Plasma Flashcards
What is plasma?
Liquid component of blood that makes up 55% of whole blood.
How is plasma prepared?
Blood is collected, mixed with an anticoagulant and then centrifuged.
What is serum?
Plasma without the clotting factors.
Serum = plasma - fibrinogen
How is serum prepared?
Blood is left to clot and then centrifuged.
What do serum tubes contain?
Silica coating to induce clotting. Gel to form physical barrier between serum and red blood cells.
Serum vs plasma?
Serum better for longer storage. Serum takes longer to prepare.
Functions of plasma?
Carries clotting factors and immune system molecules (antibodies and complement proteins). Maintains osmotic pressure. Carries products of metabolism, hormones and waste products. Carries endocrine hormones.
What are the two major types of plasma protein?
Serum albumin and globulins.
What does albumin do?
Transports lipids, hormones and ions. Maintains osmotic pressure of plasma. Transports fatty acids released from adipocytes so they can be used in cells in the process of beta oxidation.
Where is alpha-1 antitrypsin produced?
Liver.
What does alpha-1 antitrypsin do?
Inhibits proteases, protects tissues from enzymes.
What can a deficiency in alpha-1 antitrypsin do?
Degration of lung tissue leads to loss in elasticity. This is because neutrophil elastase isn’t heavily inhibited due to the deficiency.
What are haptoglobin and alpha 2 macroglobulin examples of?
Alpha-2 globulins.
Function of haptoglobin?
Binds to haemoglobin released from erythrocytes, haptoglobin-haemoglobin complex is removed by the spleen.
What disease is haptoglobin used as diagnostic marker?
Haemolytic anaemia.
What does alpha 2 macroglobulin do?
Protease inhibitor that can inactivate fibrinolysis.
What is transferrin an example of?
Beta globulin.
What does transferrin do?
Transports dietary iron and iron released from iron stores in body.
Complement proteins C3 and C4 are examples of?
Beta globulins.
Immunoglobulins and c reative protein are examples of?
Gamma globulins.
The most common ion in plasma?
Sodium ion.
Most common ion in cells?
Potassium ion.
What is calcium important for?
Cell signalling.
What is magnesium important for?
Cofactor for enzymes.
What can we use plasma for?
Biomarkers, passive immunotherapy.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin G is used for what?
Treatment of auto immune disorders by clearing immune complexes. Protects against most of the common pathogens
How is hyperimmune globulin created?
Donors are screened for high levels of IgG against a particular pathogen by using ELISA. The IgG fraction is isolated from the plasma of these donors and concentrated.
