What is Blood? Flashcards
What is the difference between haematopoeisis and haemopoeisis
haematopoeisis is american
haemopoeisis is english english
What is blood?
Suspension of cells in water, proteins and electrolytes
How much of the blood does plasma make up?
approximately 55% of total blood volume.
40 - 50 ml/kg
How much of the blood is made up of erythrocytes?
approximately 45%
What percentage of blood makes up the “buffy coat”?
<1%
How much blood is there in people compared to bodyweight?
RBCs: 20 - 30 ml/kg
Plasma: 40 - 50 ml/kg
What is the buffy coat?
The cellular component
Where are clotting factors located?
In blood plasma
How is a blood count (FBC) conducted?
Machine is usually used which measures red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
What is haematocrit?
Percentage of blood that is cellular (packed cell volume)
What information is given by blood counting machine?
RBC count
HGB haemoglobin
HCT haematocrit
MCV Mean RBC Volume
MCH Mean cell haemoglobin
MCHC mean cell haemoglobin concentration
RDW RBC Distribution Width
RET%: % of RBCs that are reticulocytes (Immature RBCs)
PLT: Platelet count
MPV: Mean Platelet Volume
How is anaemia classified?
Microcytic (<80 fL)
Normocytic
Macrocytic (>100 fL)
What are the causes of microcytic anaemia?
Iron deficiency
Thalassaemia
Haemoglobinopathies
Anaemia of chronic disease
What are the causes of normocytic anaemia?
Blood loss
Haemolytic anaemia (either due to destruction of RBC membrane, Enzyme defects, or extrinsic factors)
Stem cell defects
What causes Macrocytic anaemia?
Megaloblastic anaemia
Excess alcohol
Liver disease
Reticulocytosis
Drug therapy
Marrow failure
What does reticulocyte count tell us?
If it is reduced then it means there is a failure in RBC production (erythropoiesis)
If it is increased there is appropriate BM erythroid response