haematology intro

Question 1

what are the main 3 functions of blood

Answer 1

transports(e.g. hormones, nutrients)
regulation (pH buffers, temperature)
protection (clotting, antibodies )

Question 2

what are the main physical properties of blood

Answer 2

-denser than water
-38*c and slightly alkaline
-bright red when saturated with oxygen, dark red when unsaturated
-sampled by venepuncture with a torniquet

Question 3

what is haemopoiesis

Answer 3

the formation of blood cells

Question 4

what type of feedback controls red blood cells count and platelet number

Answer 4

negative

Question 5

what is the colour difference between new born bone marrow and adult bone marrow

Answer 5

new born is red and adult is yellow

Question 6

what changes does acute leukaemia do to the bone marrow under the microscope

Answer 6

the marrow is filled with large leukemic blasts
- the cells are all immature and similar

Question 7

what changes does aplastic bone marrow do to the bone marrow under the microscope

Answer 7

in severe cases its profoundly hypocellular
- with lots of gas present

Question 8

what 2 subtypes of stem cells are produced by pluripotent stem cells

Answer 8

Myeloid stem cells & lymphoid stem cells

Question 9

what are Myeloid stem cells and where do they develop

Answer 9

they develop in red bone marrow
- they give rise to platelets, monocytes and basophils

Question 10

what are lymphoid stem cells and where do they develop

Answer 10

develop on red bone marrow
- they traverse and end in lymphatic tissues where they give rise to lymphocytes

Question 11

what is the lymphatic system

Answer 11

a network of small vessels which carry lymph

Question 12

what is lymph fluid and what’s its role in the body

Answer 12

• carry waste products around the body
• caries cells that are part of the immune system
• lymph vessels take fluid to lymph nodes

Question 13

what do some myeloid cells differentiate into

Answer 13

progenitor cells

Question 14

what do some precursor cells differentiate into

Answer 14

precursor cells

Question 15

can Progenitor cells reproduce

Answer 15

no

Question 16

what are Progenitor cells designated cell type that they form into

Answer 16

(CFU eg CFU-E)

Question 17

what do precursor cells develop into

Answer 17

the formed elements of the blood like red bull cells

Question 18

what are the main medical used of haemopoietic growth factors

Answer 18

• Recombinant growth factors
• Erythropoietin for kidney disease
• Granulocyte CSF for WBC
  formation after chemotherapy
• Thrombopoietin for chemotherapy
• Also used for clotting disorders & a
  range of neonatal disorders

Question 19

what is the other name of red blood cells

Answer 19

erythrocytes

Question 20

how many red blood cells are produced every second

Answer 20

2 million

Question 21

how many red blood cells are found on average in 1ml of blood

Answer 21

5 million

Question 22

what is the role of basophils

Answer 22

they release heparin, histamine and serotonin

Question 23

what is the role of eosinophils

Answer 23

they release histaminase

Question 24

what are the 6 main types of white blood cells

Answer 24

mast cells, macrophages, monocytes, neutrophils , basophils, eosinophils

Question 25

what are the characteristics of mast cells

Answer 25

- dilates blood cells and induces inflammation through the release of histamines - recruits macrophages and neutrophils

Question 26

what are the characteristics of macrophages

Answer 26

- phagocytic cell that consumes pathogens - stimulates the response of other immune cells

Question 27

what are the characteristics of monocytes

Answer 27

- differentiates into macrophages and dendritic cells in response to inflammation

Question 28

what are the characteristics of neutrophils

Answer 28

releases toxins to kill bacteria - also recruits other immune cells to the site of infection

Question 29

what are the characteristics of basophils

Answer 29

responsible for the defence against parasites - releases histamines that cause inflamation

Question 30

what are the characteristics of eosinophils

Answer 30

releases toxins that kill bacteria and parasites but also causes tissue damage

Question 31

what is a platelets lifespan

Answer 31

5-9 days

Question 32

what are platelets

Answer 32

Small anucleate parts of cells required for haemostasis

Question 33

what happens in blood vessels when an injury occurs

Answer 33

1- vascular spasm (arteries constrict to reduce blood flow) 2- platelet plug formation 3- blood clotting

Question 34

why are different stoppers used when obtaining a blood sample

Answer 34

- as the blood will be used for different tests so will be needed for different things - such as one stopper will stop the blood from clotting by removing the calcium from the blood

Question 35

what are the 6 main blood tests

Answer 35

full blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, coagulation screen, haematinic assays, immunophenotyping, genetic techniques

Question 36

what abnormalities could be found in red blood cell count numbers

Answer 36

fewer red blood cells - indicates anaemia too many red blood cells - indicates polycythaemia

Question 37

what abnormalities could be found in red blood cell shape (known as poikilocytosis)

Answer 37

elliptocytes - elongated cells schistocytes - tear drop shaped cells

Question 38

what abnormalities could be found in red blood cell size (known as anisocytosis)

Answer 38

Normocyte - normal size Macrocyte - larger than average Microcyte - smaller than average

Question 39

what does morphology mean in terms of blood film

Answer 39

refers to the examination of size shape and appearance of blood cells

Question 40

what abnormalities could be found in red blood cell colour

Answer 40

polychromasia - if cells are a different colour hypochromia - if cells are paler than normal (they contain less haemoglobin) hyper chromia - if cells are darker than normal (caused by an excess of haemoglobin)

Question 41

what is hypochromia and how is it caused

Answer 41

if cells are paler than normal (they contain less haemoglobin)

Question 42

what is hyper chromia

Answer 42

if cells are darker than normal (caused by an excess of haemoglobin)

Question 43

what does 'philia' mean

Answer 43

increase in number

Question 44

what does 'penia' mean

Answer 44

decrease in number

Question 45

what does pancytopenia mean

Answer 45

a lack of all cells

Question 46

what does neutropenia mean

Answer 46

a lack of neutrophils

Question 47

what does Eosinophilia mean

Answer 47

an increase in eosinophils