Cardiovascular Flashcards
(598 cards)
What is the lifespan of erythrocytes?
100-120 days
What is the average size of erythrocytes?
-6.2-8.2um length
-2-2.5um wide
Where are erythrocytes found?
-Blood
-Bone marrow
What is the hormone that regulates the formation of erythrocytes?
-Erythropoietin
-Can use recombinant erythropoietin to boost RBC production
Why can erythrocytes not repair themselves?
-They are simple cells
-Anucleate and have no mitochondria
What is a young red blood cell known as?
Reticulocyte
What does a red blood cell consist of?
-Membrane enclosing
-Enzymes of glycolysis
-Haemoglobin
Why can haemoglobin not be allowed to travel in the blood by itself?
It would clog up the kidneys
What makes up haemoglobin?
-2 alpha chains
-2 beta chains
-4 haem groups
-Overall quaternary structure
What does haemoglobin do?
What does it transfer to in muscles?
Carries oxygen from the lungs to tissues where it transfers oxygen to myoglobin in muscles
What does oxygen bind to in haemoglobin?
Oxygen binds to Fe2+ in haem reversibly
What are the 4 major blood types?
-A
-B
-AB
-O
How many red blood cells are produced each minute and where?
2-3 million produced and released from the marrow every second
What is the shape of erythrocytes?
Biconcave
Approximately how many antigens do red blood cells have on their surface and how many are blood group antigens?
-Millions of antigens on their surface
-Several hundred are blood group antigens
Why is the ABO system so potently antigenic?
The ABO system is so potently antigenic because the corresponding antibodies to each antigen occur naturally
In what type of inheritance pattern are ABO antigens inherited?
Mendelian pattern
Name 3 facts about the inheritance of the ABO blood group:
-Each group has 25% chance of production from alleles
-Genes code for enzymes rather than for the sugar itself
-Another gene also codes for the sugar base the ‘A’ or the ‘B’
What makes up the H antigen?
-Glucose
-Galactose
-N-acetylglucosamine
-Galactose
-Fucose
How are the blood groups made from the H antigen and what are they called?
-A or B antigen is added onto the H antigen
-O blood group just has a H antigen
-“h” antigen has no H antigen
-Above called bombay
What is the approximate number of ABO antibodies at what ages?
-Infants <3 months will produce little to no antibodies (maternal prior to this)
-First true antibodies will be >3 months
-Maximal titre at 5-10 years
-Titre decreases with age
What are ABO antibodies a mixture of?
-IgM
-IgG
Which type of antibody are mainly for groups A and B?
IgM
Why are ABO antibodies able to react at 37 degrees?
They have a wide thermal range