Blood Composition and Function

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Questions and Answers

What is the main difference between serum and plasma in terms of composition?

  • Serum contains fibrinogen and clotting factors.
  • Plasma contains serum and red blood cells.
  • Serum is plasma minus fibrinogen and all clotting factors. (correct)
  • Plasma contains more nutrients than serum.

What is the correct procedure for obtaining plasma from whole blood?

  • Use a pipette to collect blood directly from the syringe.
  • Transfer blood to a container without anticoagulant and wait for it to clot.
  • Centrifuge anti-coagulated blood at 2500 rpm for 20-30 minutes. (correct)
  • Allow blood to sit at room temperature for several hours.

What happens to red blood cells during the process of centrifuging blood to obtain plasma?

  • They remain suspended in the supernatant fluid.
  • They convert into serum over time.
  • They form a packed layer at the bottom of the tube. (correct)
  • They are completely dissolved in the plasma.

In the diagram comparing serum and plasma, what is indicated by the yellow liquid?

<p>Serum, which is plasma without clotting factors. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How long should blood remain in a container to form serum before pipetting?

<p>For one to two hours. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of blood concerning homeostasis?

<p>Temperature regulation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which component makes up the largest percentage of blood by volume?

<p>Plasma (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of albumin in blood plasma?

<p>Maintenance of osmotic pressure (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many white blood cells are typically found per cubic millimeter of blood?

<p>5,000-10,000 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a function of blood?

<p>Stoppage of bleeding (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of blood volume do formed elements account for?

<p>45% (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which plasma protein has the highest concentration?

<p>Albumin (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of red blood cells is typically found in the blood?

<p>4.2-6.2 million per cubic mm (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which blood sample type is most commonly used for routine laboratory tests?

<p>Venous sample (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common use for arterial blood samples?

<p>Blood pH and arterial blood gases (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of blood sample is taken from the fingertip or heel?

<p>Capillary sample (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of veins allows them to accommodate larger volumes of blood?

<p>Thin walls and wide lumens (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of globulins in the blood?

<p>Defensive function and transportation of substances (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following samples is NOT suitable for hematological tests?

<p>Hemolyzed samples (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which blood condition is characterized by a decrease in red blood corpuscles?

<p>Anemia (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which is true about the structure of arteries?

<p>They have thick walls and narrow lumens (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are capillary blood tests often less reliable for certain values?

<p>Sample dilution from tissue fluid (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the range for white blood corpuscles in a healthy individual?

<p>4000 to 11000 per cubic mm (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the preferred method for blood sample collection in infants?

<p>Capillary sample from the heel (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of fibrinogen in the blood?

<p>To aid in blood clotting (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to samples if even a small clot forms in anti-coagulated blood?

<p>They can negate the test results (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the increase in white blood corpuscles?

<p>Leucocytosis (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct sequence of blood vessels starting from the heart?

<p>Arteries → Arterioles → Capillary Bed → Venules → Veins (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What describes the role of platelets in the blood?

<p>Blood clotting (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Liver Function

The liver plays a role in transporting substances and producing blood clotting factors.

Globulins

Proteins in blood plasma that have roles in transport and immune function (gamma globulins).

Fibrinogen

A protein in blood plasma crucial for blood clotting and viscosity.

Prothrombin

A protein in blood plasma essential for blood clotting.

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Red Blood Cells (RBCs)

Cells in blood that carry oxygen, measured by millions per cubic millimeter.

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Anemia

A condition where there are fewer red blood cells than normal.

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White Blood Cells (WBCs)

Cells in blood that fight infection, measured in thousands per cubic millimeter.

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Platelets

Cells that help with blood clotting, measured in hundreds of thousands per cubic millimeter.

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Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart, typically deeper and with thick walls.

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Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart, often closer to the surface.

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Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart, possessing thinner walls and wider lumens than arteries.

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Venous Blood Sample

A blood sample collected from a vein; the preferred method for most clinical tests.

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Venipuncture

The process of puncturing a vein to collect blood.

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Arterial Blood Sample

A blood sample collected from an artery, often used for specific measurements like blood gases.

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Artery

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

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Capillary Blood Sample

Blood sample collected from capillaries, often used for basic tests on infants or those with fragile veins.

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Hemolysed Sample

Blood sample where the red blood cells have broken down, releasing hemoglobin and causing a discoloration.

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Clotted Sample

A blood sample that has formed a clot, impacting results of some tests.

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Plasma

The liquid portion of blood, containing water, salts, and proteins. It's essentially blood without blood cells.

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Blood, whole

Blood sample containing both the liquid part (plasma) and the cells.

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Serum

Serum is plasma with the clotting factors and fibrinogen removed.

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Plasma

Plasma is the liquid portion of blood, after removing the cellular components (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets).

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Blood Collection (serum)

Collecting blood without anticoagulants, allowing it to clot, and separating the serum from the clot.

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Blood Collection (Plasma)

Collecting blood with an anticoagulant, and separating the liquid part (plasma) by centrifugation.

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Centrifuge

A machine that spins samples at high speeds to separate components with different densities.

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Anticoagulant

A substance that prevents blood clotting.

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Supernatant

The liquid layer at the top of a sample after centrifugation.

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Packed RBCs

The red blood cells (RBCs) that are tightly clumped together at the bottom of a blood sample after centrifugation.

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Blood Composition

Blood is a mixture of plasma (liquid) and formed elements (cells).

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Plasma

The liquid component of blood, mostly water, proteins, and other solutes.

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Formed Elements

The cellular components of blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

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Red Blood Cells

Carry oxygen throughout the body.

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White Blood Cells

Fight infection.

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Platelets

Essential for blood clotting.

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Plasma proteins

Proteins (albumin, globulins, fibrinogen) in plasma with diverse functions.

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Albumin's function

Maintains osmotic balance in blood.

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Study Notes

Blood Composition and Function

  • Blood is a vital fluid tissue, making up 8% of body weight (approximately 5.6 liters).
  • Blood's functions include: transport, defense (e.g., stopping bleeding), and homeostasis.

Blood Composition Breakdown

  • Plasma (55%): Mostly water (91%), with proteins (7%), and other solutes (2%).

    • Plasma proteins include albumin (osmotic pressure, transport), globulins (defense, transport), fibrinogen (blood clotting).
    • Other solutes include ions, nutrients, waste products, gases, and regulatory substances.

  • Formed elements (45%):

    • Red blood cells (RBCs): 4.2-6.2 million per cubic mm. Low RBCs is anemia; high RBCs is polycythemia.
    • White blood cells (WBCs): 4000-11000 per cubic mm. Low WBCs is leukopenia; high WBCs is leukocytosis. Types include neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.
    • Platelets: 250,000-500,000 per cubic mm. Low platelets is thrombocytopenia; high platelets is thrombocytosis.

Blood Vessels

  • Arteries: Carry blood away from the heart; thick walls, narrow lumens, less distensible.
  • Veins: Carry blood to the heart; thinner walls, wider lumens, more distensible (can store more blood).

Blood Sampling Types

  • Venous blood: From superficial veins (preferred for most clinical tests). Infants may use the femoral vein.
  • Arterial blood: From arteries (used for blood gas analysis and pH). Radial or femoral arteries are often used.
  • Capillary blood: From fingertips, heels, earlobes (used for Hb estimation, cell counts, coagulation time, blood groups in infants & children, and patients with fragile veins).

Unsuitable Blood Samples for Hematological Tests

  • Clotted blood: Even small clots invalidate results.
  • Hemolysed blood: Red blood cell rupture releases hemoglobin, rendering the sample unusable.

Blood Sample Processing

  • Whole blood/Plasma: Blood withdrawn is mixed with an anticoagulant. If plasma is desired, centrifugation separates plasma from formed elements.
  • Serum: Blood draws are allowed to clot; the supernatant is collected as serum. Centrifugation helps remove any remaining cells.

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