Mini Quiz Review- Blood Composition

RBC's do NOT have a nucleus, so they must be replaced constantly

The liquid part of blood, known as plasma, is the extracellular component that makes up approximately 55% of total blood volume. It is a yellowish fluid that contains water, proteins, hormones, electrolytes, and waste products. Plasma plays a crucial role in transporting nutrients, hormones, and waste materials throughout the body. It also helps maintain blood pressure and regulates body temperature.

Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are the smallest formed elements in the blood. They are not whole cells but rather cell fragments. Platelets play a vital role in blood coagulation, or clotting, which is essential for preventing excessive bleeding. When there is an injury or damage to blood vessels, platelets are activated and form a plug at the site of injury, helping to stop bleeding. Therefore, platelets are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the circulatory system and promoting wound healing.

White blood cells are also known as leukocytes. Leukocytes are a type of blood cell that plays a crucial role in the body's immune system. They are responsible for defending the body against infections, diseases, and foreign substances. Leukocytes are produced in the bone marrow and are found in the bloodstream and lymphatic system. Their main function is to identify and destroy pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, through various mechanisms, including phagocytosis and the production of antibodies. Therefore, leukocytes are commonly referred to as white blood cells.

Glucose is the correct answer because it is the main carbohydrate absorbed by the capillaries of the intestines after digestion. It is then stored in the liver as glycogen and released as needed. Glucose is an important nutrient found in the plasma and serves as a major source of energy for the body.

Red blood cells are commonly referred to as erythrocytes. Erythrocytes are the most abundant type of blood cell and their primary function is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues. These cells contain a protein called hemoglobin, which binds to oxygen and carries it throughout the body. The term "erythrocytes" is derived from the Greek words "erythros" meaning red and "kytos" meaning cell, reflecting their characteristic red color.

Thrombocytes, also known as platelets, are small colorless cell fragments found in the blood. They play a crucial role in blood clotting, preventing excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is damaged. Platelets are responsible for forming a plug at the site of injury, initiating the clotting process, and releasing substances that promote clot formation. Thus, platelets are essential for maintaining hemostasis and preventing excessive bleeding.

Red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, are cells that have a unique biconcave shape. This means that they are caved in on both sides, resulting in thinner central areas compared to their edges. This shape allows them to have a larger surface area for efficient oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange.

Serum is the liquid component of blood that remains after clotting factors, fibrinogen, and prothrombin have been removed. It is essentially plasma without these clotting factors. When blood clots, fibrinogen is converted into fibrin, which helps to form the clot. Therefore, serum is the clear, yellowish liquid that is left behind after the blood has clotted and the clotting factors have been removed.

Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that binds to oxygen molecules. It increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood by about 4 times compared to if oxygen were dissolved in plasma alone. This is because hemoglobin can bind to multiple oxygen molecules, forming a complex called oxyhemoglobin. This allows for efficient transport of oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues.

Albumin is a plasma protein that is synthesized in the liver and is the most abundant protein found in blood. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the osmotic pressure of blood, which helps to regulate the distribution of fluids between the blood and tissues. Additionally, albumin helps to transport various substances such as hormones, fatty acids, and drugs in the bloodstream. Its ability to thicken the blood is attributed to its role in maintaining the viscosity and clotting properties of blood.

Monocytes are a type of white blood cell that circulate in the bloodstream. When they enter the tissues, they undergo a process called differentiation, where they enlarge in size and mature into macrophages. Macrophages are responsible for engulfing and digesting cellular debris, pathogens, and other foreign substances, playing a crucial role in the immune response and tissue repair.

Erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells, are the most numerous blood cells in the body. These cells are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and removing carbon dioxide. They make up about 40-45% of the total blood volume and are produced in the bone marrow. The high number of erythrocytes is necessary for the efficient transportation of oxygen throughout the body, ensuring proper functioning of organs and tissues.

White blood cells (WBCs) are characterized by the presence or absence of granules in the cytoplasm when cells are stained. Granules are small, membrane-bound structures found within the cytoplasm of WBCs. These granules contain various substances such as enzymes, proteins, and chemicals that play important roles in immune responses. The presence or absence of granules helps to differentiate different types of WBCs, such as granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils) that have granules, and agranulocytes (lymphocytes and monocytes) that do not have granules. Therefore, the presence or absence of granules is a key characteristic used to identify and classify different types of WBCs.

Basophils are a type of leukocyte that secrete histamine, which is released during inflammatory reactions. Histamine plays a role in the body's immune response by causing blood vessels to dilate and become more permeable, allowing other immune cells to reach the site of infection or injury. Basophils also produce heparin, which is a natural anticoagulant that prevents blood clots from forming. This helps to maintain blood flow and prevent blockages in the blood vessels. Therefore, basophils are important in the body's defense against infections and in maintaining proper blood circulation.

Mature red blood cells lack a nucleus and organelles, which allows for more space within the cell. This additional space is utilized to accommodate a large amount of hemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Therefore, the correct answer is hemoglobin.

Neutrophils are the most numerous type of white blood cells (WBCs) and play a crucial role in protecting the body from invading microorganisms. They accomplish this by engulfing the pathogens into their own cell bodies, a process called phagocytosis, and then digesting them. Neutrophils are highly effective in combating bacterial infections and are often the first responders to sites of inflammation or infection. Their abundance and ability to quickly migrate to the site of infection make them an essential component of the immune system's defense mechanism.

The term "formed elements" refers to the various types of cells and cell fragments that are present in the plasma of the blood. These include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These formed elements play important roles in various physiological processes such as oxygen transport, immune response, and blood clotting.

Lymphocytes are a type of leukocyte (white blood cell) that play a crucial role in the immune system. They are the second most common type of white blood cell and are responsible for producing antibodies. These antibodies help in defending the body against infections by attacking and destroying harmful cells. Therefore, lymphocytes are essential for protecting the body against infections.

Erythropoietin is a hormone that is released into the kidney in response to a decreased oxygen supply. It stimulates the production of red blood cells (RBCs) in the bone marrow. When the oxygen levels in the body are low, such as during high altitudes or in cases of anemia, the release of erythropoietin signals the bone marrow to produce more RBCs. This helps to increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and restore normal oxygen levels in the body.

Eosinophils are a type of leukocyte that play a role in the immune response against parasites and parasitic worms. While they are considered weak phagocytes, they release toxic substances that can kill parasites and help control infections. Eosinophils are especially important in allergic reactions and asthma, where they help to regulate inflammation.

Blood is classified as a liquid connective tissue because it consists of a fluid matrix called plasma that contains various cellular components, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Unlike other connective tissues, which have a solid or semisolid matrix, blood has a fluid consistency. It circulates throughout the body, transporting oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products to and from different tissues and organs. Additionally, blood plays a crucial role in immune responses, clotting, and maintaining homeostasis within the body.

Lipids are a group of organic compounds that are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. They include fats, cholesterol, and lipoproteins, which are all found in the plasma. Lipids play important roles in the body, such as providing energy, insulation, and protection of organs. Therefore, lipids are the correct answer to the question.

Hemoglobin carries hydrogen ions once oxygen is released, which helps maintain the pH balance in the blood. It also carries carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration, from the tissues to the lungs where it can be exhaled.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are formed through the digestion of dietary proteins in the intestines. Once digested, amino acids are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to various cells in the body, where they are used for the synthesis of new proteins, enzymes, and other important molecules. Therefore, amino acids are the correct answer as they are the end product of protein digestion and are found in the plasma.

Electrolytes are the nutrients found in plasma that consist of salts. These salts play a vital role in various functions such as bone formation, hormone production, and maintaining the acid-base balance in the body. Electrolytes are essential for proper functioning of the nervous system, muscle contractions, and regulating fluid balance. They include minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which carry electrical charges and help transmit nerve impulses and maintain cellular functions.

Monocytes are the largest type of white blood cells (WBCs) and are known for their aggressive phagocytic activity. They play a crucial role in the immune response by engulfing and destroying pathogens, dead cells, and other foreign substances. Monocytes can migrate out of the bloodstream and into tissues, where they mature into macrophages, enhancing their phagocytic capabilities. Due to their large size and potent phagocytic abilities, monocytes are considered aggressive phagocytes.

Macrophages are a type of mature monocyte that play a crucial role in the immune system. They are highly active in engulfing and destroying pathogens, dead cells, and other foreign materials through a process called phagocytosis. Macrophages are important for maintaining tissue homeostasis and initiating immune responses. They are found in various tissues throughout the body and can adapt their functions based on the specific needs of the tissue. Overall, macrophages are key players in the body's defense against invaders and foreign material.

Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells (RBC's) and is responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues. Oxygen is vital for cellular respiration, which is an essential process for energy production in cells. Therefore, hemoglobin plays a critical role in maintaining the balance and stability of various physiological processes in the body, known as homeostasis. It ensures that oxygen is delivered to tissues and organs in the right amount, helping to maintain a stable internal environment necessary for optimal functioning of the body.

Globulins are a type of plasma protein that are composed of antibodies. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system in response to an infection. They help protect the body against infections by binding to foreign substances, such as bacteria or viruses, and marking them for destruction by other immune cells. Therefore, globulins play a crucial role in the immune response and help protect against infection.

Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils are the three types of granulocytes. Granulocytes are a type of white blood cell that contain granules in their cytoplasm. Neutrophils are the most common type of granulocyte and are responsible for fighting bacterial infections. Eosinophils are involved in allergic reactions and the immune response against parasites. Basophils play a role in allergic reactions and release histamine. These three types of granulocytes have distinct functions in the immune system and contribute to the body's defense against various pathogens and allergens.

The two types of agranulocytes are lymphocytes and monocytes. Agranulocytes are a type of white blood cell that do not have granules in their cytoplasm. Lymphocytes are responsible for immune responses and play a vital role in the body's defense against infections. Monocytes are larger cells that are involved in phagocytosis, the process of engulfing and destroying foreign particles and pathogens. Together, lymphocytes and monocytes contribute to the body's immune system and help maintain overall health and well-being.

The three main types of formed elements in the blood are erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), and thrombocytes (platelets). Erythrocytes are responsible for carrying oxygen to the body's tissues, leukocytes are involved in the immune response and fighting off infections, and thrombocytes play a crucial role in blood clotting.

Hemoglobin plays a crucial role in the transportation of oxygen throughout the body. It binds to oxygen molecules in the lungs and carries them to the tissues and organs that need oxygen for various functions. This process ensures that oxygen is efficiently delivered to all parts of the body, enabling proper cellular respiration and energy production. Without hemoglobin's ability to transport oxygen, the body would not receive an adequate oxygen supply, leading to severe health complications.

Plasma makes up more than half of the total blood volume. This means that more than 50% of the blood volume is composed of plasma, which is the liquid component of blood. Plasma contains various substances such as water, proteins, hormones, and nutrients, and it plays a crucial role in transporting these substances throughout the body.

Fibrinogen and prothrombin are two clotting factors that play a crucial role in blood coagulation. Fibrinogen is a soluble protein that is converted into insoluble fibrin during the clotting process. Fibrin forms a mesh-like structure that helps in trapping blood cells and platelets to form a clot. Prothrombin, on the other hand, is a precursor protein that is converted into thrombin, an enzyme responsible for converting fibrinogen into fibrin. Together, fibrinogen and prothrombin ensure the formation of a stable blood clot, preventing excessive bleeding.

Plasma is the liquid component of blood and is composed of various substances. The given answer states that plasma is made up of approximately 90% water, 7% proteins, and 3% other solutes. This indicates that the majority of plasma is water, followed by proteins, and then other solutes.

The four plasma proteins found in blood are albumin, globulins, fibrinogen, and prothrombin. These proteins play important roles in maintaining osmotic pressure, transporting substances, and clotting. Albumin is responsible for maintaining osmotic pressure and transporting substances such as hormones and drugs. Globulins are involved in immune responses and transport lipids. Fibrinogen is essential for blood clotting, while prothrombin is a precursor to thrombin, which is necessary for the formation of blood clots.