Plasma Flashcards
What are the fluid compartments?
Intracellular
Extracellular
Blood plasma
Transcellular fluid
which compartment comprises the majority of fluid?
Intracellular compartment
What is the primary component of extracellular fluid?
Interstitial fluid
What is the purpose of interstitial fluid?
Concerns the transport of oxygen and nutrients to cells, in addition to assisting with the removal of cellular metabolic waste products
How is interstitial fluid drained?
Drained by a series of lymphatic. vessels, further constituting as lymph
What are the secondary lymph organs?
Lymph nodes
What is plasma?
The liquid component of blood and lymphatic fluid; plasma is devoid of cells
What does plasma contain?
Plasma contains proteins and antibodies
What separates plasma from red blood cells during centrifugation?
Buffy coat
What does a buffy coat contain?
Buffy coat contains leukocytes and platelets
What is Apheresis?
A technique involving donor blood being collected and subjected under centrifugation. Used for diagnostic purposes.
Elevated levels of certain molecules provide biomarkers for disease
What are the two major groups of proteins present within the plasma?
Serum albumin
Globulins
What is the most abundant plasma protein?
Serum albumin
Name the five variants of globulins:
Apha-1-2
Beta 1-2
Gamma globulin
Where is serum albumin synthesized?
Within the liver
What are the functions of serum albumin?
Transport of lipids, hormones, ions and maintains osmotic pressures of plasma (Oncotic pressure)
What is the fate of fatty acids produced by lipolysis of triglycerides in adipose tissue?
Transported into albumin for beta-oxidation
What is the function of alpha-globulins?
Enters circulation whereby it inhibits proteases, and protects tissues from enzymes (protease neutrophil elastase)
Which enzymes do alpha-globulins protect tissues from?
Protease neutrophil elastase
Why is protease neutrophil elastase produced?
Released during inflammation
How are serum alpha-1 globulins represented?
By alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT)
Where is alpha-1 antitrypsin produced?
Produced within the liver
What is the pathology concerning the A1AT deficiency?
Degradation of lung tissue, therefore reducing elasticity and stimulating respiratory issues.
What two molecules do Alpha-2 globulins comprise of?
Haptoglobin
Alpha-1 macroglobulin
What is the function of haptoglobin?
Haptoglobin released from erythrocytes and results in haptoglobin-hemoglobin complex being removed by the spleen
What is the function of alpha-2 macroglobulin?
Protease inhibitor (inactivates fibrinolysis)
What are the examples of beta-globulins?
Complement proteins (C3 & C4) Transferrin (transportation of iron)
Where are beta globulins synthesised?
Liver
What are gamma globulins?
Immunoglobulins (antibodies)
Acute-phase protein C-reactive protein
