Red and white blood cells Flashcards
What is Hemopoesis?
The production of blood cells and platelets, which occurs in the bone marrow.
What is the size of a Red blood cell?
6.2-8.2 x 2-2.5 um
What is the precursor to all blood cells?
Hemocytoblast (pluripotent) - which then forms eventually basophil, eosinophil, neutrophil etc…
What is the lifespan of a RBC?
120 days
Where are RBC made?
Bone marrow and then transported to the blood
What do RBC do?
Carries O2 and CO2
What hormone promotes the formation of RBC?
Erythropoetin (made in the kidney). The formation of erythropoetin is made by the EPOR receptor found on chromosome 19
What structures/organelles are found in erythrocytes (RBC)?
- Alpha and Beta polypeptide chains
- Oxygen
- Iron
- Cell membrane
no nucleus
What is the Haematocrit?
The volume of red blood cells i.e haemoglobin in the blood, normal haematocrit is 0.45
What is blood made up of?
Blood has two phases;
- Cellular component (45%); Red cells (form 99% of blood
cells), white cells & platelets
- Fluid component (55%); Plasma
What is the precursor of RBC?
Proerythroblast
What is the precursor of monocytes?
Monoblast
What is the precursor of Lymphocytes (T+B)?
Lymphoblast
What is the precursor of Basophil, Eosinophil, Neutrophil (Granulocytes)?
Myeloblast then progranulocyte then granulocytes
What is the precursor of platelets?
Megakaryoblast then megakaryocyte then thrombocytes (platelet)
What is anaemia-hypoxia?
- It is a RBC problem
- Not enough oxygen can get to the body
What is Polycythaemia (PVR) - Thrombosis?
- High concentration of red blood cells in blood
- This makes the blood thicker
- Can cause clots (especially in lower legs)
- Can be caused by a secondary factor e.g.lung disease/ COPD as this will also clot the blood
What are corpuscular problems?
- Problems within the RBC
- Main problem is haemolysis (the rupture or destruction of the RBC)
- Could have an enzyme problem e.g. G6PD (if someone is missing this enzyme or has low levels, RBC break down when body is exposed to certain foods, drugs, infections etc…)
What are extra-corpuscular problems?
- Problems that occur outside of the RBC
- reduced production of them: e.g. Bone marrow infiltration
- Increased destruction/loss: e.g. Bleeding, haemolysis (causes very sudden drop in haemoglobin levels)
- Can be mechanical (MAHA: loss of RBC through destruction) and can create small clots so RBC can not squeeze through.
What is sickle cell disease?
- RBC clog small vessels due to sickling shape
- This shape occurs due to genetics as it is an inherited condition
- Can cause Hand Foot Syndrome (dactylitis) which is an increased swelling in the feet and hands. Treated with fluids and pain medication.
What is Crizanlizumab?
- Antibody drug which binds to P-selectin, blocking its interaction with PSGL-1.
- By inhibiting platelet aggregation, maintaining normal blood flow, this drug could minimise sickle-cell related pain crisis
How big are White blood cells?
7-30um
How long do WBC live?
hours/days/years (normally about 6 hours)
Where are WBC found?
In the thymus/ bone marrow
Transported to the blood/ lymphatic organs
What do WBC do?
Non-specific and specific immunity
What aids in the formation of WBC?
G-CSF (cytokine)
(granulocyte colony stimulating factor) = white cells
what is the humoral immune response?
B Cell:
- Plasma cells
- Memory B Cells
(secrete antibodies that defend against extracellular pathogens)
What is a cell-mediated response?
T Cell:
- active Tc Cells
- Memory T cell
- T Helper cell
- Memory TH cells
(defend against infected cells, cancers and transplant tissues)
Where are B and T cells made?
B - in the bone marrow
T - in the Thymus
What is Neutrophil leukocytosis?
High number of neutrophils (WBC) in the blood
It is a WBC abnormality
What is eosinophilia?
High number of eosinophils in blood
Caused due to infection, or as a drug side effect
What is GVHD?
GvHD happens when particular types of white blood cell (T cells) in the donated stem cells or bone marrow attack your own body cells. This is because the donated cells (the graft) see your body cells (the host) as foreign and attack them
What is a young red blood cell known as?
reticulocyte
