Hematology: RBCs and WBCs

Question 1

Characteristics of Blood cells

Answer 1

-Connective tissue

-Transports substances throughout the body & helps to maintain a stable internal environment

Question 2

Erythrocytes

Answer 2

-Biconcave disks

-Contain 1/3 oxygen carrying hemoglobin

Question 3

When oxygen combines with hemoglobin

Answer 3

The resulting oxyhemoglobin is bright red

Question 4

Temperature of blood

Answer 4

38 C

Question 5

pH of blood

Answer 5

7.35 to 7.45

Question 6

Average volume of blood

Answer 6

5-6 liters (11 pints)

Question 7

Amount/body weight of blood

Answer 7

8% of body weight

Question 8

Composition of blood

Answer 8

-55% liquid portion (serum/plasma)

-45% formed elements

Question 9

Blood includes

Answer 9

-RBCs

-WBCs

-Platelets

-Plasma

Question 10

Blood hematocrit

Answer 10

Normally 45% cells and 55% plasma

Question 11

Plasma

Answer 11

Mixture of:
-Water

-Amino acids

-Proteins

-Carbohydrates

-Lipids

-Vitamins

-Hormones

-Electrolytes

-Cellular wastes

Question 12

Number of RBCs is a measure of

Answer 12

The blood’s oxygen carrying capacity

Question 13

Typical RBC count

Answer 13

-Males: 4.6 mill to 6.2 mill cells per mm3

-Females: 4.5 mill to 5.1 mill cells per mm3

Question 14

Embryo and fetus

Answer 14

RBC production occurs in the yolk sac, liver, and spleen

Question 15

Adult RBC production

Answer 15

Occurs in the red bone marrow

Question 16

Average lifespan of RBC

Answer 16

120 days

Question 17

Total number of RBCs remains…

Answer 17

Relatively constant due to a negative feedback mechanism utilizing the hormone erythropoietin

Question 18

When is erythropoietin released

Answer 18

Released in response to low oxygen levels detected in the kidneys and liver

Question 19

Intrinsic factor

Answer 19

Produced by stomach parietal cells; aids vitamin B12 absorption in small intestine

Question 20

What is needed for hemoglobin synthesis

Answer 20

Iron

Question 21

Erythropoietin

Answer 21

Hypoxia induces kidneys to increase erythropoietin secretion

Question 22

What is needed for DNA synthesis

Answer 22

Vitamins B12 and folic acid

Question 23

Protein

Answer 23

Amino acids = globin

Question 24

Erythropoiesis

Answer 24

-The nucleus is large in the primitive stages and reduces in size as the cell matures

-Eventually the nucleus is extruded

Question 25

Normal reticulocyte count in peripheral blood

Answer 25

About 1%; useful indication of erythropoiesis

Question 26

Each heme consists of…

Answer 26

-1 iron atom surrounded by thousands of atoms of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and sulfur

Question 27

The iron atom provides the

Answer 27

Provides the binding site for the oxygen, thus allowing four atoms of oxygen to bond to each atom of iron

Question 28

What gives blood its red color

Answer 28

The iron in the heme of the molecule; allows hemoglobin to bind well with oxygen

Question 29

Each heme group is encased

Answer 29

Encased in a group of amino acids, collectively called the globin portion

Question 30

Alpha and Beta

Answer 30

Two types of protein chains in each hemoglobin molecule

Question 31

Each whole hemoglobin protein structure contains

Answer 31

Contains two of each type of protein strand with one heme bound to each strand

Question 32

Heme can bind with oxygen

Answer 32

It is only in combination with these specific protein groups