Anemia Definitions

describes an undifferentiated hematopoietic stem cell that has the potential to become any type of mature blood cell

Pluripotent

describes a partially differentiated hema- topoietic precursor cell that has the potential to become many different types of blood cell, but not all types

Oligopotent

a partially differentiated hematopoietic cell that is committed to becoming a single type of blood cell, such as erythrocyte, eosinophil, or neutrophil. Progenitor cells are still capable of replicating themselves a limited number of times

Progenitor

the conditions within a particular part of an organ or cell. The microenvironment may include the presence of unique growth hormones, ion concentrations, cell adhesion molecules, or other factors that are particular to that compartment

Microenvironment

a protein that has carbohydrate residues attached via covalent bonds to specific amino acids

Glycoprotein

describes the quaternary structure of a protein with four polypeptide chains

Tetrameric

describes a non-peptide, organic molecule that is permanently associated with a protein and aids in the function of that protein

Prosthetic

the low affinity conformational state of deoxy- hemoglobin (unbound)

Taut State

the high affinity conformational state of oxy- hemoglobin (bound)

Relaxed State

the active form of vitamin B12 in humans that is present in mitochondria and is necessary for methyl- malonyl CoA mutase function

Adocobalamin

the active form of vitamin B12 in hu- mans that is present in the cytoplasm and is necessary for methionine synthase function

Methylcobalamin

describes RBCs that are smaller in size (volume) than normal. This is most commonly associated with iron deficiency anemia

Microcytic

describes RBCs that are larger in size (volume) than normal. This is most commonly associated with defi- ciencies in folate or vitamin B12

Macrocytic

describes RBCs that are pale in color as a result of decreased heme content

Hyprochromic

describes a form of anemia in which fewer RBCs are produced, although the cells may appear normal

Hypoproliferative

describes defects in RBC structure or function that lead to hemolysis; this type of defect origi- nates inside the cell and is usually inherited

Intrinsic (cause)

describes defects in RBC structure or function that lead to hemolysis; this type of defect origi- nates outside the cell and is usually acquired

Extrinsic (cause)

describes a technique used to isolate DNA from one organism and engineer the gene to produce proteins in another organism or in vitro

Recombinant