrow
Where is bone marrow mainly distributed in adulthood?
Pelvis, sternum, skull, ribs, vertebrae
How are blood cells produced?
A multipotential haematopoietic stem cell becomes either a common myeloid progenitor or a common lymphoid progenitor.
The lymphoid progenitors form B and T lymphocytes, and the myeloid progenitors form thrombocytes, monocytes, basophils, neutrophils and eosinophils
What cells are included in the reticuloendothelial system (RES)?
Monocytes, macrophages, kupffer cells, tissue histiocytes, microglial cells in CNS
What do RES cells in the spleen dispose of?
Damaged or old red blood cells
What are the functions of red blood cells?
Primary - to deliver oxygen to the tissues
- carry haemoglobin
- maintain haemoglobin in its reduced (ferrous) state
- generate energy (ATP)
- maintain osmotic equilibrium
Do red blood cells have a cell membrane?
Yes, a lipid bilayer. They also have membrane proteins inserted into it
At what age does the switch from foetal to adult haemoglobin occur?
Around 3-6 months of age
What is the function of the globin chains?
- protect haem molecule from oxidation
- confer solubility
- permits variation in oxygen affinity
What shape is an oxygen dissociation curve?
Sigmoidal
Why do people with too many red blood cells get jaundiced?
Excess of red blood cell destruction causes an excess of bilirubin formation which leads to jaundice
What is the function of the RES?
Cells identify and mount an appropriate immune response to foreign antigens
What are the main organs of the RES?
Spleen and liver
What is a peripheral blood count of haemoglobin used to measure with regards to red blood cells?
Their effectiveness. Normal range is 130-180 g/L (or 115-165 g/L for females)
What is a red blood count used to measure with regards to red blood cells?
How many red blood cells are present. Normal range is 4.5-6.5 x 10^12/L (3.9-5.6 in women)
What is a peripheral blood count of mean cell volume used to measure with regards to red blood cells?
How large the cells are. Normal range is 80-100 fL
How large are red blood cells?
8 micrometres diameter, and they can fit through the capillaries with a diameter of 3.5 micrometres
True or false - haemoglobin exists in three configurations?
False - it exists in two (oxyhaemoglobin/relaxed, and deoxyhaemoglobin/tight)