Physiology I Blood & Immunity

Physiology I
BLOOD & IMMUNITY

2-RED BLOOD CORPUSCLES
Prof. Dr. Maha Gamal

[email protected]
1
RED BLOOD CORPUSCLES
(RBCs)
RBCs constitute 99% of blood cells.

They are biconcave discs, 2.2 micron in
thickness and 7.2 micron in diameter.

Their volume is 90 cubic micron.
RBCs count is 5.4 million/mm3 in males and 4.8
million/mm3 in females.
They have an elastic membrane.
They contain hemoglobin, K+ and carbonic
anhydrase enzyme.
They have no mitochondria so they depend on
anaerobic metabolism.
2
HEMOGLOBIN (Hb)
Hb is the red- oxygen carrying
pigment of RBCs.
The amount of Hb is:
15-16 g/100 ml blood in males and

13-14 g/100 ml blood in females.
Structure of Hb:
1- It consists of Globin and 4 Heme

groups.
2- Globin is a protein formed of 4
polypeptide chains.
3- Heme is an iron protoporphyrin,
the iron is in the ferrous state (Fe2+). 3
Hemoglobin (cont.)
Structure of Hemoglobin (cont.):

4- O2 binds loosely to the iron to be easily given to the tissues.
5- Thus one molecule of Hb binds to 4 molecules of O2.
6- Hb binds to CO2 to form carbamino compounds. It binds to the globin
(protein) part.
7- Function of carbonic anhydrase enzyme: Transport of CO2 in the blood.
Life Span and Fate of RBCs:

The life span of RBCs is 120 days.
Fate: RBCs cannot reproduce. They are fragile and rupture easily while
passing through tiny vessels especially in the spleen.
4
Life Span and Fate of RBCs
5
Erythropoiesis:
 Definition:
It is the process of the formation of RBCs.
 Site:
A- During fetal life: It occurs in the liver and spleen.
B- After birth, it occurs in bone marrow only:
1- Before 20: it occurs in the bone marrow of all bones.
2- After 20: By the age of 20 the bone marrow of long bones
is replaced by fatty tissue thus after the age of 20
erythropoiesis takes place in the bone marrow of
membranous bones e.g. the ribs, sternum, vertebrae, pelvis
and skull.
6
ERYTHROPOIESIS (cont.)
Stages of
Erythropoiesis:
7
Erythropoiesis (cont.)
Erythropoietin hormone:
It is normally present in the plasma in small amounts, it is produced by the
kidney 85% and the liver 15%. It is essential for erythropoiesis.
Functions: 1- It acts on the CFU-E cells preventing DNA cleavage, inhibiting
apoptosis of these cells and stimulating their mitosis thus increasing their
number. 2- It speeds all the stages of Erythropoiesis.
Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis:
1- Decreased O2 supply to the tissues (Hypoxia):
Decreased O2 supply to the tissues stimulates RBCs production due to the
stimulation of the release of erythropoietin hormone.
.2- Dietary factors:
A- Proteins: High biological value proteins are needed for the formation of
globin.
B- Vitamins:
8
Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis (cont.)
1- Vitamin B12 :
Source: only animal products
Function: It is essential for the synthesis of DNA and maturation of RBCs. It is
important for the formation of myelin sheath.
Absorption: It is absorbed in the lower ileum. Its absorption needs intrinsic factor
secreted by the stomach. The intrinsic factor binds the vitamin and together they
bind to specific receptors in the lower ileum then the vitamin is absorbed by
endocytosis. It is stored in the liver.
Deficiency: Failure of nuclear maturation and division of erythroblasts in the bone
marrow. The erythroblasts increase in size (megaloblasts) with shorter life span. The
cells become large in size with decreased number thus producing macrocytic anemia.
It is accompanied by neurological symptoms.
Deficiency of intrinsic factor produces macrocytic anemia called pernicious anemia
which is treated by vitamin B12 injections.
2- Folic acid:
Source: Green vegetables and fruits.
Deficiency: Similar in action to vitamin B12 and its deficiency also produces macrocytic
anemia.
9
Absorption of Vitamin B12
10
Factors Affecting
C- Iron:
Function: Formation of Hemoglobin.
Absorption: 1- Most dietary iron is in the Fe3+ form.
2- It must be reduced to the Fe2+ form to be absorbed. This
occurs by gastric HCl and vitamin C in the diet.
3- Iron absorption occurs in the upper part of the small intestine
by an active process.
4- After absorption it is oxidized to the Fe3+ form.
Transport: It is transported in the blood as transferrin.
Storage: It is stored in the liver as ferritin.
Deficiency: Iron deficiency produces microcytic anemia.
This anemia is characterized by cells with small size and decreased
amount of Hemoglobin.
11
Factors Affecting
3- Hormones:
1- Testosterone hormone stimulates erythropoietin secretion.
2- Thyroid hormones increase cell metabolism.
3- Cortisol hormone increases formation of RBCs.
4- Healthy Liver:
Importance of the liver:
1- Forms globin.
2- Stores iron and vitamin B12.
3- Produces 15% of erythropoietin.
5- Healthy Bone Marrow:
It is the site of erythropoiesis. It is destroyed by irradiation and
tumors. 12
Anemia
Definition: It is the decreased O2 carrying capacity of blood due
to: 1- Decreased count of RBCs.
2- Decreased concentration of Hb / erythrocyte.
Causes:
1- Dietary: a- iron deficiency (microcytic anemia).
b- vitamin B12, folic acid deficiency (macrocytic anemia).
2- Bone marrow failure (normocytic anemia).
3- Blood loss (hemorrhage):
a- acute blood loss: (type of anemia?)
b- chronic blood loss: (type of anemia?)
4- Decreased erythropoietin secretion in kidney diseases.
5- Excessive destruction of RBCs.
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Physiology I

BLOOD & IMMUNITY

Prof. Dr. Maha Gamal

RBCs constitute 99% of blood cells.

thickness and 7.2 micron in diameter.

RBCs count is 5.4 million/mm3 in males and 4.8

They contain hemoglobin, K+ and carbonic

15-16 g/100 ml blood in males and

1- It consists of Globin and 4 Heme

Structure of Hemoglobin (cont.):

Life Span and Fate of RBCs:

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