ASC171 Study Guide - Final Guide: Blubber, Paracrine Signalling, Apocrine
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Topic 8 Blood
● list the major components of blood and describe their functions;
○ Erythrocytes = Red Blood Cells (RBC)
○ Leucocytes = White Blood Cells (WBC, leukocytes) several types
○ Platelets (thrombocytes) involved in clotting of blood
● explain how haemoglobin and carbonic anhydrase facilitate movement of respiratory
gases (O2 and CO2);
○ Carbonic anhydrase Carbonic anhydrase, although less abundant than Hb is another
protein found in RBCs and is critical in gas transport. It acts as an enzyme catalysing the
reversible conversion of CO2 and H2O to carbonic acid (H2CO3). This pathway eventually
yields an H+ ion and a bicarbonate (HCO3-) ion. This reaction is important as the products
(H+ and HCO3-) can influence the pH of blood and CO2 has a key role in acid-base
balance.
● explain the production of red blood cells, including the roles of the kidney, liver and
spleen
○ 1.Kidneys detect reduced O2 carrying capacity of blood
○ 2.When less O2 is delivered to the kidneys, they secrete EPO
○ 3.EPO stimulates erythropoiesis by bone marrow
○ 4.Additional circulating RBC increase O2 carrying capacity of blood
○ 5.Increased O2 carrying capacity relieves initial stimulus that triggered EPO secretion
● explain the process of red blood cell turnover
○ 1.Spleen – removes old red cells (through actions of macrophages)
○ 2.Spleen – RBC reservoir – can store them in its pulpy interior – splenic contraction
during exercise can increase the haematocrit
○ 3.Iron is removed from heme portion, transported as transferrin. Cells that require iron
have cell membrane receptors that bind transferrin & they can up take the iron from the
circulation….includes haemotopoeitic cells in bone marrow (which have the highest
metabolic need for iron)
● describe the mechanism of clot formation
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2
○ 1.Vascular phase:Lasts ~ 30 min,Damage to blood vessel wall stimulates contraction of
smooth muscle fibres,Further vasoconstriction also occurs due to activation of
Sympathetic NS,Endothelial cells release specific chemical factors & local hormones,
Endothelial cells become sticky to platelets
○ 2.Platelet phase:Platelets attach to ‘sticky’ endothelial membranes,Platelets aggregate
to form platelet plug,Key substances in platelet plug formation: von Willebrand factor (a
protein) & adenosine diphosphate (ADP),Platelets contain high concentrations of
contractile protein actin & myosin, As platelets aggregate & form plug, contract to Ó,
‘tightness’ of plug
○ 3.Coagulation phase/formation of blood or fibrin clot: Fibrin (protein) in plasma is
necessary for blood to clot,Formation of fibrin clot requires sequence of reactions:
Coagulation cascade and Coagulation factors (always present in plasma) are activated
■ 3 pathways for this to occur:
● Extrinsic pathway – begins outside bloodstream in vessel wall due to
tissue damage
● Intrinsic pathway – begins inside bloodstream
● Common pathway – extrinsic & intrinsic pathways converge
● list the major blood groups and explain how different blood groups arise.
Topic 9 Cardiovascular
● Describe the function of the cardiovascular system
○ 1.Transport and distribution of essential substances to cells eg oxygen and nutrients;
○ 2. Transport of metabolic waste products from body cells to lung, liver and kidneys eg
CO2 and urea;
○ 3. Transport of hormones, immune cells, and clotting proteins to specific target cells;
○ 4. Homeostasis: a.Thermoregulation – body temperature control; b. Changes in O2 and
nutrient supply, depending on body requirements.
● Describe the gross anatomy of the heart
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● Detail the flow of blood through the heart
● Describe the types and functions of blood vessels
○
● Detail the flow of blood through the cardiovascular system
● Describe the lymphatic and portal circulation
○
● Detail the process of cardiac contraction
● Explain an ECG trace in relation to the cardiac cycle
● Describe the different heart sounds
● Describe peripheral resistance and blood flow regulation
● Describe blood pressure and how it is regulated.
Topic 10 Respiritory
● Outline respiratory tract functions
● Detail the gross anatomy of the respiratory system
● Outline the passage of air from the atmosphere to the alveoli
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Document Summary
Topic 8 blood list the major components of blood and describe their functions; Leucocytes = white blood cells (wbc, leukocytes) several types. Platelets (thrombocytes) involved in clotting of blood. Explain how haemoglobin and carbonic anhydrase facilitate movement of respiratory gases (o2 and co2); Carbonic anhydrase carbonic anhydrase, although less abundant than hb is another protein found in rbcs and is critical in gas transport. It acts as an enzyme catalysing the reversible conversion of co2 and h2o to carbonic acid (h2co3). This pathway eventually yields an h+ ion and a bicarbonate (hco3-) ion. This reaction is important as the products (h+ and hco3-) can influence the ph of blood and co2 has a key role in acid-base balance. Explain the production of red blood cells, including the roles of the kidney, liver and spleen. 1. kidneys detect reduced o2 carrying capacity of blood. 2. when less o2 is delivered to the kidneys, they secrete epo.
