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basic haematolgy, haemostasis and inflammation

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  • what are the three main categories of plasma

    1. albumins

    2. globulins

    3. clotting factors

  • what are the characteristics of albumins

    synthesised by the liver

    main functions: transport of lipids, steroid hormones, many drugs

    many drugs bind to this one

  • what are the characteristics of globulins

    divided into

    • a and b globulins

      • produced by the liver, transports lipids and fat soluble vitamins

    • γ-globulins

      • produced by lymphocytes and functions as antibodies

  • what are the characteristics of clotting factors

    Fibrinogen (Factor I)

    • Makes up about 2–4% of plasma proteins

    • Produced by the liver

    • Converted to fibrin during clot formation

  • white blood cells are divided into two main groups. what are these

    1. granulocytes

    2. agranulocytes

  • what are the three types of granulocytes and their properties

    • granulocytes

      • neutrophils

        • Granules stain with acidic & basic dyes

        • Most abundant WBC

        • Important in phagocytosis & bacteria

      • eosinohils

        • Granules stain red/orange with acidic dyes such as Eosin

        • Involved in:

          • allergic reactions

      • basophils

        • Granules stain dark purple/blue with basic dyes

  • what are the two types of agranulocytes and their properties

    1. lymphocytes (B and T)

      1. immune defence, Antibody production, Cell-mediated immunity

    2. monocytes

      1. Largest white blood cells

      2. Long-lived (can survive for months)

      3. Develop into macrophages in tissues

      4. Important in phagocytosis and immune response

  • what are the three characteistics of WBC

    1. amoeboid movement

    2. diapedesis (aqueeze through capillary walls)

    3. chemotaxis (movement of WBC towards chemicals)

  • what is the scientific name for platelets

    thrombocytes

  • where are platelets formed and how

    in bone marrow and Form when pieces of large cells called megakaryocytes break off

  • what is the function of platelets

    Platelets help stop bleeding after injury.

  • (structure of a platelet)

    what is the outer and inner region of platelets

    outer: hyalomere (contains actin filaments and helps platelets chanhge shape and contract)

    inner: granulomere (contains granules that stain with basic dyes. granules release chemicals important for blood clotting)

  • what is haematopoiesis

    formation of blood cells in the bone marrow. controlled by hormones and growth factors

  • what are the main hormones and growth factors (4)

    1. erythropoietin (EPO): glycoprotein hormone made in kidney and produce RBC

    2. stem cell factor: supports growth and survival of stem cells in bone marrow

    3. Thrombopoietin: hormone that stimulates production of platelets

    4. Interleukins: Help control growth and development of different white blood cells

  • how are RBC destroyed after 120 days

    Old or damaged RBCs are removed by:

    • the spleen

    • the liver

    • lymph nodes

  • are Fe2+ in haemoglobin reused or destroyed after 120 days

    • Haemoglobin inside RBCs contains iron (Fe²⁺)

    • The iron from the haem group is:

      • stored in the liver or bone marrow as ferritin

      • reused later to make new haemoglobin and RBCs

  • what is anaemia

    a group of disorder where a decrease in ability of the blood to carry O2.

  • what is haematocrit

    • Haematocrit = percentage of blood made up of RBCs

    • Anaemia usually causes a reduced haematocrit

  • what is mean corpuscular volume (MCV)

    MCV measures the average size of RBCs.

    Normal MCV:

    • 80–95 fL (femtolitres)

  • what are the two types of anaemia

    1. aplastic anaemia: bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells

    2. microcytic anaemia: RBC are smaller than usual

  • what is haemolysis

    premature destruction of RBCs

  • what is an example of haemolytic anaemia

    sickle cell anaemia

    • Caused by an abnormal form of haemoglobin

    • RBCs become:

      • stiff

      • curved (“sickle-shaped”)

    These abnormal cells:

    • break easily → haemolysis

    • can block small blood vessels

    • reduce oxygen delivery to tissues

  • what is haemostasis

    Haemostasis involves a series of events when a blood vessel wall (endothelium) breaks

  • clotting factors are normally present in plasma, in their _________ form

    inactivated

  • true or false: Most clotting factors are serine proteases and synthesised in the liver

    true

  • what are the two types of coagulation

    1. extrinsic pathway : activated when blood comes into contact with tissue factor (factor III). works fast

    2. intrinsic pathway: Activated when blood contacts the damaged vessel wall

  • what is the name of substance that inhibit clotting

    anticoagulants

  • what is fibrinolysis

    the process of clot eventually broken down and removed

  • what are thrombus and embolism

    thrombus: stuck clot

    embolism: traveling clot

  • the immune system is divided into 2 major division. what are these

    1. natural immune system

    2. adaptive immune system

  • what is natural immune system

    • Provides immediate, non-specific defence

    • Recognises common features of pathogens (not specific ones)

    Main cells involved:

    • Leukocytes (white blood cells)

    • Macrophages

    • Mast cells

    Key features:

    • Fast response (minutes to hours)

    • No memory (same response each time)

    • First line of defence

  • what is adaptive immune system

    • Provides a specific and targeted response

    • Can recognise and remember specific pathogens

    Main cells involved:

    • B-lymphocytes (B cells)

    • T-lymphocytes (T cells)

    Key features:

    • Slower response initially

    • Highly specific to pathogens

    • Has immune memory

    • Stronger response on second exposure

  • what is inflammatory reponse

    when the body becomes infected, site of injury undergoes changes

    proteins and cells of the immune system are brought/directed to the point of injury

  • what are the types of inflammation

    1. acute inflammation : short-term

    2. chronic inflammation : long-term

  • what are the triple reponse of inflammation

    1. redness

    2. swelling

    3. flare