Red Cell Membrane Proteins Quiz

The presence of hemoglobin in the urine, indicating red blood cell breakdown.

A stain used to identify hemosiderin deposits in tissues, particularly in urine sediment.

A measure of the percentage of young red blood cells (reticulocytes) in the blood, reflecting red blood cell production rate.

A measure of the number of reticulocytes produced in the bone marrow, adjusted for the level of anemia.

An increase in the number of red blood cells in the bone marrow, a sign of increased red blood cell production.

The ratio of immature to mature red blood cells in the bone marrow.

A test that measures the red blood cell's resistance to lysis (breakdown) in a hypotonic solution.

Studies that analyze the survival of red blood cells in the bloodstream, often using radio-labeled red blood cells.

A protein complex that forms a lattice-like network beneath the plasma membrane of red blood cells, providing structural support and flexibility.

The hexagonal lattice structure of the RBC membrane skeleton, composed of spectrin tetramers, hexamers, or double tetramers, linked by junctional complexes.

Protein complexes within the spectrin lattice that connect spectrin filaments to actin filaments, providing structural integrity and flexibility to the RBC.

A globular protein that binds to spectrin filaments, anchoring them to the plasma membrane of the RBC.

A protein that interacts with both spectrin and actin filaments, contributing to the stability and flexibility of the RBC membrane.

Hereditary pyropoikilocytosis (HPP) is a rare genetic blood disorder characterized by small, irregularly shaped red blood cells (poikilocytes), red cell budding, and very few elliptocytes.

Southeast Asian Ovalocytosis (SAO) is a genetic blood disorder found predominantly in Southeast Asian populations. It is characterized by oval-shaped red blood cells with a central band.

Hereditary elliptocytosis (HE) is a genetic blood disorder characterized by abnormally shaped red blood cells that are elongated and oval-shaped (elliptocytes).

In hereditary elliptocytosis (HE), the osmotic fragility test and autohemolysis are typically normal, although a few patients may have elevated autohemolysis.

In hereditary pyropoikilocytosis (HPP), the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is decreased, and the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is usually elevated.

Hereditary elliptocytosis (HE) is a genetic blood disorder characterized by red blood cells that have an oval or elliptical shape.

Hereditary pyropoikilocytosis (HPP) is a rare, severe form of hereditary elliptocytosis, causing red blood cells to be irregularly shaped and fragile.

In HE, a defect in horizontal protein interactions within the red blood cell membrane causes the cells to stretch out and elongate, giving them an elliptical shape.

In HPP, which is a severe form of HE, the red blood cells are even more irregular and fragile than in HE. These abnormalities are caused by a more significant defect in the horizontal protein interactions within the cell membrane.

Mild cases of HE may only show a slight increase in reticulocytes, which are immature red blood cells, and a decrease in haptoglobin, a protein that binds to free hemoglobin.

Severe cases of HE can lead to extravascular hemolysis, which means destruction of red blood cells outside the bloodstream. This can cause symptoms like anemia, jaundice, and fatigue.

Peripheral blood smears are used to examine the shape and size of red blood cells. In mild cases of HE, more than 30% of the red blood cells appear as elliptocytes.

In HPP, red blood cells show increased thermal sensitivity, meaning they break down more easily when exposed to heat. They are also misshapen with budding, which are small projections on the cell surface.

A condition characterized by abnormally shaped red blood cells (acanthocytes) which have spiky projections due to lipid abnormalities.

An inherited condition where the body lacks the ability to produce and transport certain lipids properly, resulting in a buildup of cholesterol in the blood and affecting red blood cell membrane.

The metabolic process that produces energy for red blood cells in the absence of oxygen.

A group of metabolic processes within red blood cells, essential for the production of energy and protection from oxidative stress.

A common enzyme deficiency in the hexose monophosphate shunt pathway, involved in red blood cell protection from oxidative damage.

A deficiency of an enzyme vital for glucose utilization in red blood cells, leading to red blood cell breakdown and anemia.

The main pathway for energy production in red blood cells, undergoing a series of steps to convert glucose into energy.

Alternative metabolic pathways that provide additional energy and protection for red blood cells.

A genetic condition where red blood cells are abnormally susceptible to breakdown, especially when exposed to certain drugs, causing hemolytic anemia.

A severe form of a genetic disorder that affects hemoglobin production. People with thalassemia major experience a lifelong need for blood transfusions.

A disease that affects the blood stem cells, causing a deficiency in red blood cell production and an increased risk of blood clots due to abnormal red blood cell shape.

A rare inherited blood disorder affecting red blood cell membrane stability, causing abnormal shaped red blood cells that are prone to premature destruction.

A drug used to prevent malaria, often prescribed to travelers going to regions with malaria, can cause hemolytic anemia especially in individuals with G6PD deficiency.

Having an insufficient amount of healthy red blood cells, leading to fatigue and weakness.