BIO 226 Chap 17: Red Blood Cells Function and Characteristics

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Questions and Answers

What is the function of hemoglobin in red blood cells?

  • To transport oxygen (correct)
  • To transport carbon dioxide
  • To fight infections
  • To generate energy through cellular respiration

Which of the following characteristics is NOT true of red blood cells?

  • They have a large surface area-to-volume ratio
  • They lack a nucleus
  • They are the largest type of blood cell (correct)
  • They are biconcave discs

What is the primary function of red blood cells?

  • To transport hormones throughout the body.
  • To fight infections
  • To transport oxygen (correct)
  • To regulate blood clotting

What percentage of circulating red blood cells are replaced each day?

<p>1% (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the lifespan of red blood cells relatively short?

<p>Because they lack a nucleus and cannot repair themselves (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to red blood cells at the end of their lifespan?

<p>They are engulfed by macrophages in the spleen, liver, or bone marrow (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the biconcave shape of red blood cells?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate total surface area of an adult's red blood cells?

<p>The same as the surface area of their skin (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the dangerous clumps/fragments of red blood cells (RBCs) that can block small blood vessels?

<p>Cross-reaction (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 'Rh' in the Rh blood group?

<p>All of the above are significant aspects of the 'Rh' in the Rh blood group. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why can an incompatible blood transfusion be dangerous?

<p>All of the above are potential consequences of an incompatible blood transfusion. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between Rh positive and Rh negative individuals?

<p>Rh positive individuals have the Rh surface antigen, while Rh negative individuals lack it. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following blood types is characterized by the absence of the Rh surface antigen?

<p>O negative (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ethnic group has the highest percentage of individuals with blood type O?

<p>Native North American (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ethnic group has the lowest percentage of individuals with blood type AB?

<p>Hispanic (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ethnic group has the highest percentage of individuals with Rh positive blood?

<p>Chinese American (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the heme portion of hemoglobin when red blood cells are broken down?

<p>It is broken down into iron and bilirubin, which are recycled or excreted. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following explains the yellow-brown color of feces?

<p>The presence of stercobilins, produced by bacterial conversion of bilirubin. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What condition is indicated by the presence of intact red blood cells in urine?

<p>Hematuria (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a substance that can cause an immune response and is recognized as foreign by the immune system?

<p>Antibodies (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three most important blood cell surface antigens for determining blood type?

<p>A, B, and Rh (or D) (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the clumping of red blood cells that occurs when surface antigens are exposed to corresponding antibodies?

<p>Agglutination (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of how giving type A blood to a patient who is type B could cause a harmful reaction?

<p>Type B blood has antibodies that will attack type A red blood cells. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How would a liver disease affect the level of bilirubin in the blood?

<p>Increased bilirubin levels in blood, due to the liver's inability to process bilirubin. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is not a component of the cardiovascular system?

<p>Lungs (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which function is associated with the transportation of metabolic wastes?

<p>Transporting wastes to kidneys (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does blood help regulate pH in interstitial fluids?

<p>By neutralizing acids (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does blood play in injury response?

<p>It restricts fluid loss through clotting. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of blood vessels are primarily responsible for transporting blood back to the heart?

<p>Veins (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of capillaries?

<p>Permit exchange between blood and interstitial fluids (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of cells does blood transport to help defend against infection?

<p>White blood cells (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the function of arteries?

<p>Cary blood away from the heart (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is erythropoiesis?

<p>The formation of red blood cells (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where does erythropoiesis primarily occur?

<p>In red bone marrow (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to erythroblasts during the RBC development process?

<p>They start producing hemoglobin. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs in macrophages concerning old RBCs?

<p>They engulf old RBCs to prevent hemolysis. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is hemoglobinuria?

<p>The presence of hemoglobin in urine. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which protein binds iron after it is stripped from heme units?

<p>Transferrin (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential effect of blocked bile ducts?

<p>High levels of bilirubin (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary trigger for the release of erythropoietin (EPO)?

<p>Low tissue oxygen levels (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which condition does NOT stimulate the release of erythropoietin (EPO)?

<p>High blood sugar levels (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of cells do myeloid stem cells primarily produce?

<p>Red blood cells and platelets (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What elements are involved in a complete blood count (CBC)?

<p>Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the recycling of aged or damaged red blood cells?

<p>Components are broken down and reused (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the clinical significance of blood typing?

<p>It prevents transfusion reactions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of white blood cell is responsible for fighting infection?

<p>Neutrophils (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Erythropoietin (EPO)

A hormone released in response to low oxygen levels in tissues.

Hypoxia

A condition of low oxygen levels in tissues.

Stimuli for EPO release

Factors that trigger EPO production include anemia, low blood flow to kidneys, and lung issues.

Stem cells in red bone marrow

Cells that EPO stimulates to produce red blood cells.

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Hematology

The study of blood, its components, and diseases.

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Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A lab test that evaluates the cellular components of blood.

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ABO blood typing

A system to classify blood based on presence of antigens.

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Hemolytic disease of the newborn

A condition due to incompatible blood types between mother and baby.

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Urobilins and Stercobilins

Bacteria convert bilirubin into these substances in the large intestine, coloring feces.

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Kidneys' role in RBC breakdown

Kidneys excrete hemoglobin and urobilins, which gives urine its yellow color.

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Hematuria

Presence of intact RBCs in urine, indicating urinary tract damage.

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Blood Type Determinants

Blood type is determined by specific surface antigens on RBCs, recognized by the immune system.

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ABO Blood Group

Classifies blood based on presence or absence of A and B antigens or agglutinogens.

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Agglutination

Clumping of RBCs occurs when antigens are exposed to corresponding antibodies from another blood type.

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Red Blood Cell Count

Number of RBCs per microliter of blood; normal range is 4.5-6.3 million for males and 4.2-5.5 million for females.

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Shape of RBCs

Biconcave discs with thinner centers and thicker edges to maximize surface area.

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Bilirubin in Liver Disease

Liver disease can elevate bilirubin levels in the blood due to impaired processing.

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Surface Area-to-Volume Ratio

High surface area relative to volume allowing more oxygen exchange.

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Surface Antigens

Substances in RBC plasma membranes that elicit immune responses; include A, B, and Rh.

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Rouleaux Formation

RBCs form stacks (rouleaux) to facilitate transport in small vessels.

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Flexible RBCs

RBCs can squeeze through narrow capillaries smaller than their diameter.

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Anucleate RBCs

Mature RBCs lack nuclei and ribosomes, preventing them from dividing or repairing.

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RBC Lifespan

RBCs last long enough to carry about 1 billion oxygen molecules during their lifetime.

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RBC Replacement Rate

A percentage of circulating RBCs are replaced daily; 2 million new RBCs every second.

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Components of cardiovascular system

Consists of heart, blood vessels, and blood.

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Function of blood - Transport

Carries gases, nutrients, hormones, and wastes.

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Oxygen transport

Delivers oxygen from lungs to tissues.

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Carbon dioxide transport

Transports carbon dioxide from tissues to lungs.

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Regulation of pH

Blood helps maintain pH and ion balance in fluids.

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Clotting mechanism

Prevents fluid loss at injury sites by forming clots.

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Defense against pathogens

Transports white blood cells and antibodies to fight infections.

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Arteries and veins

Arteries carry blood away; veins return it to the heart.

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Cross-reaction

An immune response where antibodies react with similar antigens.

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Hemolysis

The destruction or rupture of red blood cells.

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Rh blood group

Blood type classification based on Rh antigen presence on red blood cells.

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Rh positive

Blood type with Rh surface antigen present.

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Rh negative

Blood type lacking the Rh surface antigen.

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Blood type distribution

Variability of blood types within different populations.

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Percentage with Rh plus

A statistic showing the frequency of Rh positive individuals in a population.

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Erythropoiesis

The formation of red blood cells in red bone marrow.

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Location of Erythropoiesis

Occurs in red bone marrow found in various bones like vertebrae and pelvis.

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Reticulocytes

Immature red blood cells that enter the bloodstream after two days.

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Function of Macrophages

Macrophages engulf old RBCs and monitor their condition.

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Iron in RBC breakdown

Iron from heme is stored or enters blood bound to transferrin.

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Hemoglobinuria

Condition causing red or brown urine from breakdown of too many RBCs.

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Jaundice

A yellowing of the skin and eyes due to excess bilirubin.

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Study Notes

Chapter 17: Blood

  • Blood is a fluid connective tissue
  • Whole blood comprises plasma and formed elements
  • Plasma (55%): mostly water, proteins (albumins, globulins, fibrinogen), and other solutes
    • 60% plasma proteins—osmotic pressure
    • 35% globulins—Immunoglobulins (antibodies); transport globulins
    • 4% fibrinogen—blood clotting
    • 1% other solutes—electrolytes, nutrients, wastes
  • Formed elements (45%): red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
    • Red blood cells (erythrocytes): ~99.9% formed elements—oxygen transport
    • White blood cells (leukocytes): less than 0.1%—body defense; five classes
    • Platelets: less than 0.1%—blood clotting

Cardiovascular System

  • Consists of heart, blood vessels, and blood
  • Heart: pumps blood; maintains blood pressure
  • Blood vessels: arteries, capillaries, and veins
    • Arteries: carry blood away from the heart
    • Capillaries: permit exchange between blood and interstitial fluids
    • Veins: return blood to the heart

Blood Functions

  • Transport dissolved gases, nutrients, hormones, and metabolic wastes
    • Oxygen from lungs to tissues
    • Carbon dioxide from tissues to lungs
    • Nutrients from digestive tract to tissues
    • Hormones from glands to target tissues
    • Wastes to kidneys for excretion
  • Regulate pH and ion composition of interstitial fluids
  • Restrict fluid loss at injury sites
  • Defend against toxins and pathogens
  • Stabilize body temperature

Hematology

  • Study of blood and blood-forming tissues
  • Complete blood count (CBC): various tests to assess blood (RBC count, WBC count, hemoglobin, hematocrit)
  • Red blood cell tests (assessing number, size, shape, maturity)

Blood Typing

  • Determined by surface antigens on red blood cells
    • ABO antigens: A, B, O
    • Rh antigen: Rh+ or Rh-
  • Blood typing tests: mixing blood with antibodies to specific antigens for clumping determination; crucial for safe transfusions
  • Blood type compatibility: crucial to avoid transfusion reactions

Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN)

  • Condition where maternal antibodies harm fetal red blood cells
  • Often a result of Rh incompatibility between mother and fetus
  • Sensitization of the mother to Rh antigens during first pregnancy
  • Subsequent pregnancies may lead to the destruction of fetal red blood cells
    • Prevention with RhoGAM injections

White Blood Cells

  • Types: neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes
  • Neutrophils: 50-70% - phagocytic (engulfing debris)
  • Eosinophils: 2-4% - phagocytic; respond to parasitic infections and allergies
  • Basophils: <1% - release histamine and other chemicals that promote inflammation
  • Lymphocytes: 20-40% - part of lymphatic system; involved in specific defense mechanisms
  • Monocytes: 2-8% - move into tissues to become macrophages which engulf pathogens

Hemostasis

  • Process of stopping blood loss
  • Three phases:
  • Vascular phase: endothelial cells release chemicals, causing vascular spasms and membrane "stickiness"
  • Platelet phase: platelets adhere to damaged vessel surfaces, aggregating and releasing chemicals further promoting vasoconstriction and hemostasis.
  • Coagulation phase: conversion of soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin forming a blood clot.
  • Fibrinolysis: process of clot dissolving initiated by tissue plasminogen activator

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