Red Blood Cells

Question 1

What is anaerobic glycolysis

Answer 1

Metabolic activity- to maintain Haem Fe in reduced state by NADPH.

Question 2

What is erythropoesis

Answer 2

A part of the process of haemopoeisis

Question 3

Where does erythropoesis occur

Answer 3

In adults mainly in the narrow spaces of the sternum, pelvis and long bones

Question 4

What does erythropoietin do

Answer 4

Act on committed erythroid precursors to increase cell division and therefore rbc numbers

Question 5

What is a rbc lifespan

Answer 5

Around 120 days

Question 6

What is haemolysis

Answer 6

A shortening of the rbc lifespan

Question 7

Where are rbc destroyed

Answer 7

In the spleen by macrophages if defective

Question 8

What is the function of hb

Answer 8

To transport o2 from the lungs to respiratory tissues

Question 9

What is 02 affinity

Answer 9

The relationship between hb 02 saturation and p02

Question 10

What is anaemia

Answer 10

Reduced hb in blood

Question 11

What is anaemia

Answer 11

Low hb in blood

Question 12

What are physical symptoms of anaemia

Answer 12

• shortness of breath
• weakness
• pallor =pale skin
• lethargy =tired
• headaches
• heart failure
• palpitations

Question 13

What are clinical signs of anaemia

Answer 13

• pallor of nail beds
• concave nails
• jaundice
• leg ulcers
• bone deformities
• recurrent infection or bruising

Question 14

What rbc features show normocytic, normochromic anaemia

Answer 14

• Mcv is normal
• MCH is normal
• MCHB is normal
• rbc count is reduced

Question 15

What rbc features show microcytic, hyperchromic anaemia

Answer 15

• rbc volume is reduced
• low mcv
• low mch
• low mchc

Question 16

What rbc features shows macrocytic, normochromic anaemia

Answer 16

• rbc count is low
• rbc volume is increased
• hb have a normal concentration
• mcv is up
• mchc is normal
• mch is up

Question 17

What causes microcytic, hypochromic anameia

Answer 17

• poor diet
• poor malabsorption
• chronic blood loss

Question 18

How is IDA anaemia treated

Answer 18

Iron supplements

Question 19

What is hereditary elliptocytosis

Answer 19

An inherited disorder that makes the rbc elliptical shaped

Question 20

What is acquired haemolytic anaemia

Answer 20

Anaemia gained from drugs or autoimmune diseases

Question 21

What is sickle cell

Answer 21

The most commonly inherited blood disease that causes sickle shaped rbcs

Question 22

What is the structure of hb

Answer 22

2 a-globin chains, 2 b-globin chains
Fe atom
Porphyrin rings

Question 23

What are the 2 categories of haemoglobinopathy

Answer 23

1- structural variations- where hb is made in normal amounts but the structure is abnormal.
2- thalassemia- where there is a loss of ability to produce a type of globin chain

Question 24

What is a-thalassemia

Answer 24

The impaired ability to synthesise a globin chains

Question 25

What does a-thalassemia cause

Answer 25

Mild microcytic hypochromic anaemia due to excess b chains

Question 26

What is b-thalassemia

Answer 26

Impaired ability to synthesise b globin chains

Question 27

What does b- thalassemia cause

Answer 27

Excess a chains bind to the rbc membrane reducing its survival

Question 28

What is heterozygous b-thalassemia

Answer 28

Mild microcytic hypochromic anaemia and they are a carrier

Question 29

What is homozygous b-thalassemia

Answer 29

Severe anaemia usually fatal in infancy or childhood without intervention

Question 30

How is b-thalassemia treated

Answer 30

Transfusion, fe chelation therapy or in extreme cases bone marrow transplant