Red Blood Cells Flashcards
What is the average diameter of a red blood cell?
Approximately 7.5 micrometers.
True or False: Red blood cells are typically biconcave in shape.
True.
What is the primary function of red blood cells?
To transport oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs.
Fill in the blank: The shape of red blood cells allows for increased __________.
Surface area for gas exchange.
What is the typical lifespan of a red blood cell?
About 120 days.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of red blood cells? A) Lack of nucleus B) Biconcave shape C) Ability to divide D) Flexible membrane
C) Ability to divide.
What is the term for the process by which red blood cells are formed?
Erythropoiesis.
True or False: Red blood cells can change shape as they pass through capillaries.
True.
What protein is primarily responsible for oxygen transport in red blood cells?
Hemoglobin.
Fill in the blank: Red blood cells are produced in the __________.
Bone marrow.
Multiple Choice: Which condition is characterized by a reduced number of red blood cells? A) Anemia B) Erythrocytosis C) Leukemia D) Thrombocytopenia
A) Anemia.
What shape do red blood cells take when they are dehydrated?
Spiculated or echinocyte shape.
True or False: Red blood cells have a high affinity for carbon dioxide.
True.
What role do red blood cells play in maintaining blood pH?
They help buffer the blood through the bicarbonate buffer system.
Fill in the blank: The flexible membrane of red blood cells allows them to __________.
Deform and squeeze through narrow capillaries.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following best describes the shape of a red blood cell? A) Spherical B) Biconvex C) Biconcave D) Cylindrical
C) Biconcave.
What is the effect of altitude on red blood cell production?
Increased altitude stimulates erythropoietin production, leading to increased red blood cell production.
True or False: Red blood cells contain mitochondria.
False.
What is the significance of the biconcave shape of red blood cells?
It maximizes surface area for gas exchange and allows flexibility.
Fill in the blank: The primary component of red blood cell membranes that contributes to their flexibility is __________.
Spectrin.
Multiple Choice: What happens to red blood cells in a hypertonic solution? A) They swell B) They shrink C) They burst D) No change
B) They shrink.
What is the role of erythropoietin in red blood cell production?
It stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.
True or False: The average volume of a red blood cell is known as mean corpuscular volume (MCV).
True.
What is the typical MCV range for red blood cells?
80 to 100 femtoliters.
Fill in the blank: The red color of blood is primarily due to __________.
Hemoglobin.
Multiple Choice: Which type of anemia is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12? A) Iron-deficiency anemia B) Aplastic anemia C) Pernicious anemia D) Sickle cell anemia
C) Pernicious anemia.
What does MCV stand for?
Mean Corpuscular Volume
What is the normal range for MCV in adults?
80 to 100 femtoliters
True or False: MCH is an abbreviation for Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin.
True
What is the formula to calculate MCH?
MCH = (Hemoglobin in g/dL × 10) / Red Blood Cell count in millions/μL
Fill in the blank: MCHC stands for __________.
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration
What is the normal range for MCHC?
32 to 36 g/dL
Which parameter indicates the average size of red blood cells?
MCV
Which parameter indicates the average amount of hemoglobin in a red blood cell?
MCH
True or False: A low MCV value indicates microcytic anemia.
True
What does a high MCHC value indicate?
Hyperchromic red blood cells
What type of anemia is associated with high MCV?
Macrocytic anemia
What is the significance of measuring MCV, MCH, and MCHC?
They help in diagnosing different types of anemia.
Fill in the blank: The MCH value is typically expressed in __________ per liter.
picograms
True or False: MCHC is calculated by dividing MCH by MCV.
False (MCHC = Hemoglobin / Hematocrit)
What does a low MCHC indicate?
Hypochromic anemia
Which laboratory test provides the values for MCV, MCH, and MCHC?
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
What is the impact of dehydration on MCV and MCHC readings?
Dehydration can falsely elevate MCHC and may not affect MCV.
What can cause an elevated MCV?
Vitamin B12 deficiency or folate deficiency
True or False: MCHC is a measure of the average concentration of hemoglobin in a given volume of red blood cells.
True
What is the relationship between MCV and red blood cell count?
Higher MCV typically corresponds with a lower red blood cell count.
What does a normal MCV with low MCH suggest?
Possible iron deficiency anemia.
What is the primary use of MCV in clinical practice?
To classify types of anemia.
Fill in the blank: MCH is primarily used to assess __________ in red blood cells.
hemoglobin content
What can cause a decreased MCV?
Iron deficiency anemia or thalassemia
True or False: MCV, MCH, and MCHC values are independent of each other.
False (they are interrelated and provide complementary information)
What does the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) measure?
The ESR measures the rate at which red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube over a specified period, indicating inflammation.
True or False: A higher ESR indicates less inflammation.
False
Fill in the blank: The normal ESR range for men is typically _____ mm/hr.
0-15
Fill in the blank: The normal ESR range for women is typically _____ mm/hr.
0-20
What factors can affect the ESR results?
Factors include age, sex, anemia, pregnancy, and certain diseases.
Which blood component primarily influences the ESR?
Fibrinogen
Multiple Choice: Which of the following conditions can lead to an elevated ESR? A) Diabetes B) Infections C) Hypertension D) Osteoporosis
B) Infections
What is the primary use of the ESR test in clinical practice?
To detect inflammation and monitor the response to treatment.
True or False: ESR is a specific test for any particular disease.
False
What is the typical time frame for measuring ESR in a laboratory?
1 hour
What is the significance of a rapidly rising ESR?
It may indicate an acute inflammatory process.
Fill in the blank: The Westergren method is commonly used to measure _____ ESR.
erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a condition associated with a high ESR? A) Rheumatoid arthritis B) Chronic kidney disease C) Sickle cell anemia D) Tuberculosis
C) Sickle cell anemia
What is a potential limitation of the ESR test?
It is a nonspecific test and can be affected by various factors not related to inflammation.
True or False: ESR can be used to distinguish between different types of diseases.
False
What does a low ESR indicate?
It may indicate the absence of inflammation or a condition that causes red cells to remain suspended longer.
Fill in the blank: The _____ test can be used alongside ESR to provide more information about inflammation.
C-reactive protein (CRP)
Multiple Choice: An ESR result of 30 mm/hr in a 30-year-old female is considered: A) Normal B) Elevated C) Low D) Unreliable
B) Elevated
What role does fibrinogen play in the ESR?
Fibrinogen increases the aggregation of red blood cells, leading to a higher sedimentation rate.
True or False: ESR can be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment in inflammatory diseases.
True
What is the maximum sedimentation rate typically observed in healthy individuals?
Usually does not exceed 20 mm/hr.
Fill in the blank: ESR is often used in conjunction with _____ to assess inflammatory conditions.
clinical findings
What age group generally shows higher ESR values?
Older adults
Multiple Choice: Which of the following can lead to a false elevation of ESR? A) Hyperlipidemia B) Anemia C) Dehydration D) All of the above
D) All of the above
What is hematopoiesis?
The process of blood cell formation.
Where does hematopoiesis primarily occur in adults?
In the bone marrow.
True or False: Hematopoiesis only occurs in the bone marrow.
False.
What are the main types of blood cells produced during hematopoiesis?
Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Fill in the blank: The primary stem cell involved in hematopoiesis is the __________.
hematopoietic stem cell.
Which hormone stimulates the production of red blood cells?
Erythropoietin.
What is the role of erythropoietin?
It stimulates the production of red blood cells in response to low oxygen levels.
True or False: White blood cells are produced only in response to infection.
False.
What are the two main lineages of hematopoietic cells?
Myeloid and lymphoid lineages.
What type of blood cell is primarily involved in the immune response?
White blood cells.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following cells is responsible for blood clotting? A) Neutrophils B) Erythrocytes C) Platelets D) Lymphocytes
C) Platelets.
What is the lifespan of a typical red blood cell?
About 120 days.
Fill in the blank: The process by which white blood cells are produced is called __________.
leukopoiesis.
True or False: Hematopoiesis decreases with age.
True.
What is the function of granulocytes?
They play a role in the immune response by attacking pathogens.
What type of blood cell is primarily responsible for oxygen transport?
Red blood cells (erythrocytes).
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a type of white blood cell? A) Basophil B) Eosinophil C) Thrombocyte D) Lymphocyte
C) Thrombocyte.
What is the term for the production of platelets?
Thrombopoiesis.
Fill in the blank: The bone marrow contains __________, which are the sites of blood cell production.
hematopoietic niches.
True or False: Hematopoiesis can also occur in the liver and spleen during fetal development.
True.
What is the primary function of lymphocytes?
To mediate the adaptive immune response.
What role do macrophages play in hematopoiesis?
They help regulate the process by releasing cytokines.
Multiple Choice: Which cell type is primarily involved in allergic reactions? A) Neutrophils B) Eosinophils C) Monocytes D) Lymphocytes
B) Eosinophils.
What is the significance of the hematopoietic stem cell niche?
It provides a specialized microenvironment for stem cell maintenance and differentiation.
Fill in the blank: The process of forming red blood cells is specifically known as __________.
erythropoiesis.
True or False: Hematopoiesis is a continuous process throughout life.
True.
What is the primary function of erythroid cells?
To produce red blood cells (erythrocytes) that carry oxygen throughout the body.
True or False: Erythroid cells are derived from hematopoietic stem cells.
True
Fill in the blank: The process of forming erythroid cells is known as __________.
erythropoiesis
What hormone stimulates erythropoiesis?
Erythropoietin (EPO)
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of erythroid progenitor cells?
A) They are large and nucleated
B) They lack hemoglobin
C) They are involved in immune response
D) They can differentiate into erythrocytes
C) They are involved in immune response
What is the final stage of erythroid cell maturation?
The formation of reticulocytes, which mature into erythrocytes.
True or False: Erythroid cells can be found in the bone marrow.
True
What is the lifespan of a mature erythrocyte?
Approximately 120 days.
Fill in the blank: Erythroid cells primarily develop in the __________ during fetal development.
yolk sac
Multiple Choice: Which of the following factors can influence erythropoiesis?
A) Oxygen levels
B) Iron availability
C) Vitamin B12 levels
D) All of the above
D) All of the above
What is the role of heme in erythroid cells?
Heme is a component of hemoglobin that binds oxygen.
True or False: Erythroid cells can undergo mitosis.
False, mature erythrocytes cannot divide.
Fill in the blank: The main site of erythropoiesis in adults is the __________.
bone marrow
What is the significance of reticulocytes in the blood?
They indicate the rate of red blood cell production.