RBCs and Hemoglobin binding Flashcards
Erythrocytes
red blood cells
Packed Cell volume (PCV)
amount of RBCs as measured from centrifuged blood in a microhematocrit tube= height of the red blood cells column
Hematocrit
a percentage of red blood cells in blood volume
Species variance of hemocrit
- Different species have different hemocrit or PCV values
- Used to estimate the % of blood that is erythrocytes and therefore how much oxygen would be able to be carried
What causes normal variation in RBC number?
- Species
- Breed (thoroughbreds > draft horses)
- Age (adult vs. neonates (more))
- Excitement
- Exercise
- Pregnancy, lactation, stage of estrous cycle
- Altitude (high altitude = decreased arterial oxygen tension)
What causes abnormal variation in RBC number?
1.Poor Nutritional status can result in anemia (too little RBCs)
- RBCs have 120 days lifespan so need nutrition to rebuild and maintain equilibrium
- Blood volume- dehydration (appear too much)
- Less volume will make hematocrit seem higher - Erythrocytosis (too much)
- Too many RBCs in circulation
Function of erythrocytes
- Deliver oxygen to tissues which is conducted by hemoglobin (95% of solid material)
- Carbonic anhydrase- converts CO2 to carbonic acid
What Molecules are associated with erythrocyte membranes?
- Membrane lipids
- Surface glycoproteins (determine blood groups)
- Cytoskeleton (spectrin which binds to actin and helps maintain shape)
What is the Metabolism of erythrocytes?
Relies on glycolysis because no mitochondria
Erythrocyte nucleus
- No nucleus in mammals
- exception is amphibians, reptiles and birds
Electrolytes used by erythrocytes
- Na, K
- Maintenance of osmotic equilibrium by Na/K ATPase pump
Blood types
- Different between species and are not universally compatible
- Mismatched transfusions can lead to severe reactions, including delayed hemolytic reactions, inflammation, and death
- Blood typing or cross matching is essential before transfusion
Number of Blood types in species
- Dogs- 8 groups
- Cats- 3 groups
- Horses- more than 30 groups
- Cattle- 11 groups
- Sheep- 7 groups
Canine blood types
- DEA 1
- DEA 7
Feline blood types
- A
- B
- mic
Equine blood types
- A
- C
- Q
Bovine blood types
- B
- J
Ovine blood types
- B
- R
Shape of RBCs
Normal: biconcave disc shape with a shallow center
- Maximizes surface area to volume ratio which optimizes gas exchange
- Also allows RBCs to fold up, bend as they move through the vasculature (narrow blood vessels)
Poikilocyte
abnormally shaped blood cell
Functions of Erythrocytes
- Transport O2- needs hemoglobin
- Transport CO2- in blood (carbonic anhydrase) and hemoglobin needed
- Buffer- hemoglobin