Biology Chapter: Blood Functions and Composition

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of blood in relation to respiratory gases?

To purify air inhaled into the lungs

To transport oxygen and carbon dioxide (correct)

To eliminate unnecessary gases from the body

To alter the chemical composition of gases

Which component of blood is responsible for its classification as a connective tissue?

Plasma (correct)

White blood cells

Platelets

Red blood cells

What occurs when blood is collected with anticoagulants?

The blood can be separated into distinct layers (correct)

The blood maintains its gas content indefinitely

The blood remains homogeneous

The blood forms clots immediately

How much blood does an average adult have in their body?

5-6 liters Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of blood?

Helps in digestion of food Signup and view all the answers

What type of cells are recognized by Cytotoxic CD8 T cells?

Infected, transplanted, or cancerous cells Signup and view all the answers

What is derived from mutant proteins synthesized by cancerous cells?

Mutant peptides Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of MHC-I molecules in the immune response?

To present peptide fragments to T cells Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the Ag/MHC-I complex is true?

It participates in the immune recognition of cancerous cells Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the peptide fragment from non-self antigens?

They can be derived from mutant proteins Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the nucleus of neutrophils?

Multi-lobed structure connected by threads Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of neutrophils?

Engulfing and consuming foreign material Signup and view all the answers

How long do neutrophils typically live in the blood?

6-8 hours Signup and view all the answers

Which type of granules do neutrophils contain?

Cytoplasmic granules Signup and view all the answers

In what conditions are neutrophils most specialized to respond?

Bacterial invasions Signup and view all the answers

What appears on neutrophils in some females as a distinguishing feature?

Barr body as a drumstick appendage Signup and view all the answers

What color can the cytoplasm of neutrophils appear under a microscope?

Light pink Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the abundance of neutrophils among leukocytes?

Most abundant type of leukocyte Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the plasma membrane in erythrocytes?

To stabilize cell shape and facilitate gas transport Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes normochromic RBCs?

A consistent staining pattern across the cell Signup and view all the answers

What structural proteins are primarily involved in maintaining the biconcave shape of erythrocytes?

Spectrin and Ankyrin Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate diameter of a typical erythrocyte?

6-9 um Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the glycocalyx?

A protective coating of glycoproteins and glycolipids around the membrane Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the biconcave shape of erythrocytes?

It provides flexibility for passage through capillaries Signup and view all the answers

What is the thickness of the erythrocyte at its rim?

2.6 µm Signup and view all the answers

What does eosinophilia indicate in terms of erythrocyte characteristics?

High content of hemoglobin due to acidophilia Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between euchromatin and heterochromatin?

Euchromatin is extended and active, while heterochromatin is condensed and inactive. Signup and view all the answers

What is the staining characteristic of an active nucleus using H&E?

It appears blue due to basophilia. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement characterizes dense regular connective tissue?

It has parallel bundles of collagen fibers with few fibrocytes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the nucleolus within the nucleus?

To facilitate the assembly of ribosomal RNA. Signup and view all the answers

What indicates an inactive nucleus when observed under a microscope?

It is small and deeply basophilic. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does euchromatin have on gene expression?

It promotes gene expression by being actively extended. Signup and view all the answers

What structure in the cell is primarily responsible for producing basophilia in cytoplasm?

Ribosomes. Signup and view all the answers

In which type of connective tissue are collagen fibers arranged randomly?

Dense irregular connective tissue. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Blood

Blood is considered to be a specialized type of connective tissue
Blood contains blood cells and plasma
Blood plasma is the extracellular matrix of blood

Blood Functions

Transports nutrients and gases around the body
Transports waste products to organs and tissues for recycling or excretion
Transports hormones around the body
Transports immune cells throughout the body
Helps regulate body temperature
Maintains acid-base and osmotic balance

Blood Volume and Movement

The average adult has approximately 5-6 liters of blood
Blood is propelled through the circulatory system by rhythmic contractions of the heart
Blood flows unidirectionally throughout the closed circulatory system

Blood Composition

Anticoagulants prevent blood from clotting
Centrifuging blood with anticoagulants separates it into layers
Blood is a heterogeneous mixture

Erythrocytes

Erythrocytes are also known as red blood cells (RBCs)
Erythrocytes are biconcave discs containing hemoglobin
Erythrocytes have a low number of enzymes
Erythrocytes contain a plasma membrane that is critical for gas transport and maintenance
Erythrocytes stain pink/red (acidophilia) due to the high content of hemoglobin (basic protein)
The central region of the erythrocyte appears pale due to its biconcave shape
The pale staining erythrocytes are called "Normochromic RBCs"
Erythrocytes consist of a meshwork of proteins (spectrin and ankyrin) that form a cytoskeleton
The submembranous meshwork stabilizes the membrane, maintains the cell shape, and provides elasticity for passage through capillaries
Erythrocytes are called "Normocytic RBCs"
Erythrocytes are 6-9µm (7.5µm) in diameter
Erythrocytes are 2.6µm thick at the rim, but only 0.75µm thick in the center
Erythrocytes can be used as a reference for cell size

Erythrocyte Abnormalities

Mutations in membrane proteins like spectrin and ankyrin can cause abnormal erythrocyte shapes

Erythrocyte Membranes

Erythrocytes are covered in a glycocalyx (a covering composed of glycoproteins and glycolipids)

Erythrocyte Appearance

Erythrocytes appear rounded and non-nucleated when viewed under a light microscope
Erythrocytes are stained with Leishman stain
There is no nucleus present within the cell

Leukocytes

Leukocytes are also known as white blood cells (WBCs)
Leukocytes are divided into granulocytes and agranulocytes
Granulocytes have cytoplasmic granules
Granulocytes contain azurophilic granules (lysosomes) and specific/secondary granules
Agranulocytes lack cytoplasmic granules
The three main types of granulocytes:
- Neutrophils
- Eosinophils
- Basophils

Neutrophils

Neutrophils are the most common leukocyte
Neutrophils have a multi-lobed nucleus with 2-5 lobes connected by strings of nuclear material
Neutrophils have a light pink cytoplasm
Neutrophils cytoplasm stains equally red (acidic) and blue (basic)
Neutrophils are specialized for destroying bacterial invasions
Neutrophils respond to acute infections
Neutrophils are short-lived with a 6-8 hour half-life in blood and a 1-4 day lifespan in connective tissues
Neutrophils die by apoptosis
Neutrophils are the first WBCs to leave the blood in large numbers when there is an infection

Basophils

Basophils stain blue in color

Eosinophils

Eosinophils are stained red/orange using eosin
Eosinophils are involved with allergies

MHC

MHC (major histocompatibility complex)
MHC-I molecules are present on all of the cells in the body except for red blood cells
MHC-I molecules bind to viral peptides or mutant peptides
MHC-I molecules promote cytotoxic T cells in response to the viral peptide
MHC-I molecules promote cytotoxic T cells in response to the mutant peptides
MHC-1 molecule binds to a viral peptide fragment produced by a virus-infected cell
MHC-1 molecule binds to a mutant peptide fragment produced by a cancerous cell

T cells

Cytotoxic CD8 T cells kill infected, transplanted or neoplastic cells
The antigen of virus infected or transplanted cells binds to MHC-I molecules
The antigen of neoplastic cells binds to MHC-I molecules

General Histology

Chromatin
- Euchromatin is extended and active
- Heterochromatin is condensed and inactive
Nucleolus
- The nucleolus is a spherical mass without a membrane
- The nucleolus is usually present in a single copy
- Function: formation and assembly of rRNA for protein synthesis
H&E staining
- The nucleus usually stains blue (basophilic) using H&E
- An active nucleus stains lightly basophilic
- An inactive nucleus stains deeply basophilic and appears smaller
- The cytoplasm typically stains pink/red (acidophilic) in H&E stain
- Ribosomes cause basophilia in the cytoplasm

Connective Tissues

Dense irregular connective tissue
- Randomly interwoven collagen fiber bundles
- Orientation provides resistance to stress from every direction
- Found in dermis of skin, organ capsules, and submucosa
Dense regular connective tissue
- Parallel bundles of collagen fibers
- Contains few fibrocytes aligned with the fibers and a small amount of ground substance

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Description

This quiz covers the essential aspects of blood, including its composition, functions, and movement within the circulatory system. Test your knowledge on the specialized connective tissue that plays a crucial role in transporting nutrients, gases, and waste products throughout the body.