Red Blood Cells

Question 1

What are RBC’s also known as?

Answer 1

Erythrocytes

Question 2

How are Erythrocytes Produced?

Answer 2

via erythropoiesis

Question 3

Where are Erythrocytes Produced and How?

Answer 3

in the bone marrow
- cell size decreases, loses RNA and DNA
- colour change from blue to red
- leaves bone marrow
- nuclei destroyed by macrophages

cell becomes a reticulocyte
after couple days = erthrocyte

Question 4

Which Hormone Enhances Erythropoiesis?

Answer 4

Testosterone

Question 5

Which Vitamins are Particularly Needed in Erythropoiesis?

Answer 5

Vitamin B12+B9

Question 6

List Features and their Advantages from the Morphology of Erythrocytes. (5)

Answer 6

• haemoglobin - carry oxygen
• no mitochondria - more volume for Haemoglobin
• no nucleus - same
• biconcave shape - surface area and flexibility
• 2 alpha chains, 2 beta chains, 4 haem groups

Question 7

How Large are Erythrocytes and Why?

Answer 7

7.5micrometers in diameter when capillaries are 8micrometers
- allows more surface area for gaseous exchnage

Question 8

What is a ‘Porphyrin’?

Answer 8

the ring like compound, how erythrocytes are structured
- iron sits in the middle

Question 9

What are the 3 Types of Haemoglobin?

Answer 9

HbA = most common
HbA2 = small amounts
HbF = foetal haemoglobin

when oxygenated = red
when deoxygenated = blue

Question 10

What is the Life Span of Erythrocytes?

Answer 10

100-120 days

Question 11

What is the name for RBC death?

Answer 11

Eryptosis

Question 12

What Hormone is Released when Erythrocytes are being Destroyed, Why and Where From?

Answer 12

Erythropoietin is released from the kidneys

• in response to hypoxia
• it stimulates rapid maturation of RBC’s

Question 13

Describe Eryptosis. (4)

Answer 13

• change on the erythrocyte membrane
• detected and engulfed by macrophages
• divided into globin and haem
• destroyed by macrophages in liver, spleen and bone marrow

Question 14

What Happens to the Globin during Eryptosis?

Answer 14

broken down into it’s amino acids and reused

Question 15

What Happens to the Haem during Eryptosis and How does it Leave the Body?

Answer 15

broken down into Biliverdin, CO2 and Fe by haem oxidase
- Biliverdin appears green in bruises

Biliverdin broken down into Bilirubin
- in the liver
- stored in the gall bladder

Bilirubin released into the intestines
- transformed into urobilinogen by bacteria

some remains as sterocobilin
- excreted in faeces
some sent to kidneys as urobilin
- excreted as urine

Question 16

Iron is Released from Haem During Eryptosis, what Happens to it?

Answer 16

binds to tranferrin
- becomes unreactive
- transported to the liver
- becomes ferritin
- binds to aluminum and stored in the gall bladder
- moves out and recirculated

Question 17

Define Anaemia

Answer 17

decrease in a number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity

Question 18

What are the 3 Main Causes of Anaemia?

Answer 18

• excess blood loss
• excess RBC destruction
• deficient RBC production

Question 19

What are the Common Underlying Causes behind Anaemia (5)

Answer 19

• dietary
• blood loss
• malabsorption
• pregnancy
• parasitosis

Question 20

Give some Signs and Symptoms to Anaemia (8)

Answer 20

• fatigue
• paleness
• irritable
• light headed
• poor wound healing
• candida infections
• glossitis
• recurring mouth ulcers

Question 21

Define Pernicious Anaemia.

Answer 21

RBC count drops as intestines cannot properly absorb vitamin B12

Question 22

What are the Common Causes of Pernicious Anaemia (4)

Answer 22

• autoimmune disease
• tapeworm
• diet
• celiac

Question 23

What are the Symptoms of Pernicious Anaemia? (8)

Answer 23

• tired
• parasthesia
• dyspepsia
• depression
• weight loss
• neurological
• glossitis
• angular cheilitis

Question 24

How do you Treat Pernicious Anaemia?

Answer 24

• B12 injections
• oral supplements

Question 25

What is Haemoglobinopathies?

Answer 25

a group of recessively inherited genetic conditions affecting the haemoglobin component of blood

Question 26

What is Sickle Cell Anaemia?

Answer 26

• haemoglobin is abnormal
  = red blood cells = hard and sticky
• look like a C-shape called a “sickle”

Question 27

How does Sickle Cell Anaemia affect Haemoglobin?

Answer 27

change in amino acid from Glutamine to Valine on position 6

on the beta chain of chromosome 11

= sickle cell

Question 28

What are the Problems of Sickle Cell Anaemia?

Answer 28

• cause haem molecules to polymerise and clumo
• cant carry oxygen

Question 29

How is Sickle Cell Anaemia Inherited? How does this Affect Malaria?

Answer 29

autosomal recessive

• if you are a heterozygote, offers protection against malaria as you cant carry infection

Question 30

How is Sickle Cell Anaemia Treated?

Answer 30

Hydroxyurea to increase HbF production

Question 31

Difference between Sickle Cell Anaemia and Thallassaemia

Answer 31

SCA = qualitative
Th = quantitative

Question 32

What is Thalassaemia and the Two Types?

Answer 32

inherited when the body doesn’t make enough haemoglobin

alpha - reduction of alpha unit production
alpha unit = 2 genes, 4 alleles
lose 1 = no problem
lose 2 = mild anaemia
lose 3 = severe anaemia
lose 4 = incompatible with life

beta - reduction of beta unit production
beta unit = 1 gene, 2 alelles
- varying severity

• when the extra units clump together = abnormal RBC

Question 33

What is Haemolytic Anaemia?

Answer 33

when there is more destruction of RBC than production