Unit 6 - Red Cell Structure & Physiology Flashcards
Size of RBC
7-9 um
RBCs can squeeze through small micro vessels as small as ___ in the spleen
3 micrometers
For normal function, the RBC structure must have
1) Intact, functioning membrane
2) Normal internal metabolism
3) No nucleus for repairs
RBC membrane structure components
Lipid Bilayer
Protein layers that transverse lipids
Protein cytoskeleton
Components of the lipid bilayer
Cholesterol
Phospholipids
Phospholipids composed of hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts
Hydrophobic tails - Interior
Hydrophilic heads - exterior
How much cholesterol on lipid bilayer is in proportion to plasma cholesterol
in equilibrium with plasma cholesterol
Components of proteins that transverse the lipid bilayer
Glycophorins
Band 3 protein
Glycophorin types
A, B, C
Three domains of the types of glycophorins
Cytoplasmic - Interior
Hydrophobic - Middle
Extracellular - Exterior
Where is glycophorin C in the membrane of the RBC?
Outside, its heavily glycosylated
What do extracellular glycophorins do
Carry RBC antigens
Negative charge (Zeta potential) that keeps RBCs apart
What does Band 3 protein do
Anion exchange protein 1
Channel for chloride <–> bicarbonate (CO2 exchange)
Components of membrane cytoskeleton
Spectrin
Ankyrin
Actin
Tropomyosin
Bands 4.1, 4.2, 4.9
Where is the RBC Cytoskeleton
Underneath the lipid bilayer
What does the RBC cytoskeleton do
Maintain RBC shape
Pliability to squeeze through capillaries and survive turbulence
What is the main protein of the cytoskeleton
Spectrin
What is spectrum composed of
alpha and beta chains twisted together
What is the shape of spectrin
Arranged in lattice of hexagons to allow it to recoil like a spring
Where is spectrin and what holds it there?
Attached to the bilipid layer by ankyrin and band 4.2
What does ankyrin do
Anchors spectrin
Another name for ankyrin
Band 2.1
What do actin and tropomyosin do
Muscle like filaments that stabilize RBC cytoskeleton
What do Bands 4.1, 4.2, 4.9 do
help with stabilization
Deformability of RBC depends on
1) Biconcave shape
2) Viscosity of internal solution (mostly hgb)
3) Elastic properties of RBC membrane
What does the lipid bilayer rely on for repair?
Plasma lipids
What does an increase of plasma lipids do to RBC
Changes the membrane
What are typical shape changes due to plasma lipids
Codocytes (target)
Acanthocytes (spur)
Anions and water flow freely across the membrane via what structures?
Protein band 3
Water channel protein
What do cations require for permeability?
Cation pump and ATP
What do cation pumps do
Sodium pumped out
Potassium drawn in
What are the main cation pumps in RBC membrane
Na/K
Ca-ATPase