blood 3

• What are the principal diseases of red blood cells?

  They can involve low and high levels.
• How can anaemia arise from changes within the bone marrow?

  Bone marrow changes affect red blood cell production.
• What are the consequences of abnormal iron metabolism?

  It can lead to various blood disorders.
• What happens due to a poor supply of vitamins and folate?

  It can cause anaemia and other deficiencies.

  
• What is the molecular basis of white blood cell malignancies?

  It involves genetic mutations affecting cell growth.

  
• Why is flow cytometry valuable in diagnosing white cell malignancies?

  It helps identify specific cell types and abnormalities.

  
• What is the shape of the majority of normal red blood cells?

  Disciform
• How do normal erythrocytes appear on a stained peripheral blood film?

  They are approximately circular with minor shape variations.

  
• What is the diameter of normal erythrocytes?

  About 7.5 μm
• What is macrocytosis?

  It is an increase in the size of erythrocytes.

  
• How do the erythrocytes of neonates compare to those of adults?

  Neonates show considerable macrocytosis compared to adults.

  
• How do fetal red cells compare to adult red cells?

  Fetal red cells are much larger than adult cells.
• What is hypochromia in red blood cells?

  It is a reduction of staining in red cells.

  
• What does increased central pallor in hypochromic cells indicate?

  It occupies more than one-third of the cell diameter.
• How is hyperchromia defined in blood films?

  Cells are more intensely stained than normal.

  
• What does dimorphism indicate in red blood cells?

  Presence of two distinct populations of red cells.

  
• What is poikilocytosis?

  It is an increased proportion of abnormally shaped cells.
• What can cause poikilocytosis in normal subjects?

  High altitude can produce some degree of poikilocytosis.
• What is microcytosis?

  It is a decrease in the size of erythrocytes.

  
• How are microcytes detected on a blood film?

  By a reduction of red cell diameter to less than 7 μm.
• What is anaemia?

  It is a problem with too few red cells.

  
• What leads to symptoms in a patient with anaemia?

  Too few red cells or their dysfunction.

  
• What are polycythaemia and erythrocytosis?

  They are conditions with too many red cells present.

  
• What characterizes primary erythrocytosis?

  Increased red cell production due to bone marrow defect.

  
• What characterizes secondary erythrocytosis?

  Red cell production driven by elevated EPO levels.

  
• What is benign erythrocytosis?

  It has a mutation in one allele of EpoR.
• What happens to erythroid progenitors in benign erythrocytosis?

  They are hypersensitive to EPO in vitro.
• What is the significance of individuals with benign erythrocytosis?

  They have a normal lifespan and no illness signs.
• What are the categories of disorders of red cells?

  Microcytic, normocytic, and macrocytic.

  
• How can anaemia be categorized?

  By failure of production or shortened survival.
• What is iron deficiency anaemia?

  It develops when iron intake is inadequate.
• What are the causes of iron deficiency anaemia?

  Inadequate intake, malabsorption, and increased loss.

  
• What is the leading cause of iron deficiency worldwide?

  A parasitic disease known as helminthiasis.
• What are clinical features of iron deficiency anaemia?

  Fatigue, pallor, and exertional shortness of breath.
• What are specific features of severe iron deficiency?

  Koilonychias, angular cheilosis, and glossitis.
• How does lead poisoning affect haem synthesis?

  Excess lead interferes with haem synthesis.

  
• What symptoms are associated with significant lead poisoning?

  Abdominal pain, constipation, and lead line on gums.
• What is the clinical history important for in lead poisoning?

  It helps identify symptoms and signs of lead poisoning.
• What is a leading cause of iron deficiency worldwide?

  A parasitic disease known as helminthiasis
• What are common clinical features of anaemia?

  Fatigue, pallor, and exertional shortness of breath