Blood Cells: Types and Functions

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Questions and Answers

What type of cell differentiates into a macrophage?

Monocyte

Describe the basic structure and primary function of red blood cells (RBCs).

Red blood cells are biconcave discs lacking a nucleus. Their primary function is to transport oxygen bound to hemoglobin.

Which types of blood cells are phagocytic?

Neutrophils and monocytes (which differentiate into macrophages) are the main phagocytic blood cells.

What is a reticulocyte?

A reticulocyte is an immature red blood cell. Signup and view all the answers

Which mature blood cells lack a nucleus?

Mature red blood cells (erythrocytes) and platelets (thrombocytes). Signup and view all the answers

What is the most abundant type of leukocyte (white blood cell)?

Neutrophil Signup and view all the answers

What is the most abundant plasma protein?

Albumin Signup and view all the answers

What does the gamma globulin fraction of plasma primarily contain?

Antibodies (immunoglobulins) Signup and view all the answers

Define Erythropenia.

Erythropenia is a deficiency in the number of red blood cells. Signup and view all the answers

Define Leukopenia.

Leukopenia is a deficiency in the number of white blood cells. Signup and view all the answers

Define Polycythemia.

Polycythemia is an abnormally high number of red blood cells. Signup and view all the answers

Define Leukocytosis.

Leukocytosis is an abnormally high number of white blood cells. Signup and view all the answers

What are the general causes and characteristics of anemia?

Anemia is characterized by reduced oxygen-carrying capacity due to low red blood cell count or low hemoglobin. Causes include blood loss, decreased RBC production (e.g., nutritional deficiencies, bone marrow problems), or increased RBC destruction (hemolysis). Signup and view all the answers

What causes sickle cell anemia and what are its main characteristics?

Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the hemoglobin gene. This causes red blood cells to assume a sickle shape under low oxygen conditions, leading to vaso-occlusion (blockage of small blood vessels), pain, and organ damage. Signup and view all the answers

What is aplastic anemia and what are its potential causes?

Aplastic anemia is a rare, serious condition where the bone marrow fails to produce sufficient new blood cells (red cells, white cells, and platelets). Causes can include autoimmune disorders, exposure to toxins or radiation, certain infections, or it can be idiopathic (unknown cause). Signup and view all the answers

What typically causes nutritional anemia?

Nutritional anemia is caused by dietary deficiencies of nutrients essential for red blood cell production, primarily iron, vitamin B12, or folate. Signup and view all the answers

A low hematocrit level is a common indicator of anemia.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Where does myelogenous leukemia originate?

Myelogenous leukemia originates in the myeloid stem cells within the bone marrow. Signup and view all the answers

What antibodies are typically present in the plasma of individuals with Type A, Type B, Type AB, and Type O blood?

Type A: Anti-B antibodies; Type B: Anti-A antibodies; Type AB: No antibodies; Type O: Both Anti-A and Anti-B antibodies. Signup and view all the answers

Match the donor blood type (ABO group) with potentially compatible recipients.

Donor Type A = Recipients A, AB Donor Type B = Recipients B, AB Donor Type AB = Recipient AB only Donor Type O = Recipients O, A, B, AB Signup and view all the answers

Which ABO antigens are present on the surface of red blood cells for Type A, Type B, Type AB, and Type O blood?

Type A: A antigens; Type B: B antigens; Type AB: Both A and B antigens; Type O: Neither A nor B antigens. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a centrifuge in a laboratory setting, particularly for blood analysis?

A centrifuge uses centrifugal force (rapid spinning) to separate components of a mixture based on their density. For blood, it separates plasma, the buffy coat (white blood cells and platelets), and red blood cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is the predominant carbohydrate found circulating in blood plasma?

Glucose Signup and view all the answers

Blood is classified as a type of connective tissue.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the medical root word 'hemat/o' refer to?

Blood Signup and view all the answers

List the three layers of the heart wall, from outermost to innermost.

Epicardium (outer), Myocardium (middle), Endocardium (inner). Signup and view all the answers

Name the four chambers and four valves of the human heart.

Chambers: Right atrium, Right ventricle, Left atrium, Left ventricle. Valves: Tricuspid valve, Pulmonary valve, Mitral (Bicuspid) valve, Aortic valve. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the pathway of blood flow through the heart, starting with deoxygenated blood entering the right atrium.

Right atrium -> Tricuspid valve -> Right ventricle -> Pulmonary valve -> Pulmonary artery -> Lungs (oxygenation) -> Pulmonary veins -> Left atrium -> Mitral valve -> Left ventricle -> Aortic valve -> Aorta -> Systemic circulation. Signup and view all the answers

Where do electrical impulses normally originate in the heart, and what is the path they follow?

Impulses originate in the Sinoatrial (SA) node (pacemaker), travel across the atria to the Atrioventricular (AV) node, pause briefly, then pass down the Bundle of His, through the right and left bundle branches, and finally into the Purkinje fibers, stimulating ventricular contraction. Signup and view all the answers

Define stroke volume and cardiac output.

Stroke volume (SV) is the volume of blood pumped out of the left ventricle per heartbeat. Cardiac output (CO) is the total volume of blood pumped by the left ventricle per minute (CO = SV x Heart Rate). Signup and view all the answers

Which chamber of the heart has the thickest, strongest muscular wall?

Left ventricle Signup and view all the answers

What is bradycardia?

Bradycardia is an abnormally slow heart rate, generally defined as less than 60 beats per minute in adults. Signup and view all the answers

What is tachycardia?

Tachycardia is an abnormally fast heart rate, generally defined as more than 100 beats per minute in adults at rest. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during atrial systole?

Atrial systole is the contraction of the atria (upper heart chambers), which pushes blood into the respective ventricles. Signup and view all the answers

What events cause the 'lub' (S1) and 'dub' (S2) heart sounds?

The 'lub' (S1) sound is caused by the closure of the atrioventricular (mitral and tricuspid) valves at the beginning of ventricular systole. The 'dub' (S2) sound is caused by the closure of the semilunar (aortic and pulmonary) valves at the beginning of ventricular diastole. Signup and view all the answers

What causes the second heart sound (S2 or 'dub')?

The closure of the semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonary valves). Signup and view all the answers

What is endocarditis?

Endocarditis is an inflammation or infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart chambers and heart valves. Signup and view all the answers

What is an infarct, and what typically causes a myocardial infarct?

An infarct is an area of tissue death (necrosis) resulting from an interruption of blood supply (ischemia). A myocardial infarct (heart attack) is specifically the death of heart muscle tissue, usually caused by a blockage (often a thrombus) in a coronary artery. Signup and view all the answers

What is the ductus arteriosus and what happens to it normally after birth?

The ductus arteriosus is a blood vessel in the fetus connecting the pulmonary artery directly to the aorta, bypassing the fetal lungs. It normally closes functionally within hours to days after birth. Signup and view all the answers

How does the parasympathetic nervous system affect heart rate?

The parasympathetic nervous system, primarily via the vagus nerve releasing acetylcholine, decreases heart rate. Signup and view all the answers

Compare the general actions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems on the heart.

The sympathetic system ('fight or flight') increases heart rate and the force of contraction. The parasympathetic system ('rest and digest') decreases heart rate. Signup and view all the answers

What condition is angioplasty primarily used to treat?

Angioplasty is primarily used to treat coronary artery disease by opening narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. Signup and view all the answers

Distinguish between modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for heart disease, providing examples of each.

Modifiable risk factors can be changed or controlled (e.g., smoking, high blood pressure, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes). Non-modifiable risk factors cannot be changed (e.g., age, gender, family history/genetics). Signup and view all the answers

Which major arteries supply blood to the head?

Carotid arteries (specifically the internal carotid arteries supply the brain, while the external carotid arteries supply the face and scalp). Signup and view all the answers

Which arteries run between the ribs?

Intercostal arteries Signup and view all the answers

Which blood vessels are the primary site of gas exchange in the lungs?

Pulmonary capillaries Signup and view all the answers

Compare the general wall thickness of arteries, veins, and capillaries.

Arteries have the thickest walls, especially the muscular and elastic layers, to withstand high pressure. Veins have thinner walls than arteries. Capillaries have extremely thin walls, consisting of only a single layer of endothelial cells. Signup and view all the answers

How is arterial blood pressure typically reported, and what does each number represent?

Blood pressure is reported as systolic pressure over diastolic pressure (e.g., 120/80 mmHg). Systolic pressure is the peak pressure during ventricular contraction. Diastolic pressure is the minimum pressure during ventricular relaxation. Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a normal blood pressure range for adults, and what does diastolic pressure represent?

Normal blood pressure is typically considered around 120/80 mmHg. Diastolic pressure (the lower number) represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart muscle is relaxed between beats and refilling with blood. Signup and view all the answers

In case of severe arterial bleeding in the leg, besides direct pressure on the wound, where is a key pressure point located?

The femoral artery pressure point, located in the groin area (mid-inguinal point). Signup and view all the answers

What is an embolus?

An embolus is a blockage-causing piece of material (such as a blood clot, fat globule, air bubble, or other debris) that travels through the bloodstream and lodges in a blood vessel, obstructing blood flow. Signup and view all the answers

Define phlebitis.

Phlebitis is inflammation of a vein. Signup and view all the answers

Name some common classes of medications used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Common classes include diuretics, ACE (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme) inhibitors, ARBs (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers), beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two primary physiological factors that determine arterial blood pressure?

Cardiac output (the amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute) and systemic vascular resistance (the resistance to blood flow in the peripheral blood vessels). Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is a macrophage?

A type of white blood cell that engulfs and digests cellular debris, foreign substances, microbes, cancer cells, and anything else that does not have the types of proteins specific of normal body cells on its surface.

What is a reticulocyte?

Red blood cells that are not yet fully mature.