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Questions and Answers
What is the approximate hemoglobin content for a 5-year-old child?
What is the approximate hemoglobin content for a 5-year-old child?
Which factor does NOT directly affect erythropoiesis?
Which factor does NOT directly affect erythropoiesis?
What is the primary source of erythropoietin in normal adults?
What is the primary source of erythropoietin in normal adults?
During which condition would you expect hypoxia to stimulate increased erythropoiesis?
During which condition would you expect hypoxia to stimulate increased erythropoiesis?
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Which vitamin is directly mentioned as being crucial for erythropoiesis?
Which vitamin is directly mentioned as being crucial for erythropoiesis?
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What percentage of blood volume is made up of plasma?
What percentage of blood volume is made up of plasma?
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Which plasma protein is primarily responsible for maintaining blood volume?
Which plasma protein is primarily responsible for maintaining blood volume?
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Where are the majority of plasma proteins synthesized?
Where are the majority of plasma proteins synthesized?
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Which component is NOT a function of plasma proteins?
Which component is NOT a function of plasma proteins?
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What is the normal concentration range of albumin in plasma?
What is the normal concentration range of albumin in plasma?
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What role do red blood cells primarily serve in the blood?
What role do red blood cells primarily serve in the blood?
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What is a primary function of fibrinogen in the blood?
What is a primary function of fibrinogen in the blood?
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Which of the following substances is primarily transported in the blood?
Which of the following substances is primarily transported in the blood?
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What is the primary hormonal factor synthesized by the kidneys that plays a crucial role in erythropoiesis?
What is the primary hormonal factor synthesized by the kidneys that plays a crucial role in erythropoiesis?
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Chronic liver disease can lead to which type of anemia due to impaired erythropoiesis?
Chronic liver disease can lead to which type of anemia due to impaired erythropoiesis?
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What condition is characterized by the destruction or hypofunction of bone marrow leading to pancytopenia?
What condition is characterized by the destruction or hypofunction of bone marrow leading to pancytopenia?
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Which of the following is NOT a cause of megaloblastic anemia?
Which of the following is NOT a cause of megaloblastic anemia?
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What is the consequence of a deficiency in vitamin B12 or folic acid during erythropoiesis?
What is the consequence of a deficiency in vitamin B12 or folic acid during erythropoiesis?
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What primarily contributes to the increased viscosity of blood compared to water?
What primarily contributes to the increased viscosity of blood compared to water?
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Which plasma protein is responsible for transporting thyroid hormones and fatty acids?
Which plasma protein is responsible for transporting thyroid hormones and fatty acids?
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Which of the following is the main intracellular cation found in red blood cells?
Which of the following is the main intracellular cation found in red blood cells?
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What is the normal range of red blood cells for an adult female?
What is the normal range of red blood cells for an adult female?
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What is the function of carbonic anhydrase enzyme in red blood cells?
What is the function of carbonic anhydrase enzyme in red blood cells?
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How does the biconcave shape of red blood cells enhance their functionality?
How does the biconcave shape of red blood cells enhance their functionality?
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What is the primary reason for red blood cells lacking mitochondria?
What is the primary reason for red blood cells lacking mitochondria?
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What is the average lifespan of a red blood cell?
What is the average lifespan of a red blood cell?
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What is the primary role of erythropoietin in the body?
What is the primary role of erythropoietin in the body?
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Which mineral is crucial for the formation of the heme part of hemoglobin?
Which mineral is crucial for the formation of the heme part of hemoglobin?
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What is the function of copper in erythropoiesis?
What is the function of copper in erythropoiesis?
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Which vitamin is essential for DNA synthesis and maturation of bone marrow cells?
Which vitamin is essential for DNA synthesis and maturation of bone marrow cells?
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What physiological trigger leads to the increased release of erythropoietin?
What physiological trigger leads to the increased release of erythropoietin?
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Which component is NOT a requirement for proper erythropoiesis?
Which component is NOT a requirement for proper erythropoiesis?
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Where is the majority of erythropoietin produced in the body?
Where is the majority of erythropoietin produced in the body?
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What is cobalt's specific role related to erythropoietin?
What is cobalt's specific role related to erythropoietin?
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Study Notes
Blood Physiology
- Blood is the circulating part of extracellular fluid (ECF) within the cardiovascular system (CVS).
- Total blood volume is approximately 8% of body weight.
- Typical blood volume for a 70 kg individual is around 5600 ml.
- Infant blood volume (5 kg) is roughly 400 ml.
General Functions of Blood
- Transport Medium: Blood carries various substances between organs, such as glucose, oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and hormones.
- Homeostasis: Blood maintains a stable internal environment by continuously exchanging substances with interstitial fluid (surrounding tissues) and organs.
- Defense (Immunity): Blood protects the body against foreign microorganisms through both cellular and humoral immune responses.
- Hemostasis: Blood stops bleeding through platelet plug formation and blood clot development.
Blood Composition
- Blood is composed of cells (45% of volume) and plasma (55% of volume).
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Cells:
- Red blood cells (RBCs): 4.5-5 million/mm³ (males), 4.5-5 million/mm³ (females), ranging higher for newborns and those at high altitudes
- White blood cells (WBCs): 4-11 thousand/mm³
- Platelets: 150-400 thousand/mm³
- Plasma: About 90% water and consists of other elements like inorganic substances and organic molecules.
Plasma Proteins
- Normal plasma protein (PP) concentration ranges from 6-8 grams/deciliter (g/dL).
- Major protein components include albumin (3.5-5 g/dL), globulins (2.4-2.7 g/dL), and fibrinogen (0.2-0.4 g/dL).
- Liver: Synthesizes most plasma proteins (albumin, fibrinogen, prothrombin, most globulins), excluding gamma globulin.
- Lymphoid Tissue: Synthesizes gamma globulins (immunoglobulins).
Functions of Plasma Proteins
- Blood Viscosity: Primarily due to fibrinogen.
- Fluid Balance: Primarily through albumin's role in colloid osmotic pressure.
- pH Buffering: Plasma proteins buffer blood pH; ~15% of blood's buffering capacity.
- CO2 Transport: CO2 combines with amino groups of plasma proteins forming carbamino compounds.
- Carrier Functions: Plasma proteins transport various substances (e.g., hormones, lipids, vitamins, drugs).
Red Blood Cells (RBCs)
- Structure: Biconcave discs, lack nuclei and mitochondria in mature form.
- Size and Shape: Diameter ~7.8 microns, thickness ~2.5 microns, volume ~90 cubic microns. Enhanced surface area facilitates gas exchange.
- Normal RBC Count: Males ~5-5.5 million/ mm³, Females ~4.5-5 million/ mm³, Newborns ~6-8 million/ mm³.
- Lifespan: ~120 days.
- Content: Primarily hemoglobin (Hb) (~34% of RBC volume), potassium (K+), and other substances for gas transport.
- Functions: Carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues, carry carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs, provide some viscosity to blood which helps regulate blood pressure (BP).
Erythropoiesis
- Definition: The process of RBC production.
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Sites:
- Infancy and childhood: Active red bone marrow (BM) in most bones.
- Adults: Active red BM mainly in ends of long bones, vertebrae, ribs, sternum, skull, and pelvic bones.
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Stages:
- Stem cell (hemocytoblast) → committed cell (proerythroblast) → early erythroblast → late erythroblast → normoblast → reticulocyte → erythrocyte
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Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis:
- Oxygen supply to tissues (hypoxia stimuli for erythropoietin (EPO) release)
- Nutritional factors (iron, vitamins, proteins)
- Hormonal factors (e.g., thyroid hormone)
- State of bone marrow/liver/kidney
Erythropoietin (EPO)
- Source: Primarily kidney (90%) and liver (10%) in normal adults; liver is the sole source in the fetus.
- Molecular Weight: ~34,000 daltons (Da).
- Function: Stimulates differentiation of stem cells in bone marrow into RBC lineage; speeds up RBC maturation.
Anemia
- Definition: Reduced RBC count or hemoglobin content.
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Types:
- Blood loss anemia: acute (hemorrhage) or chronic (iron deficiency from blood loss)
- Megaloblastic (macrocytic) anemia: caused by vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiencies (related to intrinsic factor).
- Hemolytic anemia: caused by premature destruction of RBCs (membrane defects, disorders of hemoglobin, enzyme deficiencies).
- Aplastic anemia: caused by destruction of bone marrow cells.
Polycythemia
- Definition: Increased RBC count.
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Types:
- Primary Polycythemia (rubra vera): Unknown cause; increase in RBCs.
- Secondary Polycythemia: Increased RBCs possibly due to tissue hypoxia (e.g., high altitude, chronic lung disease, cyanotic heart disease).
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Description
This quiz explores the essential aspects of blood physiology, including its composition, functions, and significance within the cardiovascular system. Test your knowledge on blood volume, transport functions, and immunological roles. Ideal for students studying human biology or physiology.