Question

Spherocytes are characterized by no central pallor. What other characteristic is associated with spherocytes?

1) Increased osmotic fragility
2) Decreased osmotic fragility
3) Normal osmotic fragility
4) No change in osmotic fragility

Answer 1

Spherocytes are red blood cells without a central pallor and are associated with increased osmotic fragility, leading to their premature destruction and hemolytic anemia.

Step-by-step explanation:

Spherocytes, which are characterized by the absence of central pallor, are commonly associated with increased osmotic fragility. This is fundamentally different from the altered shape observed in sickle cell disease, where red blood cells take on a sickle or crescent shape due to the presence of abnormal hemoglobin S.

Sickle cell anemia is a result of anemia due to excessive destruction of red blood cells, as these misshapen cells block blood flow in capillaries, causing a wide array of health issues. On the other hand, the increased osmotic fragility of spherocytes leads to their premature destruction in the spleen, contributing to hemolytic anemia.