Blood and Plasma Functions Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of the capillaries in the circulatory system?

Substance exchange

How does blood move through the circulatory system?

Pressure differences

What is the clinical term for the percentage of red blood cells in the blood volume?

Hematocrit

What is the function of serum in blood?

Nutrient and waste transport Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the plasma proteins?

Collagen (D) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to fibrinogen during blood clotting?

It becomes insoluble fibrin (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of tissue is blood classified as?

Connective tissue (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main method used to separate the elements of blood for analysis?

Centrifugation (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of red blood cells?

Disc-like (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main protein found in red blood cells?

Hemoglobin (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of blood cells are responsible for engulfing bacteria and other substances?

Neutrophils (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which white blood cells are involved in responding to parasitic worm infections and allergies?

Eosinophils (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which organ is responsible for detecting weakened red blood cells and breaking them down?

Spleen (C) Signup and view all the answers

What substance is produced when hemoglobin breaks down and is excreted from the body?

Bilirubin (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of white blood can produce antibodies?

Lymphocytes (A) Signup and view all the answers

Platelets are essential for what process in the blood?

Blood clotting (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the precursor cell for platelets?

Megakaryocyte (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which cells release granules containing toxic substances to combat infectious bacteria?

Eosinophils (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of erythropoietin (EPO)?

Stimulate red blood cell production (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the lifespan of a typical red blood cell?

120 days (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of platelets in the blood?

Blood clot formation (C) Signup and view all the answers

From superficial to deep, what are the 3 pericardial layers, and what is the function of each?

The three pericardial layers, from superficial to deep, are the fibrous pericardium, the parietal pericardium, and the visceral pericardium. The fibrous pericardium is the outermost layer and is a tough, fibrous sac that helps to protect the heart and keep it anchored in the chest. The parietal pericardium is the middle layer and lines the fibrous pericardium. It is a smooth, serous membrane that secretes fluid that lubricates the heart and allows it to move freely. The visceral pericardium is the innermost layer and is also a smooth, serous membrane. It directly covers the heart and is sometimes referred to as the epicardium. Signup and view all the answers

Explain what neurons innervate the heart, what neurotransmitters are released, what cells of the heart are affected, and how they are affected.

The heart is innervated by the autonomic nervous system, which has two branches: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. Sympathetic neurons release norepinephrine (NE), which increases heart rate and contractility. These neurons primarily affect the pacemaker cells of the heart, which control the heart's rhythm, and the contractile cells, which control the heart's pumping action. Parasympathetic neurons release acetylcholine (ACh), which decreases heart rate and contractility. These neurons primarily affect the pacemaker cells of the heart. Signup and view all the answers

The effects of NE and ACh are to speed up and slow down the pacemaker potential, resulting in a faster or slower heart rate.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Assuming the usual complement of Na+/K+ ATPase pumps and K⁺ and Na⁺ leak channels, what other pumps or channels would you expect to find in the membranes of pacemaker cells?

Pacemaker cells have 'funny channels', which open when the cell is polarized and contribute to the gradual depolarization of the cell. They also have voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels, which play a crucial role in the depolarization phase of the pacemaker action potential. Signup and view all the answers

What is the sequence of events in a contractile cardiac cell that begins an action potential in an adjacent cell to the contraction of the cell?

An action potential in an adjacent cell, either another contractile cell or a cell from the conduction system, spreads through gap junctions to the neighboring contractile cell. This depolarization triggers voltage-gated sodium channels to open, causing a rapid influx of sodium ions, which rapidly depolarizes the cell. Once the cell is depolarized, voltage-gated potassium channels open, and potassium ions move out of the cell, leading to repolarization. However, voltage-gated calcium channels also open during this phase, allowing calcium ions to enter the cell. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship Between The Plateau Phase and Systole?

The plateau phase of the cardiac action potential corresponds to the period of systole, or ventricular contraction. During this phase, the heart muscle remains contracted, allowing blood to be ejected from the ventricles. Signup and view all the answers

What does the electrocardiogram depict?

The electrocardiogram (EKG) records the electrical activity of the heart, specifically, it depicts the spread of depolarization and repolarization waves across the heart. Signup and view all the answers

Why can't plateau or SA node action potentials be seen on EKG?

The magnitude of the electrical change during the plateau phase of the SA node and the contractile cells is too subtle to be detected by the EKG. Signup and view all the answers

The action potentials of SA node cells are substantial, but they are occurring in too small a population of cells to show on the EKG.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

What changes are occurring in the heart during the isovolumetric contraction phase?

During the isovolumetric contraction phase, the ventricles are closed, but the pressure inside is increasing. This is because the ventricles are contracting, but the valves are still closed. Signup and view all the answers

What determines when the ventricular filling phase moves from passive to active stages?

The ventricular filling phase transitions from passive to active when the SA node fires, sending an electrical signal that spreads through the atria. Signup and view all the answers

What stage(s) of the cardiac cycle occurs during the segment between QRS and T waves?

The segment between the QRS complex and the T wave represents ventricular systole. During this period, the ventricles are contracting and ejecting blood into the aorta and pulmonary artery. Signup and view all the answers

What stage(s) of the cardiac cycle occurs during the segment between P and QRS waves?

The segment between the P wave and the QRS complex represents atrial systole, which is the period of atrial contraction. Signup and view all the answers

What are the structural differences between arteries and veins?

Arteries and veins share a common structure consisting of three layers: the tunica intima, the tunica media, and the tunica adventitia. However, they have structural differences due to their function. Arteries are responsible for carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart under high pressure, while veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart under lower pressure. Signup and view all the answers

What is "total cross sectional area" as it applies to blood vessels, and what is the significance of total cross sectional area?

The total cross-sectional area of blood vessels is a measure of the combined area of all blood vessels at a specific point in the circulatory system. It is significant because it plays a crucial role in regulating blood flow and pressure. Signup and view all the answers

How is flow different from velocity?

Blood flow and velocity are two important concepts in understanding how blood moves through the circulatory system. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the 4 major factors that contribute to blood pressure.

The four major factors that contribute to blood pressure are: <ol> <li> Cardiac output: This refers to the volume of blood the heart pumps into the arteries per minute. </li> <li> Peripheral resistance: This refers to the opposition to blood flow through the blood vessels. </li> <li> Blood volume: This refers to the amount of blood circulating in the body. </li> <li> Compliance: This refers to the ability of blood vessels to stretch in response to changes in pressure. </li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What explains the reason that blood pressure declines with distance from the heart?

Blood pressure declines with distance from the heart because blood vessels are not perfectly rigid tubes. The frictional resistance between the blood and the vessel walls increases as the blood travels further from the heart, causing a gradual reduction in pressure. Signup and view all the answers

Why do we bother regulating our blood pressure?

Regulating blood pressure is crucial for maintaining adequate tissue perfusion and preventing damage to blood vessels. Signup and view all the answers

What are the targets of sympathetic and parasympathetic regulation of blood pressure?

The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems regulate blood pressure by targeting three primary sites: <ol> <li> SA Node cells: Responsible for setting the heart rate. </li> <li> Contractile cells of the heart: Increases the force of contraction. </li> <li> Arterioles: Regulates peripheral resistance by constricting or dilating blood vessels. </li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

During the valsalva maneuver, increasing intrathoracic pressure diminishes blood flow to the heart. Why?

During the Valsalva maneuver, an increase in intrathoracic pressure compresses the veins that return blood to the heart. This compression leads to a decrease in blood flow. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the intra pleural space? Why not just have the lungs connected to the thoracic wall directly?

The intrapleural space is essential for the efficient functioning of the lungs. It reduces friction, allows for lung expansion, and maintains lung volume. Signup and view all the answers

If the compliance of the lungs were to decrease, as with age or disease, the lungs would resist enlargement when the thorax enlarges. How can this limitation be overcome if a person requires 500 ml per breath at rest?

To overcome this limitation, the body can increase respiratory muscle effort, increase respiratory rate, or use accessory muscles. Signup and view all the answers

How does bronchodilator affect flow of air, and how does the body make this happen in a fight or flight scenario?

Bronchodilators relax the smooth muscles lining the airways, causing them to widen. In a fight or flight scenario, the adrenal medulla releases epinephrine, leading to relaxation and bronchodilation. Signup and view all the answers

A portion of fluid leaks from blood vessels, forming interstitial fluid. Lymphatic capillaries absorb excess interstitial fluid, becoming lymph. They also absorb dietary fats in the small intestine; (lacteals). What is the relationship between the Lymphatic System and interstitial fluid?

Interstitial fluid is the fluid that bathes the cells and tissues of the body. Lymphatic capillaries collect excess interstitial fluid from the tissues. Signup and view all the answers

Afferent vessels bring lymph into lymph nodes; efferent vessels carry it out. What is the function of lymph nodes in the lymphatic system?

Lymph nodes act as filters, removing cellular debris, pathogens, and other waste products from the lymph before it returns to circulation. They also house immune cells responsible for recognizing and destroying pathogens. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the three lines of defense in the immune system?

The three lines of defense protect the body against pathogens, with the first line being physical barriers, the second line the innate immune response, and the third line the adaptive immune response. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the purpose and actions of macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, dendritic cells, basophils and mast cells, and NK cells in the immune system.

Macrophages and neutrophils are phagocytic cells that engulf pathogens. Eosinophils fight parasites, dendritic cells present antigens to T cells, basophils and mast cells mediate inflammation, and NK cells destroy infected or cancerous cells. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is the main function of blood?

The primary function of blood is to transport substances throughout the body, including gases, nutrients, waste products, ions, chemical messengers, and heat.

What is hydrostatic pressure in relation to blood?

Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a fluid against the walls of its container. Blood's hydrostatic pressure drives its movement through the circulatory system.

What type of tissue is blood?

Blood is classified as a connective tissue because it consists of cells (formed elements) embedded in an extracellular matrix (plasma).

How are blood components separated?

Centrifugation is a process that separates components of a mixture based on density. In blood, it separates the denser red blood cells (erythrocytes) from the lighter plasma and white blood cells (leukocytes).