Blood

Question 1

Where are albumin, fibrinogen and most globulins synthesised?

Answer 1

In the liver.

Question 2

What is the role of albumin?

Answer 2

It transports insoluble substances like lipids and steroid hormones, as well as regulates the pH.

Question 3

What types of globulins there are in the blood?

Answer 3

Alpha and beta for transport and gamma for defence.

Question 4

What is special about gamma globulins?

Answer 4

They are synthesised in the lymphoid system.

Question 5

What is SPEP?

Answer 5

Serum protein electrophoresis is a laboratory technique that allows separation of proteins according to their size and electric charge by applying an electric current to them while they are in a gel.

Question 6

How does SPEP work?

Answer 6

As serum proteins are negatively charged in a basic pH, they move towards the + anode at a rate directly dependent on their net charge and inversely dependent on their size.

Question 7

What can SPEP tell?

Answer 7

Quantitative alterations in proteins, like hypoalbuminemia in liver failure or hypergammaglobulinea in infections.

Question 8

What is serum?

Answer 8

Plasm without fibrinogen and clotting proteins.

Question 9

What is volemia?

Answer 9

The total volume of blood?

Question 10

What is oncotic pressure?

Answer 10

The pressure exerted by proteins.

Question 11

What is viscosity of blood?

Answer 11

Flow resistance of blood. It is 4-5 times more than water’s due to cells and macromolecules.

Question 12

What is viscosity of plasma?

Answer 12

2 times more than viscosity of water.

Question 13

What is VSE?

Answer 13

Sedimentation rate = the rate at which RBCs fall when they are put to tube with anticoagulant.

Question 14

What is physiological pH for blood?

Answer 14

7.35-7.45.

Question 15

Where are blood cells formed in a fetus?

Answer 15

In liver and spleen.

Question 16

What is the active lifespan of RBC in cats?

Answer 16

73 d-

Question 17

What is the active lifespan of RBC in dogs?

Answer 17

100-115d.

Question 18

What is the active lifespan of RBC in goats?

Answer 18

115d-

Question 19

What is the active lifespan of RBC in cattle?

Answer 19

130d-

Question 20

What is the active lifespan of RBC in horses?

Answer 20

140-150d.

Question 21

What is the replacement rate of RBCs?

Answer 21

2.5 million per second.

Question 22

Where are damaged or dead RBCs removed from the blood stream?

Answer 22

In spleen, liver or bone marrow by macrophages.

Question 23

What controlls erythropoiesis?

Answer 23

Erythropoietin = EPO produced in the kidneys.

Question 24

What substances are necessary for erythropoiesis?

Answer 24

Proteins, vitamin B12 and B9, and iron.

Question 25

What can reticulocyte staining tell?

Answer 25

Whether anaemia is regenerative or non-regenerative.

Question 26

Describe how does erythropoiesis work?

Answer 26

Hypoxia stimulates EPO production in the kidneys which causes RBM to increase RBC production which increases the blood oxygen levels.

Question 27

What can be the causes of hypoxia stimulating kidneys?

Answer 27

Decreased n of RBC, decreased O2 availability or increased tissue demand for O2.

Question 28

What are polycythemia and anaemia?

Answer 28

Increase and decrease of RBCs.

Question 29

What is Hct?

Answer 29

Hematocrit = % of blood that is RBCs.

Question 30

What does Hct indicate?

Answer 30

RBC production and state of hydration.

Question 31

What are the causes of too high Hct?

Answer 31

Altitude - hypoxia, doping - EPO, polycythemia.

Question 32

What are the causes of too low Hct?

Answer 32

Anaemia, haemmorrhage, malaria, cancer, chemoterapy, radiation and drugs.

Question 33

What are the advantages of the biconcave shape of RBCs?

Answer 33

Greater surface area/volume increase gas exchange and flexibility allows passage through narrow capillaries.

Question 34

How many Hb’s there are per RBC?

Answer 34

280 million.