Lesson 7 Flashcards
(17 cards)
What is the function of a red blood cell? Describe how its structure helps it do its job.
The function of the red blood cell is to transport oxygen. Being round in shape and biconcave allows the red blood cell to flow easily within the blood vessels and to squeeze through tiny capillaries. Mature red blood cells contain no nucleus which allows for more space in the cell.
What is hemoglobin? Where is it found? What is its role?
Hemoglobin is a chemical substance found within the periphery of the red blood cell. It contains both a heme group and a globulin (protein). It is the heme component that contains iron which acts to bind loosely with oxygen. Hemoglobin gives the red blood cell its colour.
Where are red blood cells formed, and what is the name of the cell that they are formed from
Red blood cells are produced in red bone marrow from stem cells which are special red bone marrow cells.
Where and how are red blood cells destroyed?
Red blood cells are destroyed in the liver and spleen by phagocytic cells called macrophages.
List three blood disorders and briefly describe each.
Three common blood disorders associated with the red blood cell are anemia, hemolytic anemia and sickle cell anemia.
Anemia occurs when there are too few red blood cells, not enough hemoglobin, low iron or deficiencies in folic acid and Vitamin B12.
Hemolytic anemia results when red blood cells rupture.
Sickle cell anemia is a hereditary condition in which the red blood cell is not round but sickle-shaped, causing the cell to have difficulty squeezing through the tiny capillaries.
What happens to the various components of red blood cells during destruction?
During destruction the following happens to the various red blood cell components:
globin – a protein that is broken down into amino acids and recycled
iron – is recovered and returned to the bone marrow to be reused
heme – is chemically broken down and excreted as bile pigments by the liver
What is another name for a white blood cell?
A white blood cell is also known as a leukocyte.
What is the function of a white blood cell? Describe how its structure and special characteristics help it do its job.
The function of the white blood cell is to fight infection. White blood cells have the ability to move independently and change their shape. These characteristics help them leave the blood vessel, move to the area containing pathogens, surround them and attack them. Some white blood cells have the ability to produce antibodies that attack pathogens.
Name the two categories of white blood cells, the white blood cells that belong to each category and the function of each white blood cell.
White blood cells are divided into two categories. They are granular and agranular leukocytes. Granular leukocytes include neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. Agranular leukocytes include monocytes and lymphocytes.
A. GRANULAR Leukocytes i) neutrophil – they are the first type of wbc to respond to infection ii) eosinophil – they respond to a parasitic worm infection or an allergic reaction iii) basophil – they release histamine associated with allergic reactions B. AGRANULAR Leukocytes i) monocyte – they phagocytize pathogens, old cell, and cellular debris and stimulate other wbc’s to defent the body ii) lymphpocyte – B lymphocytes produce antibodies and T lymphocytes destroy cells that have foreign antigen
What are antigens?
- Pathogens and cells of the body have molecules on the surface of the plasma membrane called antigens that allow the immune system of the body to recognize the cell as belonging to the organism or not belonging.
What are antibodies and what is their function?
Antibodies are large protein molecules produced by the white blood cell lymphocyte. They combine with the foreign antigen on a cell to destroy the cell.
What is the name of the blood disorder associated with the white blood cell and how does it affect the body?
Leukemia is a cancer associated with the white blood cell. It is characterized by an abnormally high number of immature white blood cells that fill the red bone marrow preventing red blood cells from being built. These immature white blood cells are also unable to protect the body from infection.
- What are platelets and where are they formed?
Platelets are fragments of large cells that occur in the red bone marrow.
Briefly describe how platelets function in blood clotting.
Platelets are involved in the process of blood clotting, or coagulation by clumping together to form a plug at the site of the puncture. Their presence helps activate several clotting factors.
What is the blood disorder associated with clotting and how does it affect the body?
A blood disorder associated with blood clotting is hemophilia. Hemophilia is an inherited clotting disorder that is caused by a deficiency in one of the clotting factors. It results in internal bleeding.
- A doctor has received the blood test results for two patients. For patient A the red blood cell count was lower than normal, and for patient B the white blood cell count was higher than normal. For each of these patients, discuss and explain what blood disorder could be indicated by these results.
Patient A has a lower than normal red blood cell count which may indicate anemia which causes fatigue in the patient as not enough oxygen is being transported to cells for cellular respiration.
Patient B has a higher than normal white blood cell count which may indicate leukemia. The patient would feel tired and be chronically sick as these immature cells prevent red blood cells from being formed and they are unable to perform their function of fighting infections.
- What is another name for a red blood cell?
A red blood cell is also known as an erythrocyte.
