Biology Quiz: Blood Components

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Questions and Answers

What is the main function of Hemoglobin?

To help with blood clotting.

To carry oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from tissues. (correct)

To fight infection.

To produce red blood cells in the bone marrow.

What is the approximate number of Hemoglobin molecules present in a single red blood cell?

28,000

280

280,000 (correct)

2,800,000

What is the name of the iron ion that interacts with the oxygen molecule in Hemoglobin?

Heme

Erythropoietin

Iron (Fe) (correct)

Globin

What is the name of the hormone that is released when there is low oxygen in peripheral tissues, stimulating red blood cell production?

Erythropoietin (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason behind the biconcave shape of red blood cells?

To increase the surface area to volume ratio for efficient oxygen exchange. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the process that produces red blood cells?

Erythropoiesis (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of platelets in hemostasis?

To form a temporary seal over damaged blood vessels (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is thrombocytopenia?

An abnormally low platelet count (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a phase of hemostasis?

Hemoglobin Phase (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of megakaryocytes?

To produce platelets (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following substances is NOT released by platelets during the Platelet Phase of hemostasis?

Fibrinogen (C) Signup and view all the answers

What causes bilirubin to have an orange-yellow color?

The conversion of biliverdin to bilirubin (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of transferrin in iron recycling?

Transporting iron to the bone marrow for new hemoglobin synthesis (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of sickle-cell disease?

Increased blood viscosity (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consequence of tissue hypoxia due to anemia?

Tissue necrosis (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of erythropoietin in red blood cell production?

Stimulating the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of hemolytic anemia?

Increased red blood cell destruction (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the cause of jaundice?

Inability of the liver to process bilirubin (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of macrophages in red blood cell recycling?

Engulfing worn-out red blood cells (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is caused by a deficiency in vitamin B12?

Pernicious anemia (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of white blood cell is responsible for phagocytizing bacteria?

Neutrophils (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of lymphocytes?

Secrete histamine and heparin (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of white blood cell is involved in allergic reactions and parasitic infections?

Eosinophils (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which cell type develops into macrophages?

Monocytes (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of basophils in the immune system?

Release of histamine and heparin (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of white blood cell is responsible for providing long-term immunity?

Lymphocytes (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a stage in leukopoiesis?

Erythroblast (D) Signup and view all the answers

Where do T lymphocytes complete their development?

Thymus (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of white blood cell has the shortest lifespan in the bloodstream?

Neutrophils (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the immune system?

Protect the body from pathogens and disease (D) Signup and view all the answers

What causes jaundice?

High levels of bilirubin in the blood (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which blood type is considered the universal donor?

Type O (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of antibodies in the immune system?

To identify and destroy foreign cells (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between antigens and antibodies?

Antigens are foreign substances that trigger an immune response, while antibodies are the body's response to those substances. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the Rh factor, and why is it important in blood transfusions?

The Rh factor is a protein found on the surface of red blood cells that can cause a transfusion reaction. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of a transfusion reaction?

A mismatch between the donor's blood type and the recipient's blood type. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential consequence of a transfusion reaction?

Kidney failure (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of RhoGAM in preventing hemolytic disease of the newborn?

RhoGAM is a drug that prevents the mother from producing antibodies against the Rh factor. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the immune response?

To fight off infection and foreign substances (B) Signup and view all the answers

How are antibodies formed?

Antibodies are formed in response to foreign antigens. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cardiovascular System (Blood)

Blood is a connective tissue
Plasma makes blood fluid
Three formed elements of blood are platelets, white blood cells (leukocytes), and red blood cells (erythrocytes)

Latin Prefixes and Suffixes

Hemo/a-: blood
Anti-: against
Erythros-: red
Leukos-: white
-cyte: cell
-penia: poverty, not enough
-osis: too many
Thrombos-: clot
-stasis: halt, stop

Blood Function

Provides nutrients, oxygen (O₂), hormones/enzymes, and waste removal to cells/tissues
Regulates pH and ion composition of cellular fluids, clotting capabilities to restrict blood loss, and body temperature.

Blood Composition

Plasma (55% of total blood volume): 91% water, 7% blood proteins (fibrinogen, albumin, globulin), 2% nutrients (amino acids, sugars, lipids), hormones, and electrolytes.
Cellular components (45% of total blood volume): Buffy coat (white blood cells [leukocytes] and platelets), red blood cells (erythrocytes)
Average red blood cell count is 5,000,000 per cubic millimeter of blood.
Average white blood cell count is 7000-9000 per cubic millimeter of blood.
Average platelet count is 250,000 per cubic millimeter of blood

Components of Blood

Constituent: Water, Ions (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, bicarbonate), Plasma proteins (albumin, fibrinogen, immunoglobulins, etc), Nutrients, Electrolytes, Nitrogenous wastes (urea), Hormones, Gases.
Cellular elements: Erythrocytes (transport oxygen and carbon dioxide) 5-6 million per microliter, Leukocytes (defense and immunity) 5,000-10,000 per microliter, Platelets (blood clotting) 250,000-400,000 per microliter

Functions of Blood Components

RBCs (Erythrocytes): Most abundant, transport oxygen.
WBCs (Leukocytes): Body's defense mechanism against disease and infection.
Platelets: Contain enzymes important for clotting.

### Fun Facts about Blood

Formed elements are made through hemopoiesis (hematopoiesis)
Blood temperature is ~38°C (100.4°F)
Blood is 5x more viscous than water.
Blood pH is 7.35-7.45.
Average adult male blood volume is 5-6 liters.
Average adult female blood volume is 4-5 liters.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

WBC count: 4,000-10,000/mm³
RBC count: 4.2-5.9 million/mm³
Hemoglobin (Hb): Males 14-18 g/dL, Females 12-16 g/dL,
Hematocrit: Males 40-54%, Females 37-47%
MCV: 86-98 µm³/cell
MCH: 27-32 μg/RBC
RDW: 11.5-14.5
Platelet count: 150,000-400,000/mm³
WBC differential: Neutrophils (40-75%), Lymphocytes (15-45%), Monocytes (1-10%), Eosinophils (1-6%), Basophils (0-2%).

Hematopoiesis

Adults produce billions of RBCs, platelets, and WBCs daily.
Stem cells colonize fetal bone marrow, spleen, and thymus.
The liver stops producing blood cells at birth.
Lymphoid hemopoiesis takes place in lymphoid tissues such as thymus, tonsils, lymph nodes, spleen, and Peyer's patches in the intestines.
Red bone marrow contains pluripotent stem cells that produce RBCs, WBCs, and platelets.

Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin (Hb) transports O₂ and CO₂.
Fe (iron) in the heme group combines with oxygen.
4 oxygen molecules can bind to one Hb molecule.

Oxygen Loading and Unloading

Oxygen loading occurs in the lungs.
Oxygen unloading occurs in the tissues.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide has a much higher affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen.
Breathing it could lead to death.

Erythrocyte Homeostasis

Negative feedback control maintains RBC count.
Low RBC count causes kidney hypoxemia.
EPO stimulates bone marrow to produce more RBCs.
Erythropoiesis (RBC production) is stimulated by low oxygen levels, exercise, and loss of lung tissue.

Stimulating Hormones

Erythropoietin (EPO), also known as erythropoiesis-stimulating hormone, is secreted when oxygen levels in peripheral tissues are low.

Recycling RBCs

1% of circulating RBCs wear out per day.
Macrophages in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow remove them and recycle components such as iron, which is transported back to the bone marrow for new hemoglobin production.

Bilirubin

Phagocytes break down hemoglobin into components such as amino acids and heme, converting heme into biliverdin and then bilirubin.
Bilirubin has an orange-yellow color.
The liver removes bilirubin, and jaundice occurs if liver function is impaired.

Iron Recycling

Iron is transported by transferrin back to bone marrow for new hemoglobin production.
Iron is stored by ferritin and hemosiderin in the liver.

Anemia: Causes

Inadequate erythropoiesis or hemoglobin synthesis (e.g., vitamin B12 deficiency, pernicious anemia, iron deficiency, kidney failure, aplastic anemia)
Hemolytic anemias (where RBCs are destroyed prematurely).
Hemorrhagic anemias (caused by excessive blood loss).

Anemia: Effects

Tissue hypoxia and necrosis, Shortness of breath, Lethargy
Low blood osmolarity and tissue edema
Low blood viscosity and impaired heart function and pressure drops
Changes in skin including paleness, yellowing, coldness
Changes in eyes, including yellowing
Respiratory problems
Weakness, among other effects

Sickle-Cell Disease

A genetic disorder of hemoglobin.
Individuals with sickle cell trait are resistant to malaria.
In low oxygen concentrations, the cells elongate and become rigid and sickle-shaped, causing blockages and intense pain, and ultimately organ damage and shortened life span.

Pernicious Anemia

Low RBC production due to vitamin B12 deficiency.
Caused by gastrointestinal disease and absorption problems.
Common in strict vegetarians.

Other Conditions Associated With Anemia

Thalassemia: Inherited disorder affecting hemoglobin. Results in abnormal hemoglobin structure and malformed red blood cells.
Bone marrow transplants and blood transfusions are treatments available.
Jaundice: Yellowish staining of skin and sclera, caused by elevated bilirubin levels, which arises from old or damaged RBCs. It's removed from the blood by the liver and excreted in the bile, giving feces its brown color.

Antigens and Antibodies

Antigens are unique molecules on cell surfaces used to distinguish self from foreign. Foreign antigens trigger an immune response.
Antibodies are proteins secreted by plasma cells. They bind to and attack foreign matter to initiate an immune response.
Agglutination results when antibodies bind to antigens, causing clumping.

Blood Types

Blood types A, B, AB, and O are determined by the presence or absence of A and B antigens on red blood cells and the corresponding antibodies in the plasma.
Type AB can receive blood from any type, and type O can donate blood to any type.

Rh Group

Rh (D) factors are antigens on blood cells, with either Rh+ or Rh- statuses.

Maternal-Fetal Rh Incompatibility

If an Rh- mother carries an Rh+ fetus, the mother can produce anti-D antibodies that attack the fetal blood cells, causing problems in the fetus.
RhoGAM can suppress the mother's immune system to prevent this from happening.

White Blood Cells (Leukocytes)

Structure: No hemoglobin
Functions: Defend against pathogens, remove toxins, waste, and damaged cells.
Location and Movement: Circulate in blood, but most are in connective tissue, and lymphatic organs. They respond to infection/injury by moving to the affected areas.

Granulocyte Functions

Neutrophils (high in bacterial infections): Phagocytosis; phagocytose bacteria.
Eosinophils (high in parasitic infections or allergies): Phagocytosis (of antigen-antibody complexes, allergens) and release enzymes to destroy parasites.
Basophils (high in chicken pox, sinusitis, diabetes): Secrete histamine (vasodilator) and heparin (anticoagulant)

Agranulocyte Functions

Lymphocytes: Destroy cells, present antigens, coordinate actions of other immune cells.
Monocytes: Differentiate into macrophages; phagocytize pathogens and debris.
All types of lymphocytes "present" antigens to activate other immune cells.

Leukocyte Life Cycle

Leukopoiesis: Formation of WBCs from pluripotent stem cells.
Pluripotent stem cells form different types of WBCs (Neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, NK cells).
T-lymphocytes complete development in the thymus.
Mature WBCs (like granulocytes and monocytes) are stored in red bone marrow and released into circulation, then some leave the bloodstream, to combat infections.
Monocytes differentiate into macrophages and live for an extended period.
WBCs provide long-term immunity.

Leukocyte Disorders

Leukopenia: Low WBC count, caused by radiation, poisons, or infection; elevated risk of infection. These cells are less effective in infections.
Leukocytosis: High WBC count, often due to infection, allergy, or disease.
Leukemia: Cancer of hemopoietic tissue, myeloid or lymphoid. The cells are uncontrolled resulting in death.
Acute and chronic forms, affected cells are disrupted and clotting is often impaired

Platelets

Cell fragments that play a major role in the clotting system.
Consistently removed and replaced every 9 to 12 days.

Thrombocytopoiesis

Formations of platelets occurs by megakaryocytes.
The formation of proplatelets, which fragment into platelets.

Hemostasis

The process of stopping blood flow from a damaged blood vessel. This happens in three phases.
The vascular phase involves vasoconstriction of local blood vessels.
The platelet phase results in platelets activating (clumping together) and sticking to damaged surfaces to form a "platelet plug."
The coagulation phase causes conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, creating a mesh that traps red blood cells and platelets to form a blood clot.
A cascade of reactions involving clotting factors leads to clot formation.
Clot retraction results in the blood clot edges drawing closer together; and fibrinolysis is when substances dissolve the clot.

Coagulation Pathways

Extrinsic pathway: Begins with damaged perivascular tissues and the release of thromboplastin and other factors.
Intrinsic pathway: Begins with circulating proenzymes in the bloodstream.

The Common Pathway

The intrinsic and extrinsic pathways converge at factor X, which forms prothrombinase.
Prothrombinase converts prothrombin to thrombin, and thrombin converts fibrinogen to fibrin.
Fibrin is critical in the formation of a blood clot.

Fibrinolysis

tPA activates plasminogen into plasmin, which digests fibrin strands in the blood clot.

Anticoagulants

Antithrombin III deactivates thrombin before it acts on fibrinogen.
Heparin (from basophils and mast cells) activates Antithrombin III; and Warfarin, and other substances prevent clotting factors from working.

Hemophilia

A rare, inherited bleeding disorder, most commonly affects males.
Hemophilia A (80%) is caused by a deficiency in clotting factor VIII, and Hemophilia B (15%) is caused by a deficiency in clotting factor IX; this delays or prevents the blood's ability to clot normally

Coagulation Disorders

Thrombosis: Abnormal clotting in unbroken vessels, most often in the leg veins (deep vein thrombosis [DVT]).
Pulmonary embolism (PE): Clots may break off from leg veins, migrate to the lungs, obstructing blood flow and potentially causing death.

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Description

Test your knowledge on blood components, including the roles of hemoglobin, red blood cells, and platelets. Explore concepts such as oxygen transport, hemostasis, and the production of blood cells. This quiz covers essential vocabulary and functions related to hematology.