Blood Disorders - Anemia

Question 1

What is hematopoiesis?

Answer 1

The formation and development of blood cells.

Question 2

What are the raw materials needed for hematopoiesis?

Answer 2

Protein, vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron.

Question 3

What is hemoglobin made of?

Answer 3

Four subunits, each with a heme (porphyrin ring with iron) and globin (coiled protein).

Question 4

How is heme formed?

Answer 4

Porphyrin ring made in mitochondria + iron from transferrin.

Question 5

Where is globin synthesized?

Answer 5

By ribosomes.

Question 6

How is red cell production regulated?

Answer 6

By oxygen content in arterial blood, via erythropoietin from the kidneys.

Question 7

What is anemia?

Answer 7

A decrease in red blood cells or hemoglobin.

Question 8

What are the causes of anemia due to inadequate RBC production?

Answer 8

Lack of raw materials, bone marrow damage, or replacement by abnormal cells.

Question 9

What are the causes of anemia due to RBC loss?

Answer 9

Chronic blood loss or accelerated destruction.

Question 10

What are the types of anemia based on red cell size?

Answer 10

Normocytic, macrocytic, and microcytic.

Question 11

What are hypochromic and hypochromic microcytic anemias?

Answer 11

Low hemoglobin content; smaller size and low hemoglobin.

Question 12

What is the most common type of anemia?

Answer 12

Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA).

Question 13

What causes IDA?

Answer 13

Poor diet, rapid growth, chronic blood loss.

Question 14

How is IDA treated?

Answer 14

Identify and treat the cause; provide iron supplements.

Question 15

What vitamins are needed for cell maturation in hematopoiesis?

Answer 15

Vitamin B12 and folic acid.

Question 16

What is megaloblastic anemia?

Answer 16

Anemia due to vitamin B12/folate deficiency causing large, immature red cells.

Question 17

What can B12 deficiency cause beyond anemia?

Answer 17

Neurologic disturbances.

Question 18

What is required for B12 absorption?

Answer 18

Intrinsic factor from gastric mucosa.

Question 19

What causes pernicious anemia?

Answer 19

Autoimmune destruction of gastric mucosa, reducing intrinsic factor.

Question 20

What causes folic acid deficiency?

Answer 20

Poor diet, alcoholism, intestinal disease, pregnancy.

Question 21

What is aplastic anemia?

Answer 21

Bone marrow failure due to injury or replacement by tumor/fibrous tissue.

Question 22

What are hereditary hemolytic anemias?

Answer 22

Genetic disorders that reduce red cell survival (e.g., sickle cell, thalassemia).

Question 23

What is hereditary spherocytosis?

Answer 23

A cytoskeletal defect causing spherical, less flexible red cells.

Question 24

What is beta-thalassemia?

Answer 24

A genetic disorder with defective synthesis of beta globin chains.

Question 25

What are the two types of beta-thalassemia?

Answer 25

Minor (mild) and major (severe, often fatal in childhood).

Question 26

What is polycythemia?

Answer 26

Increased red cell mass and hemoglobin.

Question 27

What causes primary polycythemia (vera)?

Answer 27

JAK gene mutation causing marrow overproduction.

Question 28

What causes secondary polycythemia?

Answer 28

Low oxygen levels increasing erythropoietin (e.g., in emphysema).