Mr. Chetan Aggarwal Essay Example
Activity 1 - Hematocrit Determination
1. List the hematocrits for the healthy make (sample 1) and female (sample 2) living in Boston (at sea level) and indicate whether they are normal or whether they indicate anemia or polycythemia.
Healthy Male (Sample 1) = 48 and Healthy Female = 44. Both are normal as the average hematocrit for males is 42-52%, and the average for females is 37-47%
2. Describe the difference between the hematocrits for the male and female living in Boston. Why does this difference between the sexes exist?
Men have a higher hematocrit due to 1.) being larger in size than women and having more muscle mass, and 2.) It has been shown that testosterone affects the secretion of erythropoietin (EPO) by the kidneys. EPO is responsible for the formation of red blood cells. Higher testosterone in males means more red blood cell formation and hence a higher hematocrit.
3. List the hematocrits for the healthy male and female living in Denver (approximately one mile above sea level) and indicate whether they are normal or whether they indicate anemia or polycythemia.
Male=55, Female=53 ; Both are elevated indicating polycythemia
4. How did the hematocrit levels of the Denver residents differ from those of Boston residents? Why? How well did the results compare with your prediction?
Denver residents live at a higher elevation than do Bostonians and will therefore experience compensation mechanisms due to the increase levels of hypoxia.
5. Describe how the kidneys respond to a chronic decrease in oxygen and what effect this has on hematocrit levels.
When the kidneys detect the body in a hypoxic state (chronic decrease in O2) they will release erythropoietin (EPO) to stimulate RBC production. This will lead to an overall increase in hematocrit levels.
6. List the hematocrit for the male with aplastic (sample 5) and indicate whether it is normal or abnormal. Explain your response.
Male hematocrit=19 and is abnormally low. Aplastic anemia is
1. List the hematocrits for the healthy make (sample 1) and female (sample 2) living in Boston (at sea level) and indicate whether they are normal or whether they indicate anemia or polycythemia.
Healthy Male (Sample 1) = 48 and Healthy Female = 44. Both are normal as the average hematocrit for males is 42-52%, and the average for females is 37-47%
2. Describe the difference between the hematocrits for the male and female living in Boston. Why does this difference between the sexes exist?
Men have a higher hematocrit due to 1.) being larger in size than women and having more muscle mass, and 2.) It has been shown that testosterone affects the secretion of erythropoietin (EPO) by the kidneys. EPO is responsible for the formation of red blood cells. Higher testosterone in males means more red blood cell formation and hence a higher hematocrit.
3. List the hematocrits for the healthy male and female living in Denver (approximately one mile above sea level) and indicate whether they are normal or whether they indicate anemia or polycythemia.
Male=55, Female=53 ; Both are elevated indicating polycythemia
4. How did the hematocrit levels of the Denver residents differ from those of Boston residents? Why? How well did the results compare with your prediction?
Denver residents live at a higher elevation than do Bostonians and will therefore experience compensation mechanisms due to the increase levels of hypoxia.
5. Describe how the kidneys respond to a chronic decrease in oxygen and what effect this has on hematocrit levels.
When the kidneys detect the body in a hypoxic state (chronic decrease in O2) they will release erythropoietin (EPO) to stimulate RBC production. This will lead to an overall increase in hematocrit levels.
6. List the hematocrit for the male with aplastic (sample 5) and indicate whether it is normal or abnormal. Explain your response.
Male hematocrit=19 and is abnormally low. Aplastic anemia is