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Questions and Answers
What are the cellular components of blood?
Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
What are the main components of plasma?
Water, electrolytes, proteins, hormones, and waste products.
Describe the structure of a red blood cell (erythrocyte).
A red blood cell is a biconcave, non-nucleated disc that allows for increased surface area.
What are the phases of red blood cell production in the bone marrow?
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What is the role of erythropoietin in red blood cell production?
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How much total body water is approximately present in a 70Kg male?
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What is the composition of extracellular fluid (ECF)?
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What triggers the increase in red blood cell production at high altitudes?
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What is the implication of erythropoietin use in sports?
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What happens in the body during anemia?
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What are the primary functions of red blood cells (RBC)?
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Describe the normal structure of adult hemoglobin.
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What is the process of red blood cell breakdown?
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Define the term 'anaemia.'
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What is the role of platelets in haemostasis?
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Explain the significance of blood group O Rh-negative individuals in transfusions.
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What are hemoglobinopathies and give an example?
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What happens to bilirubin after red blood cell breakdown?
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What is the relationship between high blood viscosity and polycythemia?
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Outline the sequence of events leading to clot formation.
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Study Notes
Total Body Water
- Total Body Water is around 60% of body weight
- 40-45 liters in a 70 kg male
- Divided into Extracellular Fluid (ECF) and Intracellular Fluid (ICF)
- ECF consists of Interstitial Fluid (ISF) and plasma
Composition of Blood
- Plasma is a component of the Extracellular Fluid compartment
Cellular Content of Blood
- Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)
- White Blood Cells (Leukocytes)
- Platelets (Thrombocytes)
Red Blood Cells
- Mature Red Blood Cells are non-nucleated
- Biconcave shape
- Important for oxygen transport
Red Blood Cell Production
- Begins in utero
- Bone marrow takes over at 6-7 months
- All bone marrow involved in children
- Later life only sternum, vertebrae, ribs, and pelvis are involved
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Requirements:
- Adequate nutrition
- Protein
- Vitamins (e.g. B12, folic acid)
- Erythropoietin (hormone released by the kidney)
- Lack of RBC and/or Hb leads to anemia, reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood
Sequence of Events in Red Blood Cell Production
- Proerythroblast is the first stage of development
- Erythroblast
- Normoblast
- Reticulocyte
- Mature red blood cell
Role of Erythropoietin
- Increases red cell production in response to lack of oxygen (e.g., at high altitudes)
- Synthesized EPO is used to treat patients, such as those with chronic renal failure
- EPO is a source of controversy in sports for blood doping, potentially leading to:
- Polycythemia (increased red blood cell count)
- Increased blood viscosity
- Heart failure
- Stroke
Function of Red Blood Cells
- Contain hemoglobin (Hb)
- Oxygen transport
- Carbon dioxide transport
- Blood buffer (maintaining pH)
Structure of Hemoglobin
- Four polypeptide chains (2 alpha/ 2 beta in adult HbA, 2 alpha / 2 gamma in fetal HbF)
- Each linked to one heme molecule
- Each heme contains one iron atom that binds oxygen
- Hemoglobinopathies are abnormal Hbs, e.g., HbS (Sickle Cell Disease) and Thalassaemias
Anemia
- Sickle Cell Disease is a genetic disorder causing sickled cells (fragile)
- Symptoms: Sickle Cell Haemolytic Anaemia, severe pain, stroke, jaundice, respiratory problems
Red Blood Cell Breakdown
- Lifespan is around 120 days
- Cells become fragile and trapped in the spleen ("Red Cell Graveyard")
- Heme is separated from globin
- Globin is recycled as amino acids
- Heme breakdown yields iron (recycled)
- Other heme breakdown products:
- Biliverdin
- Bilirubin (yellow pigment transported to the liver and excreted in bile)
- Jaundice is caused by high levels of bilirubin in blood, and can occur in liver disease
Blood Groups
- An individual’s blood group is determined by the antigen present on the red blood cell membrane
- All blood groups are either Rhesus (Rh) positive or negative
- Blood group O, Rhesus negative is considered the “Universal Donor" because there are no antigens to react with antibodies in the recipient’s plasma
Blood Transfusion
- Patients’ blood is typed and crossmatched to prevent reactions
- If the antigen on the donor’s cells comes in contact with the corresponding antibody in the recipient’s plasma, an adverse reaction will occur
- For example, if a patient with type A blood receives a transfusion of type B blood, the patient's anti-B antibodies will react with the B antigens on the donor's red blood cells
Platelets
- Platelets are important for hemostasis (stopping bleeding)
Coagulation
- Platelets trigger a cascade of events resulting in the formation of the clotting protein fibrin
- fibrin forms a mesh that traps red blood cells, forming a clot and stopping the bleeding
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Description
This quiz covers the essential concepts of total body water, blood composition, and the formation of red blood cells. It explores the roles of different blood components and what is required for effective red blood cell production. Test your knowledge of human physiology regarding body fluids and blood.