Plasma

Question 1

what are the four main fluid compartments in humans by size?

Answer 1

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)

Question 2

what is the role of interstitial fluid?

Answer 2

• carry oxygen and nutrients to cells

- removal of cellular wate products

Question 3

where is the interstitial fluid drained from tissues?

Answer 3

becomes lymph

lymphatic vessels → secondary lymphoid organs e.g. lymph nodes

Question 4

what is the main difference between plasma and interstitial fluid?

Answer 4

plasma contains more proteins

Question 5

how much volume does the plasma account for in the blood?

Answer 5

55%

Question 6

what is the buffy coat consisted of?

Answer 6

leukocytes, platelets (make up for less than 1%)

Question 7

when the blood is centrifuged what are the layers (start from least dense - at the top)?

Answer 7

1. plasma
2. buffy coat
3. red cells

Question 8

how is serum generated?

Answer 8

1) let blood clot for several minutes (depletes the plasma of coagulation factors and trapping cells and platelets within the clot)

Question 9

what are biomarkers?

Answer 9

key molecules that become elevated when blood is tested for a disease diagnosis

Question 10

what is the difference between plasma and serum to obtain a clinical specimen?

Answer 10

plasma: quick to prepare
serum: cleaner sample (few cells) but longer to generate

Question 11

what are the two major types of plasma proteins?

Answer 11

1) serum albumin

2) globulins

Question 12

what are the sub groups of globulins?

Answer 12

• alpha1
• alpha2
• beta1
• beta2
• gamma globulin

Question 13

where is serum albumin produced?

Answer 13

liver

Question 14

what are the key functions of serum albumin?

Answer 14

1) transport of lipids, hormones and ions

2) maintaining osmotic pressure of plasma

Question 15

how does serum albumin transport lipids?

Answer 15

in the form of fatty acids when they are released by lipolysis in adipose tissues

Question 16

what is the role of alpha-1-globulins?

Answer 16

inhibition of proteases which helps protect tissues

e.g. problems with lack of A1AT loss of elasticity and respiratory problems in the lungs

Question 17

what are the two types of of alpha-2 globulins?

Answer 17

• haptoglobin

- alpha2- macroglobulin

Question 18

what is the role of haptoglobin?

Answer 18

binds to haemoglobin released form RBCs → complex which is removed by the spleen

Question 19

what is the role of alpha2- macroglobulin?

Answer 19

broadly active protease inhibitor which can prevent fibrinolysis

Question 20

what is the role of beta-globulins?

Answer 20

transferrin a beta-globulin is involved in the transportation of iron

Question 21

what is the role of gamma globulins?

Answer 21

as they are antibodies and acute phase proteins and increase in gamma globulins cause an increased immune system activity

Question 22

which is the most plentiful cation in the plasma

Answer 22

sodium (150 mol/L)

Question 23

what are relative concentrations of sodium and pottassium intra and extracellular?

Answer 23

potassium: 150 in plasma vs 5 in blood cell
sodium: 5 vs 140

Question 24

what is the use of extracellular chloride ions?

Answer 24

to avoid being torn apart by the differences in change the intracellular potassium ions are balanced out suing Cl-

Question 25

how are the high concentrations of potassium ions inside the cell neutralised?

Answer 25

anions - e.g. proteins, phosphorylated proteins

Question 26

why are the calcium ion levels much lower intracellular than extracellular?

Answer 26

association with signalling events as calcium channels open allowing influx from the exterior or ca2+ is released into the outside the cell

Question 27

what is the use for intracellular magnesium ions?

Answer 27

cofactor

Question 28

how many K+ and Na+ are exchanged int the Na+-K+ ATPase protein?

Answer 28

3 Na+ out of cell
2 K+ enter the cell

uses up ATP as this is an active process

Question 29

what happens physically to the shape of cells when ATP levels become depleted?

Answer 29

cells have a tendency to become more spherical because of the inward movement of sodium ions and water