Term
| How many liters of blood on average does a human have? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are the 2 divisions of blood? |
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Definition
| Plasma and formed elements |
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Term
| What is the definition of hematocrit? What is the normal value? |
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Definition
| Hematocrit is the percent of blood volume that is composed of formed elements; on average it is ~45% |
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Term
| What, in general, does plasma consist of? |
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Definition
| Plasma consists of H2O in which is dissolved many solutes |
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Term
| What are the major solutes in plasma? |
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Definition
| Ions (Na, HCO3, K, Ca, H, etc...) and Organic substances (metabolites, hormones, enzymes, antibodies, proteins) |
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Term
| What are the 3 plasma protein categories? |
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Definition
| Fibrinogen, Albumins, Globulins |
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Term
| Where is fibrinogen produced and what is its function? |
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Definition
| A blood protein produced by the liver that is essential for blood clotting |
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Term
| Is albumin soluble in water? Where is it produced? |
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Definition
| Albumin is any protein that is soluble in water and in moderately concentrated salt solutions; it is produced by the liver |
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Term
| What are the 3 functions of albumins? |
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Definition
1. Plasma's colloidal osmotic pressure is due to albumins and is needed to cause H2O to enter the capillaries from surrounding tissues to help blood volume and pressure remain in homeostasis (more in blood = higher pressure)
2. Transport molecules for fatty acids, bilirubin, and some drugs
3. Carry hormones such as cortisol and thyroxine when the globulins that normally carry them become saturated |
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Term
| When do albumin levels decrease? |
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Definition
When the patient:
- is protein malnourished
- has serious inflammation
- has serious hepatic disease
- has serious renal disease |
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Term
| Are globulins soluble in water? What are the three categories of globulins? |
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Definition
| No; a globulin is any protein that is not soluble in water, but is soluble in saline solutions; they are divided into alpha, beta, and gamma globulins |
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Term
| What is the function of alpha and beta globulins? Where are they produced? |
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Definition
| Transport fat soluble vitamins and lipids; they are produced in the liver |
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Term
| What is the function of gamma globulins? Where are they produced? |
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Definition
| Antibodies that are produced by the lymphocytes and function in immunity |
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Term
| Describe the basic structure of an erythrocyte. |
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Definition
| A mature RBC is a non-nucleated, biconcave disc that is capable of bending into many shapes, depending on the size of the vessel through which it is passing |
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Term
| What is the main function of erythrocytes? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is the function of carbonic anhydrase in erythrocytes? |
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Definition
| An enzyme used to catalyze the reaction of transporting CO2 |
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Term
| What normal cell elements does an erythrocyte lack and why is this important? |
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Definition
| Lacks a nucleus, endoplasmic reticulae, and mitochondria; the lack of mitochondria means that they get their ATP from anaerobic processes |
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Term
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Definition
| Each erythrocyte contains a great deal of hemoglobin |
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Term
| Describe basic structure of hemoglobin. |
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Definition
| Each hemoglobin molecule is actually composed of 4 globin (protein) chains; each globin is bound to one heme, which contains an iron molecule, which is reddish in color; it is the "heme" group to which O2 and/or CO2 bind |
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Term
| Describe where erythrocytes are produced throughout the lifespan. |
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Definition
| 1st produced by cells in the yolk sac, but by the middle of prenatal development, they are mostly produced by the liver, although the spleen and lymph nodes play a role. In the last month of gestation, only produced by the bone marrow. From age 5-20, most of the long bones lose their ability to produce erythrocytes; after 20 years of age, only produced by parts of the tibia and humerus and in "membranous bones" such as sternum, ribs, and pelvis |
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Term
| Describe the role between oxygen and erythrocyte production |
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Definition
| Decreased O2 to tissues, due to anemia or high altitude, equals an increased production of erythrocytes |
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Term
| What is the function of growth inducers? |
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Definition
| The bone marrow produces pluripotential hematopoietic stem cells (undifferentiated) from which both erythrocytes and leukocytes form. These stem cells produce other stem cells which become exposed to proteins called "growth inducers". Whether or not these stem cells becomes and erythrocyte or leukocyte depends on the growth inducer to which it is exposed. |
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Term
| What is the function of interleukin-3? |
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Definition
| Causes the formation of the different types of stem cells that arise from the pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells |
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