Blood 1 Flashcards
(8 cards)
0
Q
What is the most abundant blood cell?
A
Red blood cells
1
Q
What are the 5 functions of blood?
A
- Transport of nutrients, gases (CO2 & O2), waste products, hormones
- Maintains pH and ion composition of ECL
- Heat distribution
- Defence against pathogens
- Restriction of fluid loss during injury
2
Q
What is the main function of red blood cells?
A
Carriage of oxygen (and, less importantly, carbon dioxide) in the blood
3
Q
How many oxygen molecules can haemoglobin carry?
A
4
4
Q
What is the structure of haemoglobin?
A
- 2 alpha + 2 beta subunits
- Contains 4 heme groups
- Each heme binds to one oxygen
5
Q
What is the calculation to work out % saturation?
A
% saturation = 100 x {HbO2} / [Hb]+ [ HBO2]
6
Q
How are red blood cell numbers regulated?
A
- Tissue hypoxia
- Kidneys secrete erythropietin (EPO)
- EPO stimulates formation of red blood cells in bone marrow
- Increased red blood cell numbers
- Increased oxygen carrying capacity of blood
7
Q
What does agglutination mean?
A
‘Clumping’
