Module 2 Lecture 2: Erythropoiesis & Blood Types

Question 1

What is erythropoiesis and where does it occur?

Answer 1

The process of generating RBCs and this takes place in bone marrow

Question 2

What is a unique feature of RBCs which is also a fallback for them?

Answer 2

1. No nucleus or organelles - only Hb molecules
   * Survives only 120 days (on average)

At erythroblast they lose nucleus and organelles

Question 3

When RBCs die what helps with removal of them?

Answer 3

Spleen; it has a immune function which helps clear them out

Question 4

What does the pluripotent stem cell turn into eventually?

Answer 4

Any type of blood cell (White, red)

Question 5

Explain how Erythropoiesis works?

Answer 5

• Only works when the kidneys sense that there has been reduced o2 levels.
• Kidney releases Erythropoietin
• Stimulates erythropoiesis by bone marrow
• RBCs carrying O2 increase
• Stops the intial stimulus

Question 6

How can one tell what blood type they are?

Answer 6

Based on the surface antigens of erythrocytes

Question 7

How can an immune response occur from an antigen existing on a cell?

Answer 7

An antigen acts as a marker which tells the body whether or not it’s a threat. The immune response acts accordingly to this.

Question 8

What are lymphocytes and how do they play a role when interacting with antigens?

Answer 8

Lymphocytes recognizes the antigen as a threat and produces antibodies (Only B lymphocytes)

These antibodies can be used in many ways (i.e. phagocytosis, macrophage, macropinocytosis)

Question 9

What are naturally occuring antibodies?

Answer 9

Antibodies that are made at 6 months of age in the plasma

Made from the antigens that are on the surface of food (similar antigens on food that are on blood surface); antibodies are naturally produced this way from a young age without having to be exposed to blood transfusions to make the antibodies

Question 10

What is the fisher-race system?

Answer 10

Refers to the 50 blood-group antigens with 5 primary antigen groups (D,C,E,c,e)

no lowercase D (lowercase d sometimes denotes absence of antigen)

Question 11

Why is the D antigen important?

Answer 11

Determines if you are Rhesus positive (Rh+ or negative (Rh-)

Rh factor refers to D antigen

D antigen is most commonly found in the population; most antigenic

Question 12

How are antibdodies produced for Rh- blood types?

Answer 12

Only through blood tranfusion (when Rh- people get exposed to Rh+ blood)

No naturally occuring antibodies (from food antigens) develop against Rh factor (D antigen)