WK 2A Red blood cells detailed

What is the primary function of red blood cells (erythrocytes)?

To transport oxygen from the lungs to respiring tissues and carry carbon dioxide back to the lungs….

What is the lifespan of a red blood cell?

Approximately 120 days.

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

It allows for greater surface area for gas exchange and flexibility to pass through small capillaries.

What percentage by volume do hemoglobin constitute in red blood cells?

About 25% by volume and 33% by weight….

What is the primary enzyme involved in maintaining iron in the reduced state within red blood cells?

G6PD (Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase).

What process do red blood cells primarily use for metabolism?

Anaerobic glycolysis. because rbc lack mitochondria therfore rbc break down glucose into pyruvate for atp and lactic acid as bypoduct. This process allows red blood cells to produce energy without utilizing oxygen.

What type of blood cells are formed in the bone marrow during erythropoiesis?

Nucleated red cells, which lose their nucleus before entering circulation.

What is erythropoietin (EPO) and where is it produced?

A cytokine/hormone that stimulates red blood cell production, produced in the kidneys.

What is the normal range of hemoglobin concentration in adult females?

125 to 150 grams per liter.

What is the characteristic of microcytic hypochromic anemia?

Red blood cells are smaller than normal and have less hemoglobin concentration…

What are some causes of macrocytic anemia?

Vitamin B12 deficiency and folate deficiency.,,

How are spherocytes formed in hereditary spherocytosis?

Due to loss of surface area , biconcave disk shape and membrane due to fragmentation by the spleen…

What clinical condition is characterized by elevated reticulocytes( developed from erythroblast but removes nucleus) in the blood?

Hemolytic anemia. (body destroying rbc faster than replacing them)

What occurs to red blood cells as they age and become less pliable(flexible)?

They are removed by macrophages in the spleen…..

What impact does iron deficiency have on the red blood cells?

It leads to microcytic hypochromic anemia, where red blood cells are smaller and less hemoglobinised…

What defines hemoglobin S in sickle cell disease?

A mutation in the beta-globin chain that causes ischaemia and red blood cells to become rigid and sickle-shaped under low oxygen leading to rapid breakdown of abnormal rbc by macrophage in the spleen for their sickle shape and rigidity.

What is the role of carbonic anhydrase in red blood cells?

It catalyses the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into carbonic acid, aiding in carbon dioxide transport….

How can anemia be classified?

Based on red cell size (microcytic, normocytic, macrocytic) and hemoglobin concentration (hypochromic, normochromic, hyperchromic)….

What happens during the typical reticulocyte response after acute blood loss?

Reticulocyte count increases as the bone marrow responds to produce more red blood cells…..

What is the major drawback of transfusing stored human blood?

Stored blood has lower levels of 2,3-DPG, leading to higher oxygen affinity and decreased oxygen release.

What is a consequence of a deficiency in G6PD?

Increased susceptibility to hemolytic anemia due to oxidative stress and build up of harmful substance

What are macrocytes and when are they typically seen?

Large red blood cells often seen in vitamin B12 or folate deficiency…..

How does the structure of hemoglobin aid in oxygen transport?

It allows for reversible binding of oxygen to iron in the heme group.,,,

What is the physiological impact of increased levels of 2,3-DPG in red blood cells?

Decreased hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen, promoting oxygen release in tissues…

What is the mechanism of anemia in chronic disease?

Due to impaired iron metabolism and erythropoiesis despite adequate iron stores.chronic conditions can lead to anemia through mechanisms that do not rely on the availability of iron itself. This includes the effects of inflammatory cytokines that inhibit erythropoietin production and alter iron transport.

What is autoimmune hemolytic anemia?

Anemia caused by antibodies that target and destroy the body's own red blood cells….

What is the clinical significance of elevated bilirubin levels in hemolytic anemia?

It indicates increased destruction of red blood cells and the breakdown of hemoglobin…

What can reticulocyte count indicate in an anemic patient?

It can indicate whether the bone marrow is responding appropriately to anemia…

What physiological change occurs in bone marrow during thalassemia (low haemoglobin production)?

Ineffective erythropoiesis due to an imbalance of globin chain production.

How does sickle cell trait provide a selective advantage in malaria-endemic regions?

Heterozygotes for sickle cell have some protection against malaria infection.

What are Heinz bodies?

Precipitated oxidized hemoglobin that can form in conditions such as G6PD deficiency.

What effect does chronic bleeding have on red blood cell production?

Chronic bleeding leads to iron deficiency and ultimately to microcytic anemia.

What happens to red blood cells in autoimmune hemolytic anemia?

They develop antibodies against themselves and are prematurely removed by the spleen.

What is the genetic basis of beta thalassemia?

Mutations in genes responsible for producing beta globin chains, leading to inadequate hemoglobin production.

What key roles does hemoglobin play in the blood?

It transports oxygen, carries carbon dioxide back to the lungs, and acts as a buffer for pH.

In what type of anemia might you see schistocytes?

In microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, due to fragmentation of red blood cells.

What is the relationship between erythropoietin and hypoxia?

Erythropoietin is produced by the kidneys in response to low oxygen levels and stimulates red blood cell production.

How does chronic hemolysis affect the reticulocyte count?

It can lead to an increased reticulocyte count as the marrow attempts to compensate for the loss.

What is the normal mean corpuscular volume (MCV) range for adult red blood cells?

80 to 101 femtoliters.

What might a patient with iron deficiency anemia present with?

Fatigue, pallor, and weakness among other symptoms.

What prevents the oxidation of iron in hemoglobin during oxygen transport?

Metabolism within red blood cells, maintaining iron in its reduced ferrous state.

What is the expected outcome after iron supplementation in patients with iron deficiency anemia?

An increase of approximately 10 grams of hemoglobin per liter over a week.

What are dacrocytes and in which condition are they often seen?

Teardrop-shaped red blood cells seen in cases of bone marrow infiltration and extramedullary hematopoiesis.

How does hereditary spherocytosis typically affect red blood cell shape?

It leads to the formation of spherical red blood cells instead of biconcave discs.

What can trigger a sickle cell crisis in patients?

Dehydration, infection, or low oxygen supply.

What are the distinctive features of normocytic anemias?

Red blood cells are of normal size but decreased in number.

What type of anemia is typically present in patients with chronic diseases?

Anemia of chronic disease, which is usually normocytic and normochromic.

What is a common treatment for patients suffering from beta thalassemia?

Regular blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy.

What diagnostic procedure can identify hemoglobinopathies effectively?

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

What is the potential impact of hemoglobin F in thalassemia treatment?

Intriguingly, hemoglobin F can act as a substitute for beta chains, offering some functionality.

How is anemia quantitatively monitored in practice?

By assessing hemoglobin levels and red cell indices.

What is the main challenge in using artificial red blood cells?

Creating a product that effectively mimics all the functions of natural red blood cells.

What is the primary function of red blood cells (erythrocytes)?

To transport oxygen from the lungs to respiring tissues and carry carbon dioxide back to the lungs.

What is the lifespan of a red blood cell?

Approximately 120 days.

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

It allows for greater surface area for gas exchange and flexibility to pass through small capillaries.

What percentage by volume do hemoglobin constitute in red blood cells?

About 25% by volume and 33% by weight.

What is the primary enzyme involved in maintaining iron in the reduced state within red blood cells?

G6PD (Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase).

What process do red blood cells primarily use for metabolism?

Anaerobic glycolysis.

What type of blood cells are formed in the bone marrow during erythropoiesis?

Nucleated red cells, which lose their nucleus before entering circulation.

What is erythropoietin (EPO) and where is it produced?

A cytokine that stimulates red blood cell production, produced in the kidneys.

What is the normal range of hemoglobin concentration in adult females?

125 to 150 grams per liter.

What is the characteristic of microcytic hypochromic anemia?

Red blood cells are smaller than normal and have less hemoglobin concentration.

What are some causes of macrocytic anemia?

Vitamin B12 deficiency and folate deficiency.

How are spherocytes formed in hereditary spherocytosis?

Due to loss of surface area and membrane due to fragmentation by the spleen.

What clinical condition is characterized by elevated reticulocytes in the blood?

Hemolytic anemia.

What occurs to red blood cells as they age and become less pliable?

They are removed by macrophages in the spleen.

What impact does iron deficiency have on the red blood cells?

It leads to microcytic hypochromic anemia, where red blood cells are smaller and less hemoglobinized.

What defines hemoglobin S in sickle cell disease?

A mutation in the beta-globin chain that causes red blood cells to become rigid and sickle-shaped under low oxygen conditions.

What is the role of carbonic anhydrase in red blood cells?

It catalyzes the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into carbonic acid, aiding in carbon dioxide transport.

How can anemia be classified?

Based on red cell size (microcytic, normocytic, macrocytic) and hemoglobin concentration (hypochromic, normochromic, hyperchromic).

What happens during the typical reticulocyte response after acute blood loss?

Reticulocyte count increases as the bone marrow responds to produce more red blood cells.

What is the major drawback of transfusing stored human blood?

Stored blood has lower levels of 2,3-DPG, leading to higher oxygen affinity and decreased oxygen release.

What is a consequence of a deficiency in G6PD?

Increased susceptibility to hemolytic anemia due to oxidative stress.

What are macrocytes and when are they typically seen?

Large red blood cells often seen in vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.

How does the structure of hemoglobin aid in oxygen transport?

It allows for reversible binding of oxygen to iron in the heme group.

What is the physiological impact of increased levels of 2,3-DPG in red blood cells?

Decreased hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen, promoting oxygen release in tissues.

What is the mechanism of anemia in chronic disease?

Due to impaired iron metabolism and erythropoiesis despite adequate iron stores.

What is autoimmune hemolytic anemia?

Anemia caused by antibodies that target and destroy the body's own red blood cells.

What is the clinical significance of elevated bilirubin levels in hemolytic anemia?

It indicates increased destruction of red blood cells and the breakdown of hemoglobin.

What can reticulocyte count indicate in an anemic patient?

It can indicate whether the bone marrow is responding appropriately to anemia.

What physiological change occurs in bone marrow during thalassemia?

Ineffective erythropoiesis due to an imbalance of globin chain production.

How does sickle cell trait provide a selective advantage in malaria-endemic regions?

Heterozygotes for sickle cell have some protection against malaria infection.

What are Heinz bodies?

Precipitated oxidized hemoglobin that can form in conditions such as G6PD deficiency.

What effect does chronic bleeding have on red blood cell production?

Chronic bleeding leads to iron deficiency and ultimately to microcytic anemia.

What happens to red blood cells in autoimmune hemolytic anemia?

They develop antibodies against themselves and are prematurely removed by the spleen.

What is the genetic basis of beta thalassemia?

Mutations in genes responsible for producing beta globin chains, leading to inadequate hemoglobin production.

What key roles does hemoglobin play in the blood?

It transports oxygen, carries carbon dioxide back to the lungs, and acts as a buffer for pH.

In what type of anemia might you see schistocytes?

In microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, due to fragmentation of red blood cells.

What is the relationship between erythropoietin and hypoxia?

Erythropoietin is produced by the kidneys in response to low oxygen levels and stimulates red blood cell production.

How does chronic hemolysis affect the reticulocyte count?

It can lead to an increased reticulocyte count as the marrow attempts to compensate for the loss.

What is the normal mean corpuscular volume (MCV) range for adult red blood cells?

80 to 101 femtoliters.

What might a patient with iron deficiency anemia present with?

Fatigue, pallor, and weakness among other symptoms.

What prevents the oxidation of iron in hemoglobin during oxygen transport?

Metabolism within red blood cells, maintaining iron in its reduced ferrous state.

What is the expected outcome after iron supplementation in patients with iron deficiency anemia?

An increase of approximately 10 grams of hemoglobin per liter over a week.

What are dacrocytes and in which condition are they often seen?

Teardrop-shaped red blood cells seen in cases of bone marrow infiltration and extramedullary hematopoiesis.

How does hereditary spherocytosis typically affect red blood cell shape?

It leads to the formation of spherical red blood cells instead of biconcave discs.

What can trigger a sickle cell crisis in patients?

Dehydration, infection, or low oxygen supply.

What are the distinctive features of normocytic anemias?

Red blood cells are of normal size but decreased in number.

What type of anemia is typically present in patients with chronic diseases?

Anemia of chronic disease, which is usually normocytic and normochromic.

What is a common treatment for patients suffering from beta thalassemia?

Regular blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy.