Normal erthyrocytes Flashcards
(14 cards)
What are red blood cells produced from?
Pluripotent stem cells in the red bone marrow
What happens to iron from broken down RBC?
It is bound to transferrin in the blood and recycled
Which hormone is responsible for regulating RBC production, where is it produced?
Erythropoietin
Kidney senses reduced oxygen carrying capacity and releases EPO
Pathway of RBC production (Starting with EPO on stem cell)
Differentiate to Proerythroblast Polychromatic erythroblast Orthochromatic erythroblast Erythroblast extrudes nucleus Reticulocyte relased into circulation
What is a reticulocyte?
An immature RBC
Why is a RBC so thin?
Reduced diffsuion distance
Surface to volume ratio maximised
Flexible membrane allows cells to bend and squeeze through capilalries
How is ATP synthesised in RBC
Anaerobic glycolysis as there is no mitochondria, glucose is key fuel
What role does NADH play in oxygen binding?
NADH formed from glycolysis, helps keep iron in Fe2+ state (Haemoglobin ready to bind oxygen)
Otherwise becomes methaemoglobin which cannot bind O2
What is hexose monophase shunt and why is it important?
Produces NADPH from some glucose, NADPH maintains adequate levels of reduced glutathione
What is the function of reduced glutathione?
It combats oxidative stress
What is the consequence of having excessive free radicals?
Leads to damage of cellular structures and enzymes
Cause of lack of reduced glutathione?
Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase insufficiency–> NADPH insufficiency
How is carbon dioxide transported around the body?
1) As HCO3 ion
2) Bound to Hb
3) Physically dissolved in solution
Where does CO2 bind to hameoglobin?
To the globin portion
