HAEMATOLOGICAL PATHOLOGY

Question 1

What is haematology?

Answer 1

Haematology is the study of blood

Question 2

Name the 3 cell components of blood

Answer 2

1. Erythrocytes (RBC)
2. Leukocytes (WBC)
3. Platelets

Question 3

What are the components of blood when it is centrifuged? (List from top to bottom)

Answer 3

Top: Plasma
Middle: Buffy coat (WBC and Platelets)
Bottom: Red Blood Cells

Question 4

Define Haematopoiesis

Answer 4

The process by which blood cells are ade

Question 5

Where are blood cells made in adults?

Answer 5

In the bone marrow

Question 6

Where are blood cells made during fetal life?

Answer 6

In the yolk sac, liver and spleen

Question 7

Where are blood cells produced from birth till 5 years

Answer 7

In red bone marrow

Question 8

How is a progenitor cell different from stem cells?

Answer 8

Progenitor cells can differentiate into a limited number of specialized cells.

Question 9

Name 3 Lymphoid stem cells

Answer 9

1. B lymphocyte
2. T lymphocyte
3. Natural Killer Cell

Question 10

Name 3 myeloid stem cells and what they give rise to

Answer 10

1. Granulocyte: neutrophil, basophils, eosinophils, monocytes
2. Erythroid: RBC
3. Megakaryocyte: Platelets

Question 11

What is the life span of RBC?

Answer 11

120 days

Question 12

What is the lifespan of platelets?

Answer 12

7-10 days

Question 13

What are the 4 categories of haematological diseases

Answer 13

1. Anaemias
2. Haematological malignancies
3. Haemostatic defects
4. Transfusion medicine

Question 14

What is the function of erythrocytes?

Answer 14

Carrier of oxygen and carbon dioxide

Question 15

What regulates erythropoiesis and where is it produced?

Answer 15

The protein erythropoietin regulates erythropoiesis and is produced primarily in the kidney and secondarily in the liver

Question 16

Define aneamia

Answer 16

The decrease in haemoglobin below the normal range for the age and sex of the patient

Question 17

Mention 5 symptoms of an anaemic patient

Answer 17

1. Shortness of breath
2. Palpitations
3. Headaches
4. Weakness
5. Lethargy

Question 18

What underlying disease can cause anaemia?

Answer 18

1. Jaundice
2. Bone deformities
3. Leg Ulcers

Question 19

What are the causes of anaemia (3)?

Answer 19

1. Decreased red blood cell production
2. Increased red blood cell destruction
3. Large blood loss

Question 20

Describe how RBC is produced (3)

Answer 20

1. Normocytes in bone marrow undergo differentiation
2. Reticulocytes are released into the peripheral blood
3. RBC will mature in 1-2 days

Question 21

In which part of bone marrow are blood cells and fat cells made respectively?

Answer 21

Blood cells - Red marrow

Fat cells - Yellow marrow

Question 22

How do pathologists get bone marrow (2)?

Answer 22

1. Bone marrow aspiration (fluid)

2. Bone marrow trephine (tissue)

Question 23

What is the function of the spleen? (2)

Answer 23

1. Controls red blood cell integrity

2. Immune response

Question 24

What is another name for platelets?

Answer 24

Thrombocytes

Question 25

What protein controls the process of thrombopoiesis/megakaryopoiesis?

Answer 25

Thrombopoietin

Question 26

Define thrombocytopenia

Answer 26

Decreased platelet mass, which leads to an increase in unbound thrombopoietin

Question 27

Name 5 main causes of thrombocytopenia

Answer 27

1. Decreased platelet production 2. Increased platelet consumption 3. Abnormal platelet distribution 4. Platelet clumping 5. Bone marrow failure

Question 28

Define thrombocytosis

Answer 28

An excessive number of platelets in the blood leads to a decrease in unbound thrombopoietin which decreases thrombopoiesis

Question 29

Name 3 causes for thrombocytosis

Answer 29

1. Surgery 2. Chronic myeloid leukemia 3. Inflammatory disease

Question 30

What is the function of platelets?

Answer 30

Form a platelet plug/clot when the endothelium is damaged

Question 31

Name the platelet membrane structure responsible for platelet aggregation

Answer 31

Glycoprotein 2b/3a

Question 32

Name the platelet membrane structure responsible for platelet adhesion

Answer 32

Glycoprotein 1b/5/9 - von Willebrand factor receptor