Physiology Flashcards
what is the blood volume in men vs. women?
5 liters in woman and 5.5 liters in men
specific gravity of different blood components
whole blood is 1.060, for
plasma 1.030 and for blood cells 1.090
blood and plasma viscosity
The blood viscosity: 5 times
that of water, while viscosity
of plasma is 2 times that of
water
what are the components of blood?
55% - plasma
45% - cellular components - RBCs, WBCs and platelets (<1%)
functions of blood
- Blood maintains internal environment constant (i.e.
Homeostasis) as water, pH, electrolytes concentration, temperature - Transport function:
O2 and CO2 - respiratory function
From GIT to liver - nutritive function
To kidneys - excretory function
Hormone transport - Hemostatic function - blood clot formation to close injury and prevent blood loss
- Immunologic function - phagocytosis
WBCs attack foreign bodies
Antibody formation against invading organisms - Body temperature regulation
plasma is a heat distributor
Describe plasma
➢ It is the fluid portion of blood.
➢ Volume: 3,500 ml in a 70 Kg man
(about 5% of body weight).
➢ Color: Yellow.
➢ Specific gravity: 1.030
➢ pH: 7.4
➢ Viscosity: 2 times that of water.
➢ Osmotic pressure:
Crystalloid OP=
5000mmHg.
Colloid OP (proteins) = 25
mmHg.
Plasma composition
1- water: 90% of the plasma - body heat regulation and transport medium
2- plasma proteins; 6-8 % of plasma
3- inorganic constituents:1% as (Na+, Cl, HCO3, K+, Ca2+, Mg+ and others).
Remaining 2%:
4-Nutrients e.g. glucose, amino acids, lipids and
vitamins.
5-Dissolved gases (O2 and CO2)
6-Hormones.
7-Waste products e.g. creatinine, bilirubin and
nitrogenous substances as urea
what is serum?
It is the fluid remaining after removal of blood clots
Serum is the plasma minus fibrinogen and
clotting factors II, V and VIII
describe plasma proteins
-Total plasma proteins 6-8 g/dl
- All proteins are synthesized in liver (4 gm/h)
except γ globulins in B lymphocytes
- include albumin, globulin, fibrinogen, prothrombin, hormones
How is the concentration of plasma proteins kept constant?
Rate of breakdown = rate of formation
where are y globulins produced?
Lymphocytes
Describe Albumin
concentration: 4-4.5 gm/dl
size: Very small (69,000 Da)
function: Osmotic pressure
Describe Globulin
concentration: 2.5 gm/dl
types: α1, α2,β1,β2 and γ globulins
size: large
functions: viscosity and
immunity
Describe fibrinogen
concentration: 0.3 gm/dl
size: large (400,000Da)
function: viscosity and clotting factor
what is prothrombin?
clotting factor
how do plasma proteins exert osmotic pressure?
-Water moves between plasma and
interstitial fluid
-Hydrostatic forces= push water out of vessel
-Osmosis= pull water in vessel
Osmosis is made by Nacl and plasma proteins
2-Nacl is present equally on both sides, so it does not affect water
movement
3-Plasma proteins due to their relatively large
molecular size do not diffuse through the capillary wall.
So, plasma proteins exert osmotic pressure
called the colloid osmotic pressure or the
effective osmotic pressure
- Its value is 25mmHg
describe effective osmotic pressure
Caused mainly by albumin
Value: 25 mmHg
Importance: absorbing force that pulls water into the blood vessel, to maintain blood volume and interstitial fluid volume constant
Absorption vs. Filtration
Absorption
- Venous end
-Hydrostatic pressure is 15mmg
- Osmotic pressure is 25mmg
Filtration
- Arterial end
Hydrostatic pressure is 35mmg
- Osmotic pressure is 25mmg
Hydrostatic pressure=filtering force osmotic pressure=absorbing force
what are the causes of hypoproteinemia?
-Starvation - decrease in plasma proteins
-Malabsorption syndrome
-Liver disease - decreased hepatic protein synthesis
-Nephrosis - large amounts of albumin lost in urine
-Congenital absence of plasma protein fraction
what are the effects of hypoprotenemia?
No plasma proteins
Decreased fluid absorption
Increased tissue filtration
Accumulation of fluid
in abdomen= Ascites
Accumulation of fluid
in lower limb=lower
limb oedema
what is the normal albumin: globulin ratio?
1.2-1.6
when does a/g ratio decrease
▪ In liver disease due to decreased synthesis.
▪ In kidney disease due to increased loss of albumin in urine.
▪ In infections as in typhoid and T.B due to increased synthesis of γ globulin
when does a/g ratio increase
Hypogammaglobulinemia.
▪ Acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Importance of viscosity and main plasma protein involved
Viscosity determines
peripheral resistance and
affect blood pressure
-Large plasma proteins as
fibrinogen shares by 40%
in viscosity
what are the functions of plasma proteins?
- production of effective osmotic pressure - by their Colloidal osmotic pressure - 25 mmHg
- blood viscosity - Fibrinogen helps maintain peripheral resistance and therefore diastolic blood pressure
- RBCs are more important for blood viscosity
3- Clotting factor: as fibrinogen, prothrombin
4- Defense as: gamma globulin
5-Buffering function:15% of the buffering capacity of the blood.
6- Carrier: carry lipophilic substances as some
hormones, metals as iron and calcium and other molecules (fatty acids, amino acids..)
7- carry carbon dioxide
8-Protein reserve: Reserve proteins are used by the body in cases of fasting or decreased food intake.
9- Maintain capillary permeability - close the pores of capillaries
how do plasma proteins carry CO2?
Plasma proteins form carbamino compounds with CO2
CO2 (10%) + amino group (NH2) of plasma proteins
»carbamino compounds»_space; release CO2 to be expired (CO2 + proteins in lung capillaries)
what are the Physiological properties of RBCs? (source, lifespan, abundance)
Formed in the bone marrow
Lifespan 120 days
RBCs are the most abundant cells
in the blood
➢ 4-5 million/mm3 in females
5-6 million/mm3 in males
-Higher in male and newly born
what are the contents of rbc cytoplasm?
A-60% water
b- chief cation: k+, chief anion: cl
c- 34% hemoglobin:
D-The average normal hemoglobin
concentration in blood is 15 gm/dl:
15-17 g/dL in men and
13-15 g/dL in women, all of it in red
cells
Functions of RBCs membrane
1- Concave to increase surface area available for gas exchange and diffusion
2- Maintain the shape and
flexibility of the
cell membrane:
_The integral proteins
Band 3 (the negative ion
exchanger)
_The linker protein ankyrin
_The cytoskeleton protein spectrin
==Genetic mutations in these proteins leads to hereditary spherocytosis==
3-Plasticity
The ability of the red blood
cells (8 microns) to change their shape to cross through the narrow capillaries (3 microns)
4- Semipermeability
allows anions to pass
easily in or out of the RBC,
but not cations.
- It contains Na-K ATPase
pump to maintain cell
volume
5-Blood grouping
Conatins agglutinogens to determine blood groups
6-Keep Hemoglobin (Hb) inside RBCs and prevents loss in urine
Why it is important to keep Hemoglobin (Hb) inside RBCs?
A) To avoid increase in:
➢ Blood viscosity, which may increase work of the
heart
➢ Osmotic pressure, which interfere with filtration at capillaries
B) To avoid Hb loss in urine where it will react with HCL, forming acid haematin that block renal tubules leading to renal failure
What is Hemoglobin?
The red, oxygen carrying pigment in human red blood cells. It is composed of four polypeptide chains, each with a heme moiety attached to it.
Hemoglobin functions
➢ Hemoglobin binds O2
to form oxyhemoglobin
O2 attaches to the Fe2+ in the heme leading to hemoglobin oxygenation (not oxidation), iron remains in the ferrous state.
Each Hb molecule carry 4 O2 molecules
1 gm of blood Hb carry 1.33 ml of oxygen15 gm Hb in 100 ml blood,
Each 100 ml blood can carry 15 X 1.33 = 19.95ml which is the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.
➢Hemoglobin binds CO2
to form carbaminohemoglobin
CO2 binds to amino group
of hemoglobin
➢Hemoglobin acts as a
buffer in the blood as it
contains many amino acids
eg histidine
Types of hemoglobin in normal adults
HbA - 98% a2,B2
HbF - ~1% a2,y2
HbA2 - <3.5%
fetal HB
➢ The fetus has
HbF (α2 y2)
➢ Fetal Hb is replaced by adult hemoglobin
2-3 months after birth.
It has a higher oxygen affinity than adult Hb which facilitates O2 transport across the placenta
what are the Requirements for erythropoiesis?
1-Normal functioning bone marrow: Bone marrow is
the site where erythropoiesis takes place.
2-Normal functioning kidneys: Kidneys secrete 85%
of erythropoietin hormone.
3-Normal functioning liver: Liver stores iron and
vitamin B12.
It also synthesizes the globin part of hemoglobin and secretes 10 % of erythropoietin.
4-Hormones: Androgens, thyroxine and glucocorticoids stimulate erythropoiesis, while estrogen inhibits it
5-Dietary substances
Proteins: Proteins of high biological value (especially
animal proteins) to build up the globin part of Hb.
Iron: It is the principle constituent of Hb molecule.
Vitamin B12 and folic acid: Vitamin B12 and Folic acid are called “Maturation factors” as they are essential for normal formation of DNA and cell division during red
blood cell maturation.
Deficiency of vitamin B12 and Folic acid results in
megaloblastic or macrocytic anemia.
Other trace elements as Copper and cobalt: They are
required as cofactors for the formation of Hb
Tissue oxygenation is the most important regulator
of erythropoiesis
What is Erythropoietin?
It is a glycoprotein that comes from:
85-90% : kidneys
10-15% : liver
Factors stimulating erythropoietin secretion:
1) Hypoxia
2) Hormones: androgens (testosterone), catecholamines,
corticosteroids, growth hormone, and thyroxin increase erythropoietin secretion
3) Alkalosis as in high altitudes
correlation between renal failure and anemia
➢ Renal failure is associated with anemia that can
be treated only by erythropoietin.
➢ In aplastic anemia the stem cells do not respond
to erythropoietin.
Iron homeostasis
1-Iron intake is 15-20 mg%
➢ Absorbed iron (3-6%of the intake)
➢ iron lost by cells sloughing
2-Iron homeostasis depends on control of iron absorption from the intestine (Duodenum). Iron losses
are generally unregulated.
Absorption is also increased by increasing demand
-Females need more iron absorption because of the periodically loss of iron in
menstrual blood flow
- pregnancy, lactation, growing children and blood loss
Iron functions in the body
hemoglobin synthesis
myoglobin synthesis
cytochrome oxidase, peroxidase and catalase
Iron distribution in the body
hemoglobin - 65%
stored iron (ferritin and hemosiderin) - 15-30%
myoglobin - 4%
cytochrome oxidase, peroxidase and catalase - 1%
In plasma (transferrin) - 0.1%
Describe Iron absorption in duodenum
1- Heme absorption:
Through the enterocyte Heme carrier protein (HCP-1)
Iron is released from heme by Heme oxygenase enzyme
2- Non- Heme absorption:
Diet iron is ferric
Ferric is reduced by ferric reductase helped by HCL and vitamin C to ferrous iron
Ferrous iron is transported into the enterocyte with a proton via a divalent metal
transporter (DMT-1).
Fe2+ is transported out of the enterocyte by the basolateral membrane protein (ferroportin)
what is hepcidin?
Hepcidin is a hormone released by the liver when iron levels are high.
It inhibits ferroportin transporter
Its deficiency causes tissue iron overload
Factors affecting iron absorption
Factors that increase iron absorption:
Gastric acidity and vitamin C aid iron reduction
Increased erythropoietic activity e.g. bleeding, hemolysis, high altitude.
Increased demand in Infancy and adolescence
Factors that decrease iron absorption:
Phytic acid, oxalates and phosphates form
insoluble salts
Iron overload
Calcium in dairy food
absorption of different types of iron
➢Heme iron is absorbed better than inorganic iron.
➢Ferrous iron is absorbed better than ferric iron
Describe iron transport
Iron is transported as transferrin, normally 35% saturated.
- Fe2+ is changed to Fe3+ and bound to apotransferrin forming transferrin
- Transferrin is a glycoprotein synthesized in the liver.
-Binds to receptors in cell membrane of erythroblasts in the bone marrow. - Ingested by endocytosis and iron is delivered to the mitochondria where heme is synthesized.
Describe iron storage
Iron is stored mostly in hepatocytes and to a lesser extent the reticuloendothelial cells of the bone marrow and skeletal muscle cells.
Ferritin is the predominant storage form. It keeps iron in a soluble and non-toxic form. It is present in most cells especially intestinal mucosa, liver, spleen and bone marrow.
Excess iron is stored as hemosiderin - iron deposition adjacent to ferritin spheres
Ferritin vs. Hemosiderin
Ferritin
-Iron binds apoferritin to form ferritin
-It is water soluble
-It represents 2/3 of stored iron
-If plasma iron is decreased, iron in ferritin is transported easily to replenish ferritin in plasma
-It is easily mobilized for Hb synthesis
Hemosiderin
-It is water insoluble
-It represents 1/3 of stored iron
-Excess hemosiderin can be found in iron overload due to frequent blood cell destruction and trnasfusions
effects of iron deficiency
Can result in microcytic hypochromic anemia due to decreased hemoglobin synthesis and
RBC size.
describe vitamin B12 in terms of function, sources, minimum requirement and absorption
Both vitamin B12 and folic acid are essential for normal formation of DNA and hence for nuclear maturation.
- VB12 is important in myelin sheath formation
Vitamin B12 is absent from plant sources, formed exclusively by microorganisms
The minimum requirement is 1-3
microgram/day
- Liver and yeast are good sources
Absorbed in terminal ileum by
endocytosis
effects of Vitamin B12 deficiency
Malabsorption (lack of the intrinsic factor) due to
atrophy of gastric mucosa, achlorhydria, or after total
gastrectomy.
Vegetarian peopleare most likely to be infected. If plants are contaminated with
microorganisms, supply of B12 will be sufficient.
Deficiency Leads to a condition called pernicious anemia or megaloblastic anemia (macrocytic anemia).
This occurs due to Impaired DNA synthesis and prevention of cell division with the accumulation ofimmature erythrocytes in the circulation.
Neurological disorders are due to progressive
demyelination of nervous tissue.
describe pernicious/ megaloblastic anemia
Large immature
erythrocytes
Define polycythemia
Definition: Polycythemia, or erythrocytosis, refers to an increase in the RBC mass, usually with a corresponding increase in hemoglobin level.
what are the effects of polycythemia
Increase in RBCs number → increase in blood viscosity
→ sluggish blood flow → increased Work load on
the heart→ increase peripheral resistance → high
blood pressure
types of polycythemia
Primary polycythemia (Polycythemia rubra vera):
It is considered as a neoplastic disease
B. Secondary polycythemia:
Hypoxia: as in high altitudes, cyanotic congenital
heart disease and chronic pulmonary disease.
Renal disease: due to secretion of an erythropoietin-like substance.
define anemia
Definition of anemia
It is a decrease or deficiency of RBCs number or
decrease in Hb concentration or decrease in both
RBCs and Hb. in a unit volume of blood in the
presence of a low or normal total blood volume
It can be caused either by too rapid loss or too slow
production of RBCs.
classify different types of anemia according to cause
1-Aplastic anemia
-Due to Bone marrow failure
-causes: X-ray,chloramphenicol,
chemotherapy, idiopathic (primary)
-Aplastic anemia results in Pancytopenia
2-Deficiency anemia:
A) Iron deficiency
-Due to Less Hb formation -Deficient iron intake
- Causes: Excess demand,
puberty, pregnancy
-Poor iron absorption
-> chronic bleeding
Iron deficiency results in Microcytic hypochromic anemia
B) Vitamin B12 deficiency
-Due to Erythroblast failure to proliferate or mature into RBCs
-Causes: Malabsorption, Atrophic gastritis
- Vitamin B12 deficiency results in Pernicious anemia,
Macrocytic hyperchromic anemia
+ Neurological defects
C- Folic acid deficiency
-Due to Erythroblast failure to
proliferate or mature
into RBCs
-Cause:Nutritional defect
-Folic acid deficiency results in Macrocytic hyperchromic anemia
3- Renal anemia
-due to insufficient RBCs
production
- cause: defect in erythropoeitin
- results in : Normocytic normochromic anemia
Microcytic hypochromic
anemia vs. Macrocytic hyperchromic anemia
(megaloblastic anemia)
Microcytic hypochromic
anemia:
Small size RBCs
Less Hb
Macrocytic hyperchromic anemia (megaloblastic anemia)
Large size, immature odd
shaped, fragile RBCs
Severe number reduction
Haemolytic anemia: types and causes
corpuscular:
Hereditary
spherocytosis
Sickle cell anemia
Thalassemia
Glucose 6 p
dehydrogenase
deficiency
extracorpuscular:
Incompatible blood
transfusion
Rh incompatability
Malaria infection
Sulfonamide
Snake venum
Lead
spectrin deficiency results in…
Spherocytes
That rupture
easily
(Haemolysis)
Describe hereditary spherocytosis
Genetic defect in RBCs membrane proteins
RBCs are spherocytic and hemolyze more readily than normal cells
Describe Sickle cell disease and Hb A vs. Hb S
Inherited genetic defect in Hb
formation
Hb A: 4 polypeptide chains:2
alpha, 2 beta
Hb S: Normal glutamic acid aa
in position 6 on the chain is substituted by Valine aa.
Oxygenated: Soluble
Deoxygenated: insoluble, precipitates into long crystals leading to sickled cells which are fragile and liable to hemolysis
Describe Dactylitis
Severe pain that affects the bones of the hands, the
feet, or both.
It’s often the first symptom of sickle cell disease in
babies.
Dactylitis is caused by blocked blood circulation.
Symptoms include extreme pain and tenderness, usually with swelling.
Describe glucose 6 phosphate
Glucose 6 phosphate enzyme is an enzyme that :
➢ Is coded by gene on X chromosome
➢ helps in producing the antioxidants