Liver Disease and Plasma Proteins

Questions and Answers

What percentage of total plasma proteins does globulin constitute?

60%

50%

25%

38% (correct)

What is the primary function of albumin in maintaining blood pressure?

Creation of oncotic pressure (correct)

Buffering of acids and bases

Transportation of hormones

Regulation of blood pH

What happens when plasma albumin level decreases by 3 mg/dl?

Blood viscosity increases

Immune response is triggered

Edema occurs (correct)

Fibrinogen levels increase

What percentage of lipids in plasma are transported by binding to plasma proteins as lipoproteins?

75% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of plasma proteins?

Digestion of nutrients Signup and view all the answers

Which group of proteins is important in immune response?

Globulins Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the osmotic force created by plasma proteins?

Oncotic pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is the percentage of plasma proteins constituted by fibrinogen?

7% Signup and view all the answers

What type of anemia arises from folic acid deficiency?

Megaloblastic anemia Signup and view all the answers

What is the process called when white blood cells pass from the vein to the tissue?

Diapedesis Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for an increase in the number of leukocytes?

Leukocytosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of erythrocytes?

To work in circulation Signup and view all the answers

What type of leukocytes do not contain granules in their cytoplasm?

Agronulocytes Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate percentage of neutrophils in human blood?

55-65% Signup and view all the answers

Where are leukocytes produced and stored?

Bone marrow Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the production of leukocytes?

Leukopoiesis Signup and view all the answers

Which type of anemia is characterized by hypochromic and microcytic erythrocytes in a peripheral smear?

Iron deficiency anemia Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of aplastic anemia?

Bone marrow loss of function Signup and view all the answers

What is thalassemia?

A type of hemolytic anemia Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary for DNA construction?

Both vitamin B9 (folic acid) and vitamin B12 (cyanocobolamine) Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of erythrocytes in pernicious anemia?

They are large and oddly shaped Signup and view all the answers

What can cause aplastic anemia?

Gamma ray exposure, X-ray exposure, and some industrial poisons Signup and view all the answers

What is hemolytic anemia caused by?

Erythrocyte abnormalities Signup and view all the answers

Why is thalassemia often seen in Mediterranean countries?

Because of the genetic predisposition of the population Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of serotonin released by platelets during the vasoconstrictive phase of hemostasis?

To promote platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the platelet plug in hemostasis?

To provide a temporary seal to stop bleeding from small vessels Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the basement membrane exposure to blood flow during the vasoconstrictive phase?

It activates platelets, leading to their aggregation and the formation of a platelet plug Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a direct effect of thromboxane A2 released by platelets?

Activation of endothelial cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of calcium ions released by activated platelets during the coagulation phase?

They promote platelet aggregation and contribute to the formation of the platelet plug Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate time delay between the vessel damage and the initiation of the coagulation phase?

30 seconds Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following events occurs FIRST during the vasoconstrictive phase?

Contraction of smooth muscle strands Signup and view all the answers

How does the platelet plug contribute to hemostasis?

By providing a temporary seal that reduces blood loss Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of leukemic cells?

Little or no ability to function Signup and view all the answers

What is the average lifespan of platelets?

5-12 days Signup and view all the answers

What do platelets primarily help prevent?

Blood loss Signup and view all the answers

How are aging and expired platelets removed from the bloodstream?

By macrophages in the liver and spleen Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of platelets when a blood vessel is injured?

Join to the damaged area Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about leukemia is true?

It involves malignant increases in leukocyte count. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of cells are platelets derived from?

Megakaryocytes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of hemostasis?

To prevent blood loss Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Albumin and Edema

Albumin production decreases in liver diseases such as cirrhosis
1g of albumin holds 18ml of water
Edema occurs when plasma albumin level decreases by 3mg/dl

Globulin

Constitutes 38% of total plasma proteins
Plasma contains 2.3mg/dl of globulin
Exists as lipoprotein, glycoproteins, and globulins
Glycoproteins: most of glucose is transported in the form of glycoproteins
Globulins: important carrier for lipids and polysaccharides; 75% of all lipids in plasma are transported by binding to plasma proteins as lipoproteins
Transferrin, a protein carrying Fe++, is a protein from this group
Globulins: important in immune response; includes IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, and IgD

Fibrinogen

Constitutes 7% of plasma proteins
Coagulates blood

Plasma Proteins Functions

Osmotic force created by plasma proteins is called colloid osmotic pressure = oncotic pressure
Oncotic pressure is the most important force holding water in the plasma and preventing water from escaping out of the vein
Albumin is responsible for 70% of this osmotic power
Inadequate production of albumin or albumin losses cause water to escape outside the vessel and accumulate between tissues, resulting in edema
Proteins combine with acids and bases to form salts, regulating blood pH
Proteins carry substances such as hormones, drugs, and metals in the blood
Proteins regulate the sedimentation of erythrocytes in the vascular system, affecting blood viscosity

Anemias

Iron deficiency anemia: characterized by hypochromic and microcytic erythrocytes in peripheral smear
Aplastic anemia: caused by loss of function of bone marrow, resulting in low erythrocyte and leukocyte count
Hemolytic anemia: caused by abnormal erythrocytes that break down easily, resulting in hemolysis
Thalassemias: hemolytic anemia caused by Hb mutants with abnormalities in the polypeptide chain
Megaloblastic anemia: caused by deficiency of B9 (folic acid) and B12 (cyanocobolamine), resulting in large, oddly shaped erythroblasts
Pernicious anemia: develops in deficiency of a glycolipid, one of the intrinsic factors that enable vitamin B12 absorption from the gastric mucosa

Leukocytes (White Blood Cells)

Cells that have protective properties against microorganisms entering the body
Diapedesis: passage of white blood cells from the vein to the tissue
Normal count varies between 4-11 thousand in 1mm3 blood
Increased leukocyte count is also observed in cases of infection
Leukocytosis: increase in leukocyte count; leukopenia: decrease in leukocyte count
Leukocytes are divided into two groups based on cell structures:
- Granulocytes: with granules in their cytoplasm
- Agranulocytes: without granules in their cytoplasm
Leukopoiesis: production of leukocytes
Leukocytes are made in the bone marrow in adulthood, stored here, and released into circulation when necessary

Granulocytes

Leukocytes with granules in their cytoplasm as well as multi-lobed nuclei
Most leukocytes are in this group
Neutrophils: approximately 50-70% of leukocytes

Leukemia (Blood Cancer)

Malignant increase in leukocyte count
Leukemic cells have little or no ability to function
Most characteristic feature is metastasis (spread)
Cells in the bone marrow multiply and spread rapidly

Platelets

Cells that have a very important role in blood coagulation
Consist of giant megakaryocyte cells in the bone marrow
Do not have nuclei, but have metabolism
Short life span of about 5-12 days
Number is around 300,000 in 1mm3 blood

Hemostasis

Prevention of blood loss
Platelets play a role in clot formation by binding to each other and to collagen
Directly important in preventing people from dying from blood loss
When a blood vessel is injured, thrombocytes immediately turn in that direction and begin to join the damaged area
Serotonin granules released by platelets enable delay of bleeding by narrowing the cut or injured vessels

Stop of Bleeding and the Mechanism of Blood Coagulation

Blood loss must be prevented to prevent deterioration of homeostasis
Prevention of blood loss takes place in 3 stages:
1. Vasoconstrictive phase: vasoconstruction, platelet adhesion, and release of local hormones and chemical factors
2. Platelet activation and aggregation, release of thromboxane A2, and serotonin
3. Coagulation phase: starts approximately 30 seconds after vessel damage

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Description

This quiz covers the effects of liver diseases like cirrhosis on albumin production and its role in holding water. It also explores globulin and its functions in lipid and polysaccharide transport.