Red blood cells and iron

Question 1

Give some specialised properties of rbc

Answer 1

high Hb content
no nucleus or mitochondria
flexible
high SA: vol ratio

Question 2

Describe the structure of a red cell membrane

Answer 2

complex with protein spars and anchors

Question 3

How can red cells generate energy?

Answer 3

glycolysis only as no mitochondria

Question 4

How do red cells keep water out and maintain ion concentrations with such a high SA: vol ratio?

Answer 4

sodium potassium pump

Question 5

Describe the structure of adult haemoglobin

Answer 5

tetrametric globular protein
2 alpha and 2 beta chains
each chain has a heme group

Question 6

What is a heme group made up of?

Answer 6

iron in the middle of a protoprophyrin ring (organic compound)

Question 7

What does oxygen bind to?

Answer 7

Fe 2+

Question 8

What is the oxidised iron ion?

Answer 8

Fe 3+

Question 9

Which hormone regulates RBC production?

Answer 9

erythropoietin

Question 10

Where is erythropoietin produced? in response to what?

Answer 10

in the kidneys in response to hypoxia when hypoxia-inductible factor is not broken down

Question 11

What is another name for glycolysis in rbc?

Answer 11

Ebden-Meyerhof pathway

Question 12

What is produced by the Ebden-Meyerhof pathway and what for?

Answer 12

ATP: to maintain osmotic pressure

NADH: a reducing agent that prevents oxidation of Fe2+

Question 13

Give an example of 2 free radicals that can damage the rbc

Answer 13

superoxides

hydrogen peroxide

Question 14

How is damage to the rbc by the free radical hydrogen peroxide prevented?

Answer 14

the hexose monophosphate shunt uses NADPH to produce glutathione which protects from oxidative damage

Question 15

Which enzyme can limit glutathione production?

Answer 15

glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)

Question 16

How is fetal haemoglobin different to adult haemoglobin?

Answer 16

2 gamma chains and 2 alpha chains

Question 17

Where are rbc destroyed?

Answer 17

in the spleen by macrophages

Question 18

What is the rbc broken down into?

Answer 18

globin groups –> amino acids

haem group –> iron recycyled, proporphyri to bilirubin

Question 19

if the oxygen dissociation curve moves right how does this affect O2 delivery to tissues?

Answer 19

increases

Question 20

if the oxygen dissociation curve moves left how does this affect O2 delivery to tissues?

Answer 20

decreases

Question 21

What factors move the oxygen dissociation curve right ?

Answer 21

CADET, face Right

CO2, 
Acid, 
2,3-DPG, 
Exercise and 
Temperature