A&P 2- Red Blood Cells: Production and Breakdown
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38 Terms
About what percentage of circulating RBCs are replaced each day?
About 1%.
About how many new RBCs enter the bloodstream each second?
About 3 million.
What is the approximate lifespan of an RBC?
About 120 days.
About how far may an RBC travel during its lifespan?
About 700 miles.
Are RBCs continuously destroyed and replaced?
Yes. They are destroyed and replaced constantly at approximately the same rate.
What is erythropoiesis?
The production of red blood cells.
Where does erythropoiesis occur?
In red bone marrow.
What are the stages of RBC production listed in the slides?
Hemocytoblast → myeloid stem cell → proerythroblast → erythroblast stages → reticulocyte → mature erythrocyte.
What is a reticulocyte?
An immature RBC that enters the bloodstream and then matures into an erythrocyte.
What nutrients are required for erythropoiesis?
Amino acids, iron, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid.
Which hormones are listed as influencing erythropoiesis?
Thyroxine, androgens, growth hormone, and erythropoietin.
What is erythropoietin (EPO)?
A hormone that stimulates red blood cell production.
Where is EPO released from?
The kidneys.
What triggers EPO release?
Hypoxia, or low oxygen.
What does EPO do to erythroblasts?
It stimulates erythroblast cell division.
How does EPO affect hemoglobin synthesis and RBC maturation?
It accelerates hemoglobin synthesis and RBC maturation.
What examples of blood doping are listed?
EPO and packed RBCs.
Why is iron important for RBC production?
Iron is needed for hemoglobin and oxygen binding.
What can iron deficiency contribute to?
Anemia.
What happens to RBC production during hypoxia?
The kidneys release more EPO, increasing RBC production.
How are old or damaged RBCs removed?
By phagocytosis.
Which cells remove old or damaged RBCs?
Macrophages.
Where are macrophages involved in RBC turnover found?
In the spleen, liver, and red bone marrow.
What happens to hemoglobin when old RBCs are broken down?
Hemoglobin is separated into its components.
What happens to the globin protein during hemoglobin breakdown?
It is broken into amino acids that can be reused.
What happens to heme pigment during breakdown?
It is converted to biliverdin and then bilirubin.
What color is biliverdin?
Greenish.
What color is bilirubin?
Yellow-orange.
How is bilirubin excreted?
The liver excretes it in bile.
What can a buildup of bilirubin cause?
Jaundice.
What are bilirubin breakdown products in the intestine?
Urobilins and stercobilins.
What happens to heme iron after RBC breakdown?
It is recycled.
Where can recycled iron be stored?
In phagocytes.
How can recycled iron travel through the bloodstream?
Bound to transferrin.
What is anemia?
A low RBC count or low hemoglobin.
What five types of anemia are listed?
Hemolytic, pernicious, aplastic, iron-deficiency, and hemorrhagic anemia.
What is polycythemia?
A high RBC count.
What other blood-related conditions are listed at the end?
Hematuria and hemoglobinuria.