Structure & Function of Blood Cells

Question 1

What is hematocrit?

Answer 1

The percentage of RBCs.

Normal is 40-50% in males are 36-44 in females.

Question 2

What is MCV?

Answer 2

Mean Corpuscular Volume, the average volume of a red blood cell. Typically 80-99.

Question 3

What is RDW?

Answer 3

Red Cell Distribution Width. Typically 11.5%-14.5

Question 4

What is the normal hemoglobin range?

Answer 4

14-18m

12-16f

Question 5

What is MCH?

Answer 5

The average mass of Hb per RBC.

Normal range from 27-31

Question 6

What is MCHC

Answer 6

Concentration of Hb in a given volume of RBCs.

Normal Range: 32-36

Question 7

What is the normal WBC?

Answer 7

4.8-10.8

Question 8

RBC?

Answer 8

4. 7-6.1 males

4. 2-5.4 females

Question 9

What are distinguishable differences between bands and monocytes?

Answer 9

Monocytes are a frosted glass appearance to their cytoplasm, while bands have more granules present. Also, monocytes stain more red, while bands are more purple/blue

Question 10

How do red cells produce such a durable membrane?

Answer 10

They have ankyrin, which attaches the alpha and beta chains of spectrin to produce intracellular cables that hold the cell together.

Question 11

How do red blood cells offset osmotic pressure?

Answer 11

Na/K ATPase (Sodium out/Potassium in)

Question 12

What is the anti-oxidant system of RBCs?

Answer 12

Glutathione (requiring NADPH)

Question 13

What is a method of reducing methemoglobin?

Answer 13

Methemoglobin (Fe+++) can be reduced by cytochrome b5 reductase.

Question 14

What can cause precipitated Hb?

Answer 14

genetic defect in hb structure

oxidized hb

Question 15

What produces bite cells?

Answer 15

tissue-based phagocytes that remove chunks of the cell to remove the precipitated hb

Question 16

What is the difference between schistocytes, spherocytes and bite cells?

Answer 16

Schistocytes are cleaved red cells (frequently helmet shaped). They are present in microangiopathic hemolytic anemia.

Spherocytes are spherical RBCs without a central zone of pallor. These mean some sort of hemolysis.

Bite cells are used to describe cells in G6PD deficiency, where the spleen bites out the precipitated Hb (due to xs oxidation)

Question 17

What can current hematology analyzers provide?

Answer 17

Hb concentration
Reticulocytes
Hematocrit
MCV
RDW
MPV
PLTS
Hematocrit
Leukocyte subsets

Question 18

What are the limitations of hematology analyzers?

Answer 18

Can’t count bands.
Blasts may be counted as lymphocytes or monocytes
Red cell fragments may be counted as plts.
plts clumps aren’t detected (showing artificial thrombocytopenia).

Question 19

What is the mneumonic to remember the WBCs in their commonality order?

Answer 19

Neutrophils Like Making Everything Better (most to least common)