Hypocalcemia: Understanding Calcium Levels in the Blood

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What is the primary function of calcium in the human body?

To facilitate apoptosis in cells

To maintain the structure of bones (correct)

To transport oxygen throughout the body

To regulate the electrical membrane potential in nerve cells

What is the ionized form of calcium in the blood?

Ca2+ (correct)

Ca+

Ca2-

Ca3+

What percentage of calcium in the human body is found in bones?

99% (correct)

90%

95%

99.9%

What type of channels are primarily controlled by hormones or neurotransmitters?

Ligand-gated channels Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of high levels of intracellular calcium?

Cell death Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the remaining 1% of calcium in the human body that is not found in bones?

Extracellular calcium Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of low calcium levels in the blood?

Hypoparathyroidism Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary for parathyroid hormone production?

Magnesium Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the involuntary contraction of muscles due to low calcium levels?

Tetany Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of low extracellular calcium on voltage-gated sodium channels?

Destabilizing them Signup and view all the answers

What is the diagnosis of hypocalcemia based on?

A low level of calcium in the blood Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of treatment in hypocalcemia?

Normalizing calcium levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the twitching of facial muscles after the facial nerve is lightly finger tapped?

Chvostek's sign Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the muscle spasm that makes the wrist and metacarpophalangeal joints flex?

Trousseau's sign Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of ionized calcium binding to phosphate?

Decreasing calcium levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of too many blood transfusions on ionized calcium levels?

A decrease in ionized calcium Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of ATP-dependent calcium pumps in cells?

To prevent calcium levels from getting too high Signup and view all the answers

Where is the majority of intracellular calcium stored?

Mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the calcium-sensing receptor in parathyroid cells?

To detect changes in extracellular calcium levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of parathyroid hormone released by the parathyroid gland?

To release calcium from bones and kidneys Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of high pH (alkalosis) on albumin and calcium levels in the blood?

Decreased free-ionized calcium and increased bound calcium Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the condition in which total calcium levels appear low due to low albumin levels, but free-ionized calcium levels are normal?

Pseudohypocalcemia Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of complexed calcium in the blood?

To neutralize the electrical charge of calcium Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal range of extracellular calcium levels in the blood?

8.5-10 mg/dl Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of hypoalbuminemia on calcium levels in the blood?

Decreased total calcium levels and increased free-ionized calcium Signup and view all the answers

What are the two possibilities for developing true hypocalcemia?

Less calcium entering the blood and too much calcium leaving the blood Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of calcium is found in the bones of the human body?

99% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of ligand-gated channels in cells?

To control the flow of calcium into cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process of programmed cell death?

Apoptosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of ATP-dependent calcium pumps in cells?

To regulate calcium levels in cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the range of normal calcium levels in the blood?

8.5-10 mg/dL Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the ionically linked calcium molecule that is electrically neutral and can cross cell membranes?

Complexed calcium Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the parathyroid hormone in regulating calcium levels?

To increase calcium levels in the blood Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the receptor that detects changes in extracellular calcium levels?

Calcium-sensing receptor Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of voltage-gated channels in cells?

To maintain the electrical membrane potential Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the form of calcium that is bound to negatively charged proteins like albumin and globulin?

Non-diffusible calcium Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the bound calcium in the blood when there's a low pH?

It decreases due to the repulsion between positively charged albumin and calcium Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of hyperalbuminemia on free ionized calcium concentrations in the blood?

It has no effect on the concentration of free ionized calcium Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common cause of true hypercalcemia?

Increased osteoclastic bone resorption Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of high levels of ionized calcium on voltage-gated sodium channels?

They are less likely to open up Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of hypercalciuria in the kidneys?

It leads to a loss of excess fluid Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical diagnostic range for hypercalcemia in the blood?

Above 10.5 mg/dL Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of hypercalcemia on muscle contraction?

It decreases muscle contraction speed Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of hypercalcemia on the central nervous system?

It causes confusion, hallucinations, and stupor Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the condition where the concentration of bound calcium increases, but the concentration of free ionized calcium stays the same?

Pseudohypercalcemia Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of thiazide diuretics on calcium levels in the blood?

They increase calcium reabsorption in the distal tubule Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the 0.99% of extracellular calcium in the human body?

To regulate muscle and nerve function Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of high levels of calcium in the interstitial space between cells?

Increased apoptosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which cells regulate their intracellular calcium levels?

By using ATP-dependent calcium pumps Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the 0.01% of intracellular calcium in the human body?

To facilitate cell signaling Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between ligand-gated and voltage-gated channels in the cell membrane?

Ligand-gated channels are primarily controlled by hormones, while voltage-gated channels are primarily controlled by electrical membrane potential Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of low levels of extracellular calcium on muscle contraction?

Decreased muscle contraction Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of sodium-calcium exchangers in cells?

To remove excess calcium from the cell Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of a decrease in pH on the concentration of free-ionized calcium in the blood?

It increases the concentration of free-ionized calcium Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the calcium-sensing receptor in parathyroid cells?

To detect changes in extracellular calcium levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the condition in which total calcium levels appear normal, but free-ionized calcium levels are low?

Pseudohypocalcemia Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of ATP-dependent calcium pumps in cells?

To remove excess calcium from the cell Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of an increase in albumin levels on the concentration of free-ionized calcium in the blood?

It decreases the concentration of free-ionized calcium Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the form of calcium that is involved in cellular processes like neuronal action potentials and muscle contraction?

Free-ionized calcium Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of parathyroid hormone released by the parathyroid gland?

To increase the concentration of free-ionized calcium in the blood Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of a decrease in parathyroid hormone levels on the concentration of free-ionized calcium in the blood?

It decreases the concentration of free-ionized calcium Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process by which the body regulates the concentration of extracellular calcium levels?

Homeostasis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which tissue injury leads to hypocalcemia?

Intracellular phosphate release binds to ionized calcium Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a cause of hypocalcemia due to too much calcium leaving the blood?

Kidney failure Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of low ionized calcium levels on voltage-gated sodium channels?

They become less stable and more likely to open Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of treatment in hypocalcemia?

To normalize calcium levels in the blood Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of citrate and EDTA in blood transfusions on ionized calcium levels?

They decrease ionized calcium levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the facial muscle twitching that occurs when the facial nerve is lightly tapped?

Chvostek's sign Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a cause of hypocalcemia due to low calcium entering the blood?

Hypoparathyroidism Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of Na+-Ca2+ exchangers in cells?

To pump excess calcium out of the cell Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of low ionized calcium levels on electrically active neurons?

They become more excitable Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of hypocalcemia in the majority of cases?

Low calcium entering the blood Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of a decrease in blood pH on the binding of calcium to albumin?

Decreased binding of calcium to albumin Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of ligand-gated channels in bone cells?

To regulate the release of calcium from bones Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the muscle spasm that occurs when the blood pressure cuff occludes the brachial artery?

Trousseau's sign Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of high levels of calcium in the mitochondria?

Increased cell death Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum in regulating calcium levels?

To store calcium and release it selectively Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of a decrease in parathyroid hormone on calcium levels in the blood?

Decreased calcium levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of ATP-dependent calcium pumps in muscle cells?

To pump excess calcium out of the cell Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of an increase in extracellular calcium on voltage-gated calcium channels?

Increased flow of calcium into the cell Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the parathyroid gland in regulating calcium levels?

To regulate all of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the calcium molecule that is ionically linked to oxalate?

Complexed calcium Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of a low pH on the binding of calcium to albumin?

Calcium is released from albumin Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of false hypercalcemia?

High albumin levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of high levels of ionized calcium on electrically active neurons?

It makes it harder for neurons to reach depolarization Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of overstimulated osteoclasts without enough osteoblasts?

Lytic bone lesions Signup and view all the answers

Hypocalcemia: Understanding Calcium Levels in the Blood

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of calcium in the human body?

What is the ionized form of calcium in the blood?

What percentage of calcium in the human body is found in bones?

What type of channels are primarily controlled by hormones or neurotransmitters?

What is the consequence of high levels of intracellular calcium?

What is the term for the remaining 1% of calcium in the human body that is not found in bones?

What is the primary cause of low calcium levels in the blood?

What is necessary for parathyroid hormone production?

What is the term for the involuntary contraction of muscles due to low calcium levels?

What is the effect of low extracellular calcium on voltage-gated sodium channels?

What is the diagnosis of hypocalcemia based on?

What is the main goal of treatment in hypocalcemia?

What is the term for the twitching of facial muscles after the facial nerve is lightly finger tapped?

What is the term for the muscle spasm that makes the wrist and metacarpophalangeal joints flex?

What is the effect of ionized calcium binding to phosphate?

What is the result of too many blood transfusions on ionized calcium levels?

What is the primary function of ATP-dependent calcium pumps in cells?

Where is the majority of intracellular calcium stored?

What is the function of the calcium-sensing receptor in parathyroid cells?

What is the purpose of parathyroid hormone released by the parathyroid gland?

What is the effect of high pH (alkalosis) on albumin and calcium levels in the blood?

What is the term for the condition in which total calcium levels appear low due to low albumin levels, but free-ionized calcium levels are normal?

What is the purpose of complexed calcium in the blood?

What is the normal range of extracellular calcium levels in the blood?

What is the effect of hypoalbuminemia on calcium levels in the blood?

What are the two possibilities for developing true hypocalcemia?

What percentage of calcium is found in the bones of the human body?

What is the primary function of ligand-gated channels in cells?

What is the term for the process of programmed cell death?

What is the primary function of ATP-dependent calcium pumps in cells?

What is the range of normal calcium levels in the blood?

What is the term for the ionically linked calcium molecule that is electrically neutral and can cross cell membranes?

What is the role of the parathyroid hormone in regulating calcium levels?

What is the term for the receptor that detects changes in extracellular calcium levels?

What is the primary function of voltage-gated channels in cells?

What is the term for the form of calcium that is bound to negatively charged proteins like albumin and globulin?

What happens to the bound calcium in the blood when there's a low pH?

What is the effect of hyperalbuminemia on free ionized calcium concentrations in the blood?

What is the most common cause of true hypercalcemia?

What is the effect of high levels of ionized calcium on voltage-gated sodium channels?

What is the consequence of hypercalciuria in the kidneys?

What is the typical diagnostic range for hypercalcemia in the blood?

What is the effect of hypercalcemia on muscle contraction?

What is the effect of hypercalcemia on the central nervous system?

What is the term for the condition where the concentration of bound calcium increases, but the concentration of free ionized calcium stays the same?

What is the effect of thiazide diuretics on calcium levels in the blood?

What is the primary function of the 0.99% of extracellular calcium in the human body?

What is the consequence of high levels of calcium in the interstitial space between cells?

What is the primary mechanism by which cells regulate their intracellular calcium levels?

What is the function of the 0.01% of intracellular calcium in the human body?

What is the primary difference between ligand-gated and voltage-gated channels in the cell membrane?

What is the consequence of low levels of extracellular calcium on muscle contraction?

What is the primary function of sodium-calcium exchangers in cells?

What is the effect of a decrease in pH on the concentration of free-ionized calcium in the blood?

What is the purpose of the calcium-sensing receptor in parathyroid cells?

What is the term for the condition in which total calcium levels appear normal, but free-ionized calcium levels are low?

What is the primary function of ATP-dependent calcium pumps in cells?

What is the effect of an increase in albumin levels on the concentration of free-ionized calcium in the blood?

What is the term for the form of calcium that is involved in cellular processes like neuronal action potentials and muscle contraction?

What is the purpose of parathyroid hormone released by the parathyroid gland?

What is the effect of a decrease in parathyroid hormone levels on the concentration of free-ionized calcium in the blood?

What is the term for the process by which the body regulates the concentration of extracellular calcium levels?

What is the primary mechanism by which tissue injury leads to hypocalcemia?

Which of the following is a cause of hypocalcemia due to too much calcium leaving the blood?

What is the effect of low ionized calcium levels on voltage-gated sodium channels?

What is the primary goal of treatment in hypocalcemia?

What is the effect of citrate and EDTA in blood transfusions on ionized calcium levels?

What is the term for the facial muscle twitching that occurs when the facial nerve is lightly tapped?

Which of the following is a cause of hypocalcemia due to low calcium entering the blood?

What is the primary function of Na+-Ca2+ exchangers in cells?

What is the effect of low ionized calcium levels on electrically active neurons?

What is the primary cause of hypocalcemia in the majority of cases?

What is the effect of a decrease in blood pH on the binding of calcium to albumin?

What is the primary function of ligand-gated channels in bone cells?

What is the term for the muscle spasm that occurs when the blood pressure cuff occludes the brachial artery?

What is the consequence of high levels of calcium in the mitochondria?

What is the function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum in regulating calcium levels?