Haemotology

    Cards (60)

    • What is haematology the study of?
      Blood and blood elements
    • What are the core concepts of haematology?
      Normal and pathologic aspects of blood
    • What types of cells are in normal peripheral blood?
      • Red cells (erythrocytes)
      • White cells (leukocytes)
      • Platelets (thrombocytes)
    • What fluid are blood cells suspended in?
      Pale yellow plasma
    • What percentage of total blood volume do cells occupy?
      About 40%
    • How is the circulating blood cell count in health?
      Relatively constant
    • What happens to blood cells over time?
      All have a limited life span
    • What is the total blood volume of an average 70 kg adult male?
      ~ 5 litres
    • How many red cells does an average adult male have?
      ~ 25 x 1012^{12}
    • How long do red cells survive?
      ~ 120 days
    • What are the sites of haematopoiesis in different life stages?
      • Fetus: yolk sac, liver, spleen, bone marrow
      • Infants: bone marrow (all bones)
      • Adults: vertebrae, ribs, sternum, skull, pelvis, proximal femur
    • What is the common precursor cell for blood cells?
      Haematopoietic stem cell (HSC)
    • What are the stages of haematopoietic differentiation?
      • Stem: self-renew, multipotent
      • Progenitor: lineage committed, proliferating
      • Mature: functional end cells, short-lived
    • What is the primary function of erythrocytes?
      O2_2 transport
    • What is the shape of red blood cells?
      Biconcave discoid shape
    • What is haemoglobin's role in erythrocytes?
      O2_2-carrying pigment
    • What percentage of RBC weight is made up of haemoglobin?
      One-third
    • How many globin chains are in one haemoglobin molecule?
      Four globin chains
    • What type of chains does fetal haemoglobin (HbF) have?
      2 α and 2 γ chains
    • What type of chains does adult haemoglobin (HbA) have?
      2 α and 2 β chains
    • How many oxygen molecules can one haemoglobin molecule carry?
      Four oxygen molecules
    • What stimulates the synthesis of erythropoietin (EPO)?
      Tissue hypoxia
    • Where is erythropoietin (EPO) synthesized?
      In the kidney
    • What effect does EPO have on red cell progenitors?
      Shortens cell-cycle time
    • What is the role of EPO in red blood cell production?
      Increases rate of maturation and release
    • What is the composition of normal peripheral blood?
      Three types of cells and plasma
    • What is the least numerous type of blood cell?
      White cells (leukocytes)
    • How many white cells are in circulation?
      5 x 109^{9}/L
    • What are the five different types of white cells?
      • Granulocytes
      • Neutrophils
      • Eosinophils
      • Basophils
      • Mononuclear cells (Monocytes, Lymphocytes)
    • What is the most numerous leukocyte in adults?
      Neutrophils
    • What percentage of circulating white cells are neutrophils?
      About 60%
    • What is the lifespan of neutrophils?
      1. 10 hours
    • What is the primary role of neutrophils?
      Non-specific defense against infections
    • What type of granules do eosinophils have?
      Large cytoplasmic granules
    • What is the lifespan of eosinophils?
      1. 5 hours
    • What is the primary function of eosinophils?
      Defense against parasitic infestation
    • What is the least numerous circulating leucocyte?
      Basophils
    • What is the role of basophils?
      Involved in hypersensitivity reactions
    • What is the lifespan of monocytes?
      10 hours
    • What do monocytes mature into?
      Phagocytic tissue macrophages
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