27 Questions
What is the approximate percentage of water in plasma?
92%
Which of the following is not a component of the remaining 1% of plasma?
Glucose
Which protein is involved in iron transportation in plasma?
Transferrin
What is the average lifespan of a red blood cell?
120 days
What causes jaundice?
Elevated levels of bilirubin
What genetic defect leads to abnormal hemoglobin that crystallizes and causes the cells to take a sickle form?
Substitution of glutamate by valine
What is the primary cause of anemia?
Hemoglobin content being too low
What is the primary function of hemostasis?
Preventing blood loss from damaged vessels
What initiates the coagulation cascade?
Exposure of damaged tissue to collagen
What is the role of thrombin in the coagulation process?
Converts fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin polymers
What is the final product of fibrinolysis?
Fragments of fibrin
What is the primary function of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in the coagulation cascade?
Converts inactive plasminogen to plasmin
What is the function of vasoconstriction in hemostasis?
Narrows blood vessels to reduce blood flow
What is the primary cause of polycythemia vera?
Stem cell dysfunction leading to overproduction of red blood cells
What is the consequence of RBCs being more like spheres than biconcave disks?
They rupture easily and are unable to withstand osmotic changes
What is the primary function of platelets?
Assisting in blood clotting
Where does blood cell production primarily occur?
Bone marrow
Which organ primarily produces erythropoietin in adults?
Kidneys
What is the role of thrombopoietin?
Regulating platelet production
What is the function of transferrin in the blood?
Transporting iron
What does a complete blood count (CBC) provide information on?
Hematocrit, hemoglobin, red cell count, and total white count
Which cells lack a nucleus and contain hemoglobin for oxygen transport?
Red blood cells
What is the primary function of white blood cells (WBCs)?
Fighting infections and diseases
Which molecule is essential for hemoglobin synthesis?
Iron
What can the morphology of red blood cells indicate?
Presence of certain diseases
Where is excess iron primarily stored in the body?
Liver
What can deficiency of iron lead to?
Anemia and other health issues
Study Notes
Blood Cell Composition and Production
- Red blood cells (RBCs) are also known as erythrocytes and lack a nucleus, containing hemoglobin for oxygen transport
- Platelets are cell fragments split off from megakaryocytes and are crucial for blood clotting
- White blood cells (WBCs), or leukocytes, include lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils, each with specific functions
- Blood cell production occurs in the bone marrow through hematopoiesis, with red bone marrow active in blood cell production and yellow bone marrow inactive
- Hematopoiesis is controlled by cytokines, including interleukins and colony stimulating factors
- Thrombopoietin regulates platelet production, primarily produced in the liver
- Erythropoietin regulates red blood cell production, primarily made in the kidneys of adults
- A complete blood count (CBC) provides information on hematocrit, hemoglobin, red cell count, and total white count, with specific normal ranges for each parameter
- Morphology of red blood cells, indicated by mean corpuscular volume (MCV), can provide clues to the presence of diseases such as spherocytosis and sickle cell anemia
- Hemoglobin synthesis requires iron, which is obtained from the diet, transported in the blood by transferrin, and stored in the liver by ferritin
- Hemoglobin consists of four globin molecules and four heme groups, with heme containing an iron atom at its center
- Excess iron is stored in the liver by ferritin, and deficiency can lead to anemia and other health issues
Test your knowledge of blood cell composition and production with this informative quiz. Explore the functions of red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells, as well as the process of hematopoiesis and the role of cytokines. Delve into the regulation of blood cell production, complete blood count parameters, and the importance of iron in hemoglobin synthesis.
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