WEEK 5 - Haematological Disorders Flashcards
Blood is classified as?
A specialised connective tissue
What is the function of blood and what are its constituents?
Transports oxygen, food and wastes around the body to maintain homeostasis.
Made up of blood cells (45%) and plasma (55%)
What is plasma made up of?
90% water and 10% solutes (proteins)
Most abundant proteins are albumin, globulins (antibodies) and fibrinogen - made by the liver
What is the function of plasma proteins?
Functions in:
- Transport
- Maintenance of oncotic pressure (esp. albumin)
- Immunity
- Clotting
Name the three types of blood cells?
- Erythrocytes (RBCs)
- Leukocytes (WBCs)
- Thrombocytes (platelets)
Are all blood cells true cells?
NOP
- Mature RBCs = no nuclei
- Platelets = cell fragments
Where do blood cells originate?
From bone marrow, renewed via division of stem cells in bone marrow
Where is bone marrow found (what kind of bones)?
In long bones, vertebrae, cranium and sternum
Primary role of RBCs?
Transport of O2 and CO2
What molecule in RBCs carry O2? How many O2 molecules can each one carry?
Haemoglobin
Each Hb has four Fe = each one carries one O2 = four O2 per Fe
What makes up the cytoskeleton of RBCs?
Spectrin
Rate of RBC production depends on?
EPO production via the kidneys (erythropoietin)
At the end of their life, how are RBCs broken down?
Via macrophages
What are the five types of WBCs?
Which are granulocytes and which are agranulocytes?
Granulocytes:
- Neutrophils
- Eosinophils
- Basophils
Agranuloctes:
- Lymphocyte
- Monocytes
What do neutrophils do?
They are phagocytes - first to respond to injury
What do lymphocytes do?
B and T cells - immunity cells
T = directly attack and kill foreign cells
B = make antibodies that go and do the killing
What do eosinophils do?
Form the immune system of the GIT, have a role against parasitic worms
What do basophils do?
Contain histamines, active in allergic and inflammatory responses
What is the difference between leukocytosis and leukopenia?
Leukocytosis = WBC count higher than normal, may be due to infection
Leukopenia = WBC count lower than normal, may be due to infection or bone marrow suppression
What is the difference between platelets and sticky platelets?
Sticky = name of platelets when they are forming a blood clot ONLY
What are the two roles of platelets?
- Haemostasis - formation of a platelet plug to stop bleeding after injury
- Coagulation - release of chemical mediators by platelets required for blood clotting
Number of platelets in blood depends on?
Thrombopoeitin produced by the liver and kidneys
Define and describe haemataopoiesis?
The process of blood cell formation
Blood cells are made from haematopoietic stem cells, which then differentiate to follow the myeloid (most blood cells) or lymphoid (NK cells or T/B lymphocytes) lines.
What are the four blood types and their present antigens?
A = A antigens B = B antigens AB = A and B antigens O = no antigens
What are the two principles of blood typing?
- Plasma does not contain antibodies against the antigens present on its own RBCs
- Plasma contains antibodies against A/B antigens if they are not present on its own RBCs