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YR2: MCD Haematology > Physiology of Blood Cells and Haematological Terminology > Flashcards

Physiology of Blood Cells and Haematological Terminology Flashcards

1
Q

What are all blood cells ultimate derived from?

A

Multipotent haematopoietic stem cells

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2
Q

What 2 lineages can multipoint stem cells give rise to?

A

Lymphoid stem cells

Myeloid stem cells

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3
Q

What 3 cells are derived from the multipotent myeloid precursor?

A

Megakaryocytes
Granulocyte-Monocyte
Erythroid

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4
Q

What 3 cells are derived from the multipotent lymphoid precursor?

A

T cells
B cells
NK cells

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5
Q

What are 2 common features of blasts?

A

Large nucleus

Small amount of cytoplasm

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6
Q

How does the colour of red cells change as they mature?

A

Immature= more blue/purple

As they mature they become pinker

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7
Q

Which cells produce EPO? What can trigger the production of EPO?

A

EPO is mainly produced in the kidneys by juxtatubular interstitial cells
Produced to a lesser extent by the liver
EPO production is stimulated by hypoxia

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8
Q

What is the life span of a red blood cell?

A

120 days

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9
Q

What feature allows red blood cells to wriggle through small holes in the capillaries in the spleen?

A

Lack a nucleus
Have an extensive cytoskeleton so are very flexible + can fit through small gaps
On ageing becomes less flexible + less able to pass through capillaries into sinuses in the spleen
Thus are more likely to be retained in the spleen + phagocytosed

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10
Q

Define anisocytosis and poikilocytosis

A 
Anisocytosis = red cells show more variation in SIZE than is normal 
Poikilocytosis = red cells show more variation in SHAPE than is normal
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11
Q

What can be used as a reference in a blood film to determine whether the red blood cells are microcytic or macrocytic?

A

Lymphocytes are generally all the same size

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12
Q

Define hypochromia. What does it result from and what is it often seen in conjunction with?

A

Red cells have a larger area of central pallor than normal
(normal central pallor covers ~1/3 of red cell diameter)
Results from a lower Hb content + concentration + a flatter cell
Hypochromia + microcytosis tend to go together

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13
Q

Define hyperchromia. What can this result from?

A

Red cells lack central pallor.

Can occur because they are thicker than normal or because their shape is abnormal

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14
Q

State 2 important types of hyperchromatic cells.

A

Spherocytes

Irregularly Contracted Cells

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15
Q

What is responsible for the round shape of the spherocytes in spherocytosis?

A

Loss of cell membrane that is not accompanied by an equivalent loss of cytoplasm
Cell is forced to “round up”

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16
Q

State a cause of spherocytosis.

A

Hereditary spherocytosis

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17
Q

What usually causes the formation of irregularly contracted cells?

A

Oxidant damage to the cell membrane + Hb

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18
Q

Define polychromasia.

A

An increased blue tinge to the cytoplasm of a cell

Indicates that the red cell is young.

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19
Q

What can reticulocytes be stained with?

A

Methylene blue.

Precipitates as a network (reticulum)

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20
Q

State 6 different types of poikilocytosis.

A 
Spherocytes  
Elliptocytes 
Fragments 
Irregularly contracted cells  
Target cells  
Sickle cells
21
Q

What are target cells? State 4 causes of target cells in the blood film.

A

Have an accumulation of Hb in the middle of the central pallor
Occur in obstructive jaundice, hyposplenism, liver disease, haemoglobinopathies

22
Q

Describe elliptocytes. State 2 causes of eliptocytosis.

A

Elliptical in shape
Hereditary eliptocytosis
Iron deficiency (also hypochromic)

23
Q

What biochemical phenomenon causes the sickling of red blood cells?

A

Polymerisation of haemoglobin S when present in a high concentration

24
Q

What is another name for fragments? What do fragments indicate?

A

Schistocytes

Indicate a red cell has fragmented

25
Q

State 2 different ways in which red blood cells can clump together and describe why they happen.

A

Rouleaux: like a stack of coins – caused by a change in plasma proteins pushing the red cells together, common in infection/ inflammation
Agglutinates: irregular clumps – caused by antibodies on the cell surface making the cells stick together

26
Q

What is a Howell-Jolly Body and what is it usually caused by?

A

A nuclear remnant in the red cells

Commenest cause= a lack of splenic function (spleen should remove these tiny bits of nuclear material)

27
Q

Which cytokines are important in the differentiation of myeloblasts to granulocytes and monocytes?

A

G-CSF
M-CSF
GM-CSF
Interleukins

28
Q

How long do neutrophils survive for in the circulation?

A

7-10 hours

29
Q

What is the main role of eosinophils?

A

Defence against Parasitic infections

30
Q

Describe the shape of the nucleus of an eosinophil.

A

Eosinophils have a bilobed nucleus

31
Q

What is the main role of basophils?

A

Involved in allergic response

32
Q

Describe the appearance of basophils.

A

Many dark blue dots in the cytoplasm (granules)

Often, so many that you can’t see the nucleus

33
Q

Describe the appearance of monocytes.

A

Kidney bean shaped nucleus

Large

34
Q

Other than phagocytosis and scavenging, state a role of macrophages

A

Store + release iron

35
Q

How long do platelets survive for in the circulation?

A

10 days

36
Q

What term is used to describe having too many and too few white blood cells?

A

Excess: Leucocytosis
Deficient: Leucopenia

37
Q

What term is used to describe having too many and too few platelets?

A

Excess: Thrombocytosis
Deficient: Thrombocytopenia

38
Q

Describe the appearance of an atypical lymphocyte. What can cause these to appear in a blood film?

A

Large nucleus + a large amount of faint cytoplasm

Often seen in glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis)

39
Q

What is ‘left shift’?

A

An increase in no. of non-segmented neutrophils or that there are a lot of neutrophil precursors in the blood
E.g. presence of many neutrophils with band form nuclei

40
Q

What is toxic granulation? What can cause it?

A

Heavy granulation of neutrophils
Results from infection, inflammation + tissue necrosis
A feature of normal pregnancy

41
Q

What is hypersegmentation of neutrophils? What can cause it?

A

An increase in the average number of neutrophil lobes or segments (>6)
Results from a lack of Vitamin B12 or folic acid

42
Q

What are the 2 essential characteristics of stem cells?

A

Ability to self renew

Ability to produce mature progeny

43
Q

What is the main function of a neutrophil?

A

Defence against infection- phagocytoses + kills micro-organisms

44
Q

What are the main roles of platelets?

A

Role in primary haemostasis

Contribute phospholipid, which promotes blood coagulation

45
Q

Describe the life of lymphocytes

A

Recirculate to lymph nodes + other tissues + back into blood stream
Life span very variable

46
Q

List 3 types of macrocyte

A

Round macrocytes
Oval macrocytes (common in B12 + folic acid deficiency)
Polychromatic macrocytes

47
Q

Define microcytic, normocytic and macrocytic

A

Micro: Red cells smaller than normal or an anaemia with small red cells
Normo: Red cells of normal size or an anaemia with normal sized red cells
Macro: Red cells larger than normal or an anaemia with large red cells

48
Q

What term is used to describe having too many and too few neutrophils?

A

Excess: Neutrophilia
Deficient: Neutropenia

49
Q

What term is used to describe having too many and too few lymphocytes?

A

Excess: Lymphocytosis
Deficient: Lymphopenia

YR2: MCD Haematology (11 decks)

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