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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of Colony forming unit-erythrocytes (CFU-E)?
What is the primary function of Colony forming unit-erythrocytes (CFU-E)?
At what stage of erythropoiesis does hemoglobin synthesis begin?
At what stage of erythropoiesis does hemoglobin synthesis begin?
Which of the following characteristics is true of the early normoblast stage?
Which of the following characteristics is true of the early normoblast stage?
What is the size of a proerythroblast?
What is the size of a proerythroblast?
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In the intermediate normoblast stage, which of the following is observed?
In the intermediate normoblast stage, which of the following is observed?
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What is the primary function of erythrocytes in the blood?
What is the primary function of erythrocytes in the blood?
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What percentage of total blood volume do erythrocytes typically occupy?
What percentage of total blood volume do erythrocytes typically occupy?
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Which component of blood is primarily responsible for its red color?
Which component of blood is primarily responsible for its red color?
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What is the average blood volume in a normal adult?
What is the average blood volume in a normal adult?
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What is the normal pH of blood under healthy conditions?
What is the normal pH of blood under healthy conditions?
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What is the main reason for blood's viscosity being five times more than water?
What is the main reason for blood's viscosity being five times more than water?
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Which of the following statements about the hematocrit is true?
Which of the following statements about the hematocrit is true?
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What forms the thin layer known as the buffy coat in a hematocrit tube?
What forms the thin layer known as the buffy coat in a hematocrit tube?
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What substance is primarily responsible for the red color of red blood cells?
What substance is primarily responsible for the red color of red blood cells?
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Which of the following is NOT a function of blood?
Which of the following is NOT a function of blood?
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Which type of blood cell is primarily involved in immune defense?
Which type of blood cell is primarily involved in immune defense?
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What component of blood is mainly responsible for blood clotting?
What component of blood is mainly responsible for blood clotting?
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Which of the following is a major function of the plasma proteins?
Which of the following is a major function of the plasma proteins?
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What is the average lifespan of an erythrocyte?
What is the average lifespan of an erythrocyte?
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How do erythrocytes contribute to gas exchange?
How do erythrocytes contribute to gas exchange?
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What is the primary site of erythrocyte destruction in the body?
What is the primary site of erythrocyte destruction in the body?
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The average lifespan of red blood cells is approximately how many days?
The average lifespan of red blood cells is approximately how many days?
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Which component of hemoglobin is primarily responsible for transport of oxygen?
Which component of hemoglobin is primarily responsible for transport of oxygen?
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What percentage of plasma is water?
What percentage of plasma is water?
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Which hormone stimulates erythropoiesis in response to hypoxia?
Which hormone stimulates erythropoiesis in response to hypoxia?
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Which of the following ions is NOT typically found in plasma?
Which of the following ions is NOT typically found in plasma?
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What does bilirubin, the major breakdown product of hemoglobin, contribute to?
What does bilirubin, the major breakdown product of hemoglobin, contribute to?
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What is the primary role of albumin in blood plasma?
What is the primary role of albumin in blood plasma?
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What differentiates serum from plasma?
What differentiates serum from plasma?
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What is the packed cell volume (PCV) in healthy adults?
What is the packed cell volume (PCV) in healthy adults?
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What is the main function of neutrophils?
What is the main function of neutrophils?
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Which enzyme is necessary for the formation of bicarbonate from water and carbon dioxide in red blood cells?
Which enzyme is necessary for the formation of bicarbonate from water and carbon dioxide in red blood cells?
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Which of the following best describes the shape of red blood cells?
Which of the following best describes the shape of red blood cells?
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What occurs to the erythrocyte membrane as it ages past 120 days?
What occurs to the erythrocyte membrane as it ages past 120 days?
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What is the role of hemoglobin in blood group determination?
What is the role of hemoglobin in blood group determination?
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What does hemoglobin bind most effectively with?
What does hemoglobin bind most effectively with?
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At what age does erythropoiesis primarily occur in the bone marrow?
At what age does erythropoiesis primarily occur in the bone marrow?
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What are the uncommitted pluripotent hemopoietic stem cells capable of?
What are the uncommitted pluripotent hemopoietic stem cells capable of?
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What percentage of carbon dioxide is transported in blood as bicarbonate?
What percentage of carbon dioxide is transported in blood as bicarbonate?
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What happens to globin after the destruction of red blood cells?
What happens to globin after the destruction of red blood cells?
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Why are older erythrocytes more likely to be destroyed in capillaries?
Why are older erythrocytes more likely to be destroyed in capillaries?
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Study Notes
Blood Composition and Function
- Blood is a fluid connective tissue, vital for oxygen and carbon dioxide transport.
- Composed of cells (erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets) suspended in plasma.
- Erythrocytes (red blood cells) carry oxygen; leukocytes (white blood cells) fight infection and cancer; platelets are cell fragments involved in clotting.
- Blood volume in a normal adult male is approximately 5 liters.
- Blood volume in a normal adult female is approximately 4.5 liters.
Hematocrit
- Hematocrit is the percentage of blood volume occupied by erythrocytes.
- Measured by centrifuging a blood sample.
- Normal hematocrit: ~45% in males, ~42% in females.
- Plasma comprises ~55% of blood volume, erythrocytes ~45%, and a thin buffy coat (leukocytes and platelets) in between.
Blood Color, Volume, and Properties
- Blood is red, arterial blood is scarlet (high oxygen), venous blood more purple-red (high carbon dioxide).
- Average blood volume in a newborn is 450 ml.
- Blood is slightly alkaline with a pH of 7.4.
- Blood is 5 times more viscous than water.
- The specific gravity of blood is 1.052 to 1.061
Functions of Blood
- Nutritive: Transports absorbed nutrients (glucose, amino acids, lipids, vitamins) from the digestive system to the body.
- Respiratory: Transports oxygen from lungs to tissues, and carbon dioxide from tissues to lungs.
- Excretory: Removes waste products from tissues and transports them to excretory organs (kidneys, skin, liver).
- Hormone/Enzyme Transport: Carries hormones from endocrine glands to their target organs/tissues; transports enzymes.
- Water Balance: Blood water is interchangeable with interstitial fluid, helping regulate body water content.
- Acid-Base Balance: Plasma proteins and hemoglobin act as buffers.
- Temperature Regulation: Blood's high specific heat helps maintain body temperature.
- Storage: Blood acts as a reservoir for some substances (water, electrolytes).
- Defensive: White blood cells (WBCs) defend against pathogens.
Plasma Composition
- Plasma is the liquid portion of blood, mostly water (~91-92%).
- Contains dissolved organic and inorganic substances (proteins, nutrients, waste products, hormones, electrolytes, gases).
- Plasma proteins (albumins, globulins, fibrinogen) are major solutes.
- Albumins are the most abundant; synthesized by the liver.
- Other proteins are synthesized by reticuloendothelial cells in the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and other tissue cells.
Serum
- Serum is plasma without fibrinogen (removed during clotting).
- Serum contains all other plasma components except fibrinogen.
Cellular Components of Blood
- Red blood cells (erythrocytes)
- White blood cells (leukocytes)
- Platelets (thrombocytes)
Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)
- Structure: Biconcave disk shape, high surface-to-volume ratio, lacks nucleus and organelles.
- Number Variability: ~4.5-6 million per cubic millimeter in blood. (~5.2 million in males, ~4.7 million in females)
- Hemoglobin: Contains hemoglobin, a red pigment for oxygen and carbon dioxide transport.
- Oxygen Transport: 97% of oxygen bound to hemoglobin
- Carbon Dioxide Transport: 30% of carbon dioxide bound to hemoglobin; remains that are in the form of bicarbonate ions.
- Life Span: ~120 days. Destroyed in the spleen.
- Hemoglobin breakdown: Hemoglobin is broken down into iron, globin, and porphyrin. Iron is reused; globin is recycled; bilirubin is excreted, which give the plasma its color.
Erythropoiesis
- Production of red blood cells.
- Location changes throughout development (yolk sac, liver, bone marrow).
- Stimulated by hypoxia (low oxygen), triggering erythropoietin (EPO) release from the kidneys.
- Stages of development: proerythroblast, early/intermediate/late normoblast, reticulocyte, mature erythrocyte.
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Description
Explore the essential components and functions of blood in this quiz. Learn about erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, and the significance of hematocrit in determining blood composition. Test your knowledge on blood volume variances in different individuals.
