M17: Blood

What are the general functions of blood?

Transport, buffering, defense, and clotting.

What are the two main components of blood?

Plasma and formed elements.

What percentage of plasma is water?

More than 90%.

What is the role of albumins in blood plasma?

Regulate osmolarity and function as carrier molecules.

What are globulins in blood plasma?

Proteins that function as carrier proteins.

What is the purpose of clotting factors in blood?

They play an essential role in blood clotting.

What does a Complete Blood Count (CBC) measure?

It measures the number of white/red blood cells, hemoglobin mass, hematocrit, and other blood parameters.

What is the mean corpuscular volume (MCV)?

It approximates the size of a typical red blood cell.

What is the structure of erythrocytes (red blood cells)?

Biconcave shape that allows bending and stacking, increasing surface area for gas exchange.

What is erythropoiesis?

The process of red blood cell formation.

What signals the release of erythropoietin (EPO)?

Hypoxia and testosterone.

What is the Bohr Effect?

Oxygen is more readily released from hemoglobin when carbon dioxide concentration increases and pH decreases.

What is the Haldane Effect?

Hemoglobin has less affinity for carbon dioxide when oxygen concentration is high.

What is the composition of hemoglobin?

Globular protein formed from 2 alpha and 2 beta chains (or gamma chains in fetuses).

What is oxyhemoglobin?

Hemoglobin bound to oxygen.

What is deoxyhemoglobin?

Hemoglobin with no oxygen bound.

What is the danger of carbon monoxide in relation to hemoglobin?

Carbon monoxide competes for the same binding site as oxygen and has a higher binding affinity.

What is sickle cell anemia?

A disease characterized by the presence of abnormal hemoglobin, leading to distorted red blood cells.

What is the most common heritable blood disorder?

Sickle cell disease

What causes sickle cell disease?

A single point mutation in the beta globin gene

Why is the sickle cell mutation prevalent in malaria-endemic regions?

It provides a survival advantage against malaria.

What effect does the sickle cell mutation have on red blood cells?

It causes mis-folded beta chains, polymerization of hemoglobin, and changes the shape of RBCs.

What are the consequences of sickled red blood cells?

They are prone to clogging and have a decreased ability to unload oxygen.

What happens to heme during the recycling of erythrocytes?

Heme is converted to biliverdin, then bilirubin, which is transported to the liver.

What is the fate of iron from erythrocytes?

Iron is bound to transferrin and transported to the bone marrow for erythropoiesis.

What are leukocytes?

Cells of the immune system.

What are the two main classifications of leukocytes?

Granulocytes and agranulocytes.

What percentage of leukocytes are neutrophils?

50-70%

What are the characteristics of neutrophils?

They have bi-lobed nuclei and are efficient killers of bacteria.

What do eosinophils primarily combat?

Multicellular parasites and contribute to allergies.

What is the role of basophils in the immune response?

They secrete histamine and contribute to allergic reactions.

What are the two types of agranulocytes?

Lymphocytes and monocytes.

What is the function of B-lymphocytes?

They are responsible for producing antibodies.

What is infectious mononucleosis commonly known as?

The 'kissing disease.'

What virus is most commonly responsible for infectious mononucleosis?

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

What are the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis?

Flu-like symptoms and enlarged T cells.

What is the treatment for infectious mononucleosis?

There is no specific treatment; it usually resolves in a few weeks.

What determines blood type in the ABO system?

Carbohydrate markers on the plasma membrane of erythrocytes.

What is the universal donor blood type?

O-

What is the universal recipient blood type?

AB+

What causes hemolytic disease of the newborn?

The mother's immune system attacks fetal RBCs due to Rh incompatibility.

What is the treatment for hemolytic disease of the newborn?

Injection of anti-Rh antibodies into the mother.

What is hemostasis?

The process of stopping blood loss.

What occurs during the vascular spasm phase of hemostasis?

Smooth muscle constricts to limit blood flow.

What is the role of platelets during the platelet phase of hemostasis?

They adhere to the site of damage and form a platelet plug.

What is the coagulation phase in hemostasis?

Reinforcement of the platelet plug by a web-like protein mesh formed by fibrin.