Erythrocyte Physiology

Question 1

Hematocrit

Answer 1

Height of RBCs / total height (in centrifuged blood sample)

Question 2

Functions of blood (4)

Answer 2

Deliver nutrients and oxygen
remove waste products
maintain homeostasis
circulate hormones, immunoglobulins

Question 3

Composition of blood (2)

Answer 3

Plasma - solution component of blood: electrolytes, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, clotting factors
Formed elements - erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets

Question 4

Functions of erythrocytes (3)

Answer 4

Carry O2 from lungs to body
Carry CO2 from body to lungs
Acid/Base buffering

Question 5

HIF

Answer 5

Hypoxia inducible factor - transcription factor that upregulates production of erythropoietin in hypoxic conditions

Question 6

EPO stimulated by

Answer 6

HIF (TF)
Anemia
Low renal blood flow
Central hypoxia (high altitude, pulmonary disease)

Question 7

Regulation of Erythrocytes

Answer 7

Tissue oxygenation decreases EPO secretion, decreasing amount of RBCs produced
Important because too many RBCs will impede blood flow

Question 8

Hypochromic anemia

Answer 8

deficient transport of transferrin

Question 9

Oxygen capacity

Answer 9

maximum amount of oxygen that can be carried by hemoglobin in blood (all four hemes bound O2)

Question 10

Oxygen Saturation

Answer 10

how much oxygen is actually being carried by the blood ( 19.5 mL O2/dL)

Question 11

Oxygen content

Answer 11

Maximum capacity x saturation: Spots occupied by oxygen as a percentage of total available spots