W2 Blood Composition and Group - Maya Latimer

Question 1

List the main components of blood.

Answer 1

Cellular:
erythrocytes
leucocytes - granulocytes: neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils; lymphocytes: B and T cells; monocytes.
platelets

Fluid:
plama, serum.

Question 2

Define Heamatocrit (Hct)

Answer 2

The proportion of blood consisting of erythrocytes.
male: 0.39-0.49
female 0.33-0.43.

Question 3

What is anaemia?

Answer 3

A Hct below normal.
Indicates a pathologically reduced capacity to transport oxygen. Symptoms include dyspnoea, fatigue, chest pain, syncope, pica (craving to eat dirt)

Question 4

What is erythrocytosis?

Answer 4

A Hct above normal.

Question 5

Define Red Cell Count (RCC).

Answer 5

An absolute value indicating the number of cell.

male: 4.3-5.9 x 10^6/mm3
female: 3.5-5.0 x 10^6 mm3

Question 6

Define Haemoglobin (Hb)

Answer 6

The dominant protein of the red cell, involved in oxygen transport. A complex protein of 4 subunits (2 alpha and 2 beta), each with a haem group containing an iron atom

male: 136-172 g/L
female: 120-150 g/L

Question 7

What are young RBCs known as?

Answer 7

Reticulocytes

Question 8

Where is bone marrow found?

Answer 8

Within the vertebrae, pelvis, sternum.

Question 9

What is erythropoietin (EPO)?

Answer 9

A polypeptide with hormonal action on erythroid precursors in the marrow. Produced by the kidney, upregulated expression in hypoxic conditions.

Question 10

What is the name of the precursor chain that determines blood groups?

Answer 10

H antigen

Question 11

What is the role of neutrophils?

What is a normal count?

Answer 11

N = 52-62%
To phagocytose foreign particles, bacteria, debris through the use of intracellular granules with superoxide radical and bacteriocidal enzymes

Question 12

What is the role of eosinophils?

What is a normal count?

Answer 12

N = 1-3 %

Immune response against parasitic infection by engulfing items coated in anti-bodies.

Question 13

What is the role of basophils?

What is a normal count?

Answer 13

N = 0-0.75%

mediate allergic reactions. contain histamine.

Question 14

What does neutrophilia imply?

Answer 14

> 62%

bacterial infection, drug response, trauma, heatstroke, electrical injury.

Question 15

What does eosinophilia imply?

Answer 15

> 3%

parasitic infection, drugs, chronic myeloid leukaemia, vasculitis

Question 16

What does basophilia imply?

Answer 16

> 0.75%

allergies, chronic myeloid leukaemia

Question 17

What does lymphocytosis imply?

Answer 17

> 33%
viral / atypical infection
lymphocytic anaemia

Question 18

What is a normal lymphocyte count?

What are the 3 types of lymphocytes and their main function?

Answer 18

25-33%
B cells - produce antibodies
T cells - produce signalling molecules to fine tune immune response
NK cells - mediate cytotoxicity.

Question 19

How long to platelets live for?

What is the normal platelet count?

Answer 19

5 days.

150-400 x 10^9/L

Question 20

What is thrombocytopenia?

Answer 20

Low platelet count.

Caused by infection, certain drugs, immune destruction, marrow disorders

Question 21

What is thrombocytosis?

Answer 21

High platelet count.

reactive phenomenon in chronic inflammation, blood loss, myeloproliferative disorders.

Question 22

What is plasma?

Answer 22

Fluid portion of blood, consisting of 90% water and 10% dissolved solutes, such as electrolytes, nutrients, organic wastes, and proteins such as albumin, globulins, and fibrinogen

Question 23

What is serum?

Answer 23

The fluid portion of blood without coagulation factors so as not to clot on standing.

Question 24

What is albumin?

Answer 24

Major serum protein (80%).
N = 35-50 g/L
synthesised in the liver.
maintain oncotic pressure.
Purified albumin can be made by fractionation of large scale donor blood for use in treatment of shock and liver disease.

Question 25

What is Haemophilia A?

Answer 25

An inherited deficiency of factor VIII due to mutant gene.