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Questions and Answers
Which of the following is true about serum and plasma?
What are the cellular elements of blood known as?
What is the function of mature erythrocytes?
What is the buffy coat layer in centrifuged whole blood made up of?
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What is the characteristic shape of mature erythrocytes?
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Study Notes
Serum vs Plasma
- Serum is the liquid portion of blood obtained after coagulation, while plasma includes clotting factors and is obtained before coagulation.
- Plasma constitutes approximately 55% of total blood volume, whereas serum is what remains after the blood has clotted.
Cellular Elements of Blood
- The cellular elements of blood are known as formed elements, which include erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), and thrombocytes (platelets).
Function of Mature Erythrocytes
- Mature erythrocytes are primarily responsible for the transport of oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and the return transport of carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs.
- They contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds to oxygen, facilitating this gas exchange.
Buffy Coat Layer
- The buffy coat layer in centrifuged whole blood consists of leukocytes (white blood cells) and thrombocytes (platelets).
- This layer sits between the plasma and the red blood cell layer and accounts for less than 1% of total blood volume.
Shape of Mature Erythrocytes
- Mature erythrocytes have a distinctive biconcave disc shape, allowing for increased surface area for enhanced gas exchange.
- This flexible shape enables them to navigate through narrow capillaries efficiently.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the components of blood with this quiz. Identify the formed elements and understand the difference between serum and plasma. This quiz will help you review essential concepts related to blood as a connective tissue.
