Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does plasmin primarily digest in the body?
What does plasmin primarily digest in the body?
Which of the following is NOT a factor contributing to normal coagulation?
Which of the following is NOT a factor contributing to normal coagulation?
Which condition is associated with excessive bleeding due to a deficiency in clotting factors?
Which condition is associated with excessive bleeding due to a deficiency in clotting factors?
What is the function of warfarin in relation to blood clotting?
What is the function of warfarin in relation to blood clotting?
Signup and view all the answers
What role do calcium ions play in coagulation?
What role do calcium ions play in coagulation?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the diameter range of megakaryocytes?
What is the diameter range of megakaryocytes?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the typical survival time of platelets in the circulation?
What is the typical survival time of platelets in the circulation?
Signup and view all the answers
Which structure serves as the main site for storage of Ca2+ in platelets?
Which structure serves as the main site for storage of Ca2+ in platelets?
Signup and view all the answers
What factor serves as an adhesion bridge between subendothelial collagen and platelets?
What factor serves as an adhesion bridge between subendothelial collagen and platelets?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary site of platelet destruction in the body?
What is the primary site of platelet destruction in the body?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following components is NOT part of the platelet's physical structure?
Which of the following components is NOT part of the platelet's physical structure?
Signup and view all the answers
What role do platelets play in closing small ruptures in blood vessels?
What role do platelets play in closing small ruptures in blood vessels?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the normal blood platelet count range in cu/mm of blood?
What is the normal blood platelet count range in cu/mm of blood?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the minimum RBC count that defines polycythemia?
What is the minimum RBC count that defines polycythemia?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of polycythemia is associated with a RBC count above 14 million/cu mm?
Which type of polycythemia is associated with a RBC count above 14 million/cu mm?
Signup and view all the answers
Which condition can lead to secondary polycythemia?
Which condition can lead to secondary polycythemia?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common characteristic of anemia?
What is a common characteristic of anemia?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of anemia is caused by the inability to absorb enough iron?
Which type of anemia is caused by the inability to absorb enough iron?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of anemia is specifically linked to blood loss after rapid hemorrhage?
What type of anemia is specifically linked to blood loss after rapid hemorrhage?
Signup and view all the answers
Which condition contributes to abnormal hemoglobin levels?
Which condition contributes to abnormal hemoglobin levels?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a physiological condition that can cause secondary polycythemia?
What is a physiological condition that can cause secondary polycythemia?
Signup and view all the answers
What is primarily involved in the phagocytosis of red blood cells?
What is primarily involved in the phagocytosis of red blood cells?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the average lifespan of red blood cells in circulation?
What is the average lifespan of red blood cells in circulation?
Signup and view all the answers
Which substance is a result of the breakdown of heme in red blood cells?
Which substance is a result of the breakdown of heme in red blood cells?
Signup and view all the answers
What component of hemoglobin is reused for protein synthesis?
What component of hemoglobin is reused for protein synthesis?
Signup and view all the answers
Where is bilirubin excreted after it's formed from heme?
Where is bilirubin excreted after it's formed from heme?
Signup and view all the answers
What is responsible for transporting iron in the bloodstream?
What is responsible for transporting iron in the bloodstream?
Signup and view all the answers
What process regenerates erythrocytes in response to low oxygen levels?
What process regenerates erythrocytes in response to low oxygen levels?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the initial product of heme degradation?
What is the initial product of heme degradation?
Signup and view all the answers
Which vitamin is associated with red blood cell production?
Which vitamin is associated with red blood cell production?
Signup and view all the answers
What molecule binds to iron in the liver for storage?
What molecule binds to iron in the liver for storage?
Signup and view all the answers
Which condition is NOT associated with high erythropoietin levels and polycythemia?
Which condition is NOT associated with high erythropoietin levels and polycythemia?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of intrinsic factor in erythropoiesis?
What is the role of intrinsic factor in erythropoiesis?
Signup and view all the answers
Which vitamin is crucial for the maturation of red blood cells (RBCs)?
Which vitamin is crucial for the maturation of red blood cells (RBCs)?
Signup and view all the answers
What percentage of the body's total iron is found in hemoglobin?
What percentage of the body's total iron is found in hemoglobin?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of anemia is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12?
What type of anemia is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12?
Signup and view all the answers
Which factor is NOT crucial for erythropoiesis?
Which factor is NOT crucial for erythropoiesis?
Signup and view all the answers
Where is most vitamin B12 stored in the body?
Where is most vitamin B12 stored in the body?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the active form of transferrin called?
What is the active form of transferrin called?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary reason bilirubin is bound to albumin?
What is the primary reason bilirubin is bound to albumin?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the normal range of bilirubin levels?
What is the normal range of bilirubin levels?
Signup and view all the answers
What bilirubin level is associated with jaundice?
What bilirubin level is associated with jaundice?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of cell is a reticulocyte a precursor to?
What type of cell is a reticulocyte a precursor to?
Signup and view all the answers
Which unit of blood cell formation specifically refers to erythrocytes?
Which unit of blood cell formation specifically refers to erythrocytes?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of stem cells differentiate into lymphocytes?
Which type of stem cells differentiate into lymphocytes?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of albumin concerning unconjugated bilirubin?
What is the role of albumin concerning unconjugated bilirubin?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is not a type of white blood cell mentioned?
Which of the following is not a type of white blood cell mentioned?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Blood Physiology Overview
- Blood is a connective tissue in fluid form, considered the fluid of life. It transports oxygen from the lungs to the body and carbon dioxide from the body to the lungs.
- Blood is red in color. Arterial blood is scarlet red due to oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2), and venous blood is purple-red due to higher carbon dioxide content.
- The average adult blood volume is 5 liters. In newborns, it's 450 ml. Blood volume increases during growth and reaches 5 liters at puberty. In females, the average volume is slightly less (about 4.5 liters).
Blood Composition
- Blood is composed of two parts:
- Plasma constitutes 55% of blood volume. It's mostly water (90%) plus ions and plasma proteins (albumin, globulins, fibrinogen).
- Formed elements (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) make up the remaining 45% of blood volume.
- Normal hematocrit values differ slightly between males and females
- Males: 47% ± 5%
- Females: 42% ± 5%
Blood Functions
- Transport: carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, hormones, and waste products.
- Homeostasis: regulates body temperature and extracellular fluid (ECF) pH.
- Protection against infections: white blood cells and antibodies.
- Blood clotting: prevents blood loss
Blood Cell Formation (Hematopoiesis)
- Erythropoiesis: formation of red blood cells (RBCs).
- Leucopoiesis: formation of white blood cells (WBCs).
- Thrombopoiesis: formation of platelets.
- In utero, RBCs are produced in the yolk sac, liver, spleen, and eventually bone marrow. After birth, red bone marrow in flat bones and the proximal epiphyses of long bones produces RBCs.
Red Blood Cells (RBCs)
- Characteristics: biconcave discs, ~7.5 μm diameter, flexible membrane, no mitochondria or ribosomes, anaerobic glycolysis, and a lifespan of 120 days.
- Typical count: 4.7-5.2 million/mm³.
- Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration: 14-16 g/dL.
- Normal Hb types include Hb A (most common in adults), Hb A2, and Hb F (fetal).
- Function: oxygen transport, carbon dioxide transport, and acting as a buffer.
RBC Differentiation Stages
- A committed stem cell differentiates into a series of stages to reach a mature erythrocyte, these include:
- Proerythroblast
- Basophilic erythroblast
- Polychromatophilic erythroblast
- Orthochromatophilic erythroblast
- Reticulocyte
- Reticulocytes are immature erythrocytes that lose their nuclei and enter the circulation to mature.
- In cases of rapid RBC production, reticulocytes appear in circulation.
Erythropoiesis
- RBC development is characterized by:
- Decreased cell size
- Nucleus disappearance
- Hemoglobin (Hb) appearance
Regulation of RBC Production
- Erythropoiesis is stimulated by erythropoietin, a hormone produced mainly by the kidneys in response to hypoxia (low oxygen levels).
- Hypoxia can result from: low RBC count (anemia), hemorrhage, high altitude, prolonged heart failure, and lung disease
- Other factors outside bone marrow (e.g., muscular exercise, emotional conditions) influence the release of RBCs
- Factors affecting erythropoiesis include: iron, vitamins (B12 and folic acid), and protein intake.
Hemoglobin
- A hemoglobin molecule is composed of four globin protein chains, each with a heme group.
- The heme group contains an iron atom, which allows for oxygen binding.
- Normal types of hemoglobin are Hb A, Hb A2, and Hb F
Iron Metabolism
- Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin and other structures.
- Most iron is stored in the liver as ferritin, for use by red bone marrow.
- Iron metabolism process includes absorption, transport, storage, utilization, and excretion.
White Blood Cells (WBCs)
- Types are:
- Granulocytes: neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils
- Agranulocytes: lymphocytes, and monocytes
- Normal range in blood: 4000−11,000/μL.
- Lifespan varies considerably between different types
Phagocytosis
- Definition: Cellular ingestion of a foreign particle.
- Function: Neutrophils and Macrophages defend against infections.
Diapedesis, Chemotaxis, and Margination
- Diapedesis: The movement of WBCs out of blood vessels and into interstitial tissues.
- Chemotaxis: Chemical signal that draws WBCs to the site of injury or infection.
- Margination: The sticking of WBCs to the inner wall of blood vessels before diapedesis
Intravascular Anticoagulants
- Endothelial Surface Factors
- The smoothness of the endothelial cell surface
- A layer of glycocalyx on the endothelium
- Thrombomodulin, a protein bound to the endothelial membrane.
- NO and prostacyclin
- Prevent clotting in healthy blood vessels
Disorders of Erythrocytes
- Polycythemia: Increased RBC count.
- Primary (polycythemia vera): Due to bone marrow malignancy.
- Secondary: caused by factors like respiratory disorders, congenital heart disease, or heart disease
- Anemia: Reduced RBC count, hemoglobin content, or packed cell volume.
- Blood loss anemia
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Pernicious anemia (B12 deficiency)
- Megaloblastic anemia (folic acid deficiency)
Pathophysiology of Jaundice
- Jaundice is caused by elevated bilirubin levels in the blood.
- Bilirubin is a breakdown product of heme.
- The normal pathway involves conjugation of bilirubin in the liver, making it water-soluble and excretable in the bile, then in urine and feces.
- Disruption of this pathway causes jaundice.
- Pre-hepatic: excess red blood cell breakdown, common in newborns and individuals with autoimmune disorders
- Intrahepatic: faulty liver processing of bilirubin, often seen with generalized liver problems like hepatitis or cirrhosis
- Post-hepatic: bile duct obstruction, and common causes are gallstones or tumor blocking the flow
Neonatal Jaundice
- Common in premature infants, generally transient and resolves within 10 days.
- Elevated bilirubin can lead to kernicterus, a serious neurological condition.
- Phototherapy is often used to reduce bilirubin levels
- In cases of elevated bilirubin in the first 24 hours or more than 10 days, further investigation is needed.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Test your knowledge on coagulation and platelet function with this engaging quiz. Explore questions about blood clotting factors, platelet structure, and their physiological roles in the body. Perfect for students studying hematology or related medical fields.
