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Hematology - Physiology
Physiology notes pertaining to hematology
23
Medical
Graduate
04/26/2014

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Term
How many liters of blood on average does a human have?
Definition
5L
Term
What are the 2 divisions of blood?
Definition
Plasma and formed elements
Term
What is the definition of hematocrit? What is the normal value?
Definition
Hematocrit is the percent of blood volume that is composed of formed elements; on average it is ~45%
Term
What, in general, does plasma consist of?
Definition
Plasma consists of H2O in which is dissolved many solutes
Term
What are the major solutes in plasma?
Definition
Ions (Na, HCO3, K, Ca, H, etc...) and Organic substances (metabolites, hormones, enzymes, antibodies, proteins)
Term
What are the 3 plasma protein categories?
Definition
Fibrinogen, Albumins, Globulins
Term
Where is fibrinogen produced and what is its function?
Definition
A blood protein produced by the liver that is essential for blood clotting
Term
Is albumin soluble in water? Where is it produced?
Definition
Albumin is any protein that is soluble in water and in moderately concentrated salt solutions; it is produced by the liver
Term
What are the 3 functions of albumins?
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
Term
When do albumin levels decrease?
Definition
When the patient:
- is protein malnourished
- has serious inflammation
- has serious hepatic disease
- has serious renal disease
Term
Are globulins soluble in water? What are the three categories of globulins?
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
Term
What is the function of alpha and beta globulins? Where are they produced?
Definition
Transport fat soluble vitamins and lipids; they are produced in the liver
Term
What is the function of gamma globulins? Where are they produced?
Definition
Antibodies that are produced by the lymphocytes and function in immunity
Term
Describe the basic structure of an erythrocyte.
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
Term
What is the main function of erythrocytes?
Definition
Transport O2 and CO2
Term
What is the function of carbonic anhydrase in erythrocytes?
Definition
An enzyme used to catalyze the reaction of transporting CO2
Term
What normal cell elements does an erythrocyte lack and why is this important?
Definition
Lacks a nucleus, endoplasmic reticulae, and mitochondria; the lack of mitochondria means that they get their ATP from anaerobic processes
Term
Why is blood red?
Definition
Each erythrocyte contains a great deal of hemoglobin
Term
Describe basic structure of hemoglobin.
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
Term
Describe where erythrocytes are produced throughout the lifespan.
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
Term
Describe the role between oxygen and erythrocyte production
Definition
Decreased O2 to tissues, due to anemia or high altitude, equals an increased production of erythrocytes
Term
What is the function of growth inducers?
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.
Term
What is the function of interleukin-3?
Definition
Causes the formation of the different types of stem cells that arise from the pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells
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