Pernicious Anemia: SAQ Solutions

Listed below are the solutions to the Self-Assessment Questions on Pernicious Anemia Parts 1&2.

1. The body produces antibodies that destroy parietal cells, which make an intrinsic factor for B12 to be absorbed, or antibodies that block action of the intrinsic factor. Intestinal absorption in general is poor.
   
2. D. Upset stomach
   All other answer choices are symptoms for pernicious used to detect childhood pernicious anemia as described in the video. While an upset stomach is a symptom of pernicious anemia, it is not used to diagnose the disease in children.
3. False.
   RBCs tend to be larger in pernicious anemia. This is because cytoplasmic maturation is less impaired, while DNA synthesis is more impaired in RBC precursors in the bone marrow.
4. B. Laminar flow is when Reynold’s number is <2,000; it occurs in the capillaries.
   Turbulent flow occurs in the aorta and larger arteries where there are high cross-sectional areas, flow rates, and pressures. Turbulent flow occurs when the Reynold’s number is high. Conversely, laminar flow occurs at the lower cross-sectional areas, flow rates, and pressures, as is the case in the capillaries. Reynold’s number is accordingly low in areas of laminar fluid flow.