Plasma Flashcards
what are the four main fluid compartments in humans by size?
1) intracellular (within cells) -55% body water
2) interstitial fluid (found between cells)
3) plasma (liquid component of the blood)
4) transcellular fluid (remaining fluids e.g. eye, cerebrospinal fluid)
what is the role of interstitial fluid?
- carry oxygen and nutrients to cells
- removal of cellular wate products
where is the interstitial fluid drained from tissues?
becomes lymph
lymphatic vessels → secondary lymphoid organs e.g. lymph nodes
what is the main difference between plasma and interstitial fluid?
plasma contains more proteins
how much volume does the plasma account for in the blood?
55%
what is the buffy coat consisted of?
leukocytes, platelets (make up for less than 1%)
when the blood is centrifuged what are the layers (start from least dense - at the top)?
- plasma
- buffy coat
- red cells
how is serum generated?
1) let blood clot for several minutes (depletes the plasma of coagulation factors and trapping cells and platelets within the clot)
what are biomarkers?
key molecules that become elevated when blood is tested for a disease diagnosis
what is the difference between plasma and serum to obtain a clinical specimen?
plasma: quick to prepare
serum: cleaner sample (few cells) but longer to generate
what are the two major types of plasma proteins?
1) serum albumin
2) globulins
what are the sub groups of globulins?
- alpha1
- alpha2
- beta1
- beta2
- gamma globulin
where is serum albumin produced?
liver
what are the key functions of serum albumin?
1) transport of lipids, hormones and ions
2) maintaining osmotic pressure of plasma
how does serum albumin transport lipids?
in the form of fatty acids when they are released by lipolysis in adipose tissues
what is the role of alpha-1-globulins?
inhibition of proteases which helps protect tissues
e.g. problems with lack of A1AT loss of elasticity and respiratory problems in the lungs
what are the two types of of alpha-2 globulins?
- haptoglobin
- alpha2- macroglobulin
what is the role of haptoglobin?
binds to haemoglobin released form RBCs → complex which is removed by the spleen
what is the role of alpha2- macroglobulin?
broadly active protease inhibitor which can prevent fibrinolysis
what is the role of beta-globulins?
transferrin a beta-globulin is involved in the transportation of iron
what is the role of gamma globulins?
as they are antibodies and acute phase proteins and increase in gamma globulins cause an increased immune system activity
which is the most plentiful cation in the plasma
sodium (150 mol/L)
what are relative concentrations of sodium and pottassium intra and extracellular?
potassium: 150 in plasma vs 5 in blood cell
sodium: 5 vs 140
what is the use of extracellular chloride ions?
to avoid being torn apart by the differences in change the intracellular potassium ions are balanced out suing Cl-
how are the high concentrations of potassium ions inside the cell neutralised?
anions - e.g. proteins, phosphorylated proteins
why are the calcium ion levels much lower intracellular than extracellular?
association with signalling events as calcium channels open allowing influx from the exterior or ca2+ is released into the outside the cell
what is the use for intracellular magnesium ions?
cofactor
how many K+ and Na+ are exchanged int the Na+-K+ ATPase protein?
3 Na+ out of cell
2 K+ enter the cell
uses up ATP as this is an active process
what happens physically to the shape of cells when ATP levels become depleted?
cells have a tendency to become more spherical because of the inward movement of sodium ions and water
