Red Cell Structure and Function Flashcards

1
Q

What are the stages of development in the bone marrow for RBCs?

A
  1. Pronormoblast [EPO stimulates pronormoblast differentiation] → Normoblasts → Reticulocytes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are reticulocytes?

A

Immature RBCs

Nuceli have not atrophied

Can be released into blood early if marrow is working hard - increased in anaemias if normal working marrow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is required for the production of RBCs?

A

Progenitors - stem cells, EPO and other factors

Hb - requires Fe and normal Hb synthesis - deficiency → microcytic anaemia

DNA production - requires Folate and vit B12 for DNA synthesis - deficiency → macrocytic anaemia

Normal protein/membrane synthesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Describe the process of antigen manufacture for the ABO system

A

Antigens have a common precursor protein, H

Sugar residues are added to it by enzymes to create antigen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is an H protein which has no sugar residues added to it?

A

Absence of any AB antigen binding is represented as O

It is non-antigenic (i.e. antibodies will not bind to it)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is A antigen blood?

A

H protein which has A sugar added to it by A-transferase enzyme → A antigen (antigenic)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

If an H sugar has a B sugar added to it by B-transferase enzyme, what does it become?

A

B Antigen blood

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Which chromosome contains the gene responsible for ABO blood groups? and what are the 4 possible alleles?

A

Chromosome 9

O - no transferase enzyme - no ABO antigen produced

A - A-transferase - A antigen produced

B - B-transferase - B antigen prodeced

AB - codes for both enzymes - A and B produced

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Against which blood types will one have antibodies against?

A

Antibodies to A and B antigens naturally occur in patients who lack the antigens on their blood cells

e.g. Anti-A IgM, Anti-B IgM

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What happens if the wrong blood type is given to a patient?

A

Antibodies will attack any RBCs displaying foreign antigens

Cell lysis via complement activation and MAC formation

Wider immune reaction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Anti-D Antibodies are naturally present. True or false?

A

False. Anti-D antibodies are not naturally present.

Exposure to Rh D in Rh -ve patient will → anti-D IgG

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How may RhD exposure occur?

A

Transfusion

Labour - Rh-ve mother may develop anti-D IgG against baby’s blood if mixing occurs in labour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the two types of transfusion reactions in regards to RhD?

A

Immediate reactions in Rh -ve patients who have pre-existing Anti-D IgG from previous exposure

Delayed transfusion reactions - as patients develop anti-D antibodies which begin to lyse RBCs - hours/days after transfusion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What blood group are universal RBC donors?

A

Group O RhD -ve

RBCs have no antigens

Cannot receive any other RBCs, as will have antibodies to attack them

Universal plasma recipient - Any antibodies in plasma will not attack host RBCs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What blood group are universal RBC receivers?

A

Group AB RhD +ve

Can’t have formed antibodies to any antigens

Universal plasma donor - as plasma contains no antigens. Cannot receive any other plasma, as it may contain antibodies which would attack host RBCs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly