I. Polycythemia vera is a condition where there is an abnormal increase in (prim
ID: 3514340 • Letter: I
Question
I. Polycythemia vera is a condition where there is an abnormal increase in (primarily) the number of red blood cells. For each of the following possible causes of Polycythemia vera, explain why each would result in an abnormally high concentration of red blood cells. (6 pts). Make sure your answer addresses whether or not more red blood cells are made and how (i) Chronic myeloproliferative disease (form of leukemia) Example answer: Uncontrolled cell division due to disneption of the cell cycle results in large #'s of RBC's (ii) Living at high altitude (ii) Erythropoietin secreting tumor (iv) Decreased plasma volume 2. Burt, the new lab assistant, was asked to make a 0.9 % sodium chloride solution by putting 4.5 grams of NaCI in the bottom of a graduated cylinder and bringing the volume up to 500 mls with distilled water. Instead, he brought the volume of the solution up to 1 liter. MW NaCI-58.5 g/mol a. What is the percentage concentration of the solution he made? (2 pts) b. What is its osmolarity? (2 pts) C. When human RBC's are placed into Burt's incorrect solution, would they swell, shrink, or stay the same size? Explain why based on the concept of tonicity. Assume RBC osmolarity is 300 mOsM. (2 pts)Explanation / Answer
Answer 1a. Chronic myeloproliferative disease - polycythemia Vera in this disease is due to the uncontrolled cell division and proliferation. Polycythemia Vera is abnormally increase in number of red blood cells. Chronic myeloproliferative disease is a type of tumour, which results in abnormal and uncontrolled cell division. This results in polycythemia Vera.
Answer 1b. Living at high altitude also causes polycythemia vera because at high altitude there is decreased concentration of atmospheric oxygen. So in order to compensate the person's body increases red blood cells production, resulting in polycythemia vera.
Answer 1c. Erithropoietin secreting tumour also causes polycythemia vera because Erithropoietin is main hormone in the synthesis of red blood cells. Thus increased amount of Erithropoietin causes more red blood cells production thus resulting in polycythemia vera.
Answer1d. Decreased plasma volume also resulting in polycythemia vera because blood contains plasma and red blood cells. If plasma volume decreased then the concentration of red blood cells will increased resulting in polycythemia vera.