Blood, Heart, and Immunity

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Questions and Answers

Name the four chambers of the human heart.

Left atrium, left ventricle, right atrium, right ventricle.

What is the main role of the heart valves?

To prevent the backflow of blood.

Describe the composition and function of plasma.

Plasma is the straw-colored liquid component of blood, making up about 55% of its total volume. It is approximately 90% water and contains dissolved proteins, glucose, mineral ions, hormones, carbon dioxide, platelets, and blood cells themselves. It helps regulate body temperature and transport substances.

What are the main functions of red blood cells (erythrocytes)?

Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and removing carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. Signup and view all the answers

What are the main functions of white blood cells (leukocytes)?

White blood cells fight infection. Key characteristics include being relatively large, having a nucleus, and some types (phagocytes) engulfing pathogens. They are crucial for both passive and active immunity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of platelets?

Platelets are responsible for blood clotting. Signup and view all the answers

What is anemia?

Anemia is a condition where the blood has a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells or a lower amount of hemoglobin, leading to reduced oxygen transport. Signup and view all the answers

What is leukemia?

Leukemia is a type of cancer affecting the blood or bone marrow, characterized by an abnormal proliferation of blood cells, usually white blood cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is hemophilia?

Hemophilia is a genetic bleeding disorder where the blood lacks sufficient clotting factors, leading to prolonged bleeding. Signup and view all the answers

What are allergies?

Allergies are a damaging immune response by the body to a substance (allergen) to which it has become hypersensitive, such as pollen, dust, or fur. Signup and view all the answers

What is an autoimmune disease? Provide examples.

An autoimmune disease is an illness that occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. Examples include Crohn's disease, Type 1 Diabetes, and Rheumatoid arthritis. Signup and view all the answers

How does the HIV virus affect the body?

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks white blood cells (specifically T helper cells), eventually destroying them and weakening the immune system, leading to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Signup and view all the answers

Describe the characteristics of arteries.

Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. They are typically very thick and elastic to withstand the high pressure of blood flow from the heart's pumping action. They mostly carry oxygen-rich blood to body tissues. Signup and view all the answers

What are capillaries and what is their main function?

Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels, forming networks that connect arteries and veins. Their thin walls allow for the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste products between the blood and the body tissues. Signup and view all the answers

Describe veins and explain the importance of their valves.

Veins are blood vessels that carry blood back towards the heart. They generally carry deoxygenated blood. Valves within the veins are crucial to prevent the backflow of blood, especially in the limbs, ensuring blood returns to the heart against gravity. Signup and view all the answers

Name two malfunctions related to blood vessels or circulation mentioned.

Heart Attacks and Atherosclerosis (which can involve thrombosis or embolism). Signup and view all the answers

What are the two primary ways white blood cells contribute to active immunity?

Some B cells produce antibodies against specific foreign antigens, and some T cells directly attack and destroy foreign cells or harmful cells like cancer cells. Signup and view all the answers

What role do B cells play in active immunity?

Some B cells produce antibodies, which are proteins that specifically target and neutralize foreign antigens, such as those found on bacteria or viruses. Signup and view all the answers

What role do some T cells play in active immunity?

Some T cells (like cytotoxic T cells) directly attack and destroy foreign cells, virus-infected cells, and potentially cancerous cells. Signup and view all the answers

What are pathogens?

Pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms or agents, including microbes like bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and parasitic worms. Signup and view all the answers

What is vaccination?

Vaccination is the process of introducing a vaccine (containing weakened, killed, or parts of a pathogen) into the body to stimulate the immune system and gain active immunity to that specific pathogen without causing the disease. Signup and view all the answers

What is passive immunity?

Passive immunity is short-term immunity resulting from the introduction of antibodies from another person or animal, rather than the body producing its own. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the pathway of air through the respiratory system.

Air enters through the nose (nasal cavity), where it is filtered, moistened, and warmed. It then passes through the pharynx, past the epiglottis (which covers the larynx during swallowing), into the larynx (voice box), down the trachea (windpipe), into the bronchi, which branch into smaller bronchioles, finally reaching the alveoli within the lungs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of cartilage in the respiratory tract, and why are bronchioles prone to constriction in conditions like asthma?

Cartilage provides structural support to keep airways like the trachea and bronchi open. Bronchioles lack cartilage, making them more susceptible to constriction (narrowing) and collapse, which is a key feature of asthma attacks. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the structure of alveoli and explain why it is suited for gas exchange.

Alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs with very thin, moist membranes. They are surrounded by a dense network of blood capillaries. This structure provides a huge surface area and a very short diffusion distance, facilitating the efficient exchange of oxygen (O2) from inhaled air into the blood and carbon dioxide (CO2) from the blood into the air to be exhaled. Signup and view all the answers

How is the breakdown of glucose related to the production of ATP?

Cellular respiration breaks down glucose in the presence of oxygen, releasing the chemical energy stored in glucose. This released energy is captured and used to synthesize ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the main energy currency used by cells for various processes. Signup and view all the answers

Write the overall chemical equation for aerobic cellular respiration.

$C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text{Energy (approx. 36 ATP)}$ Signup and view all the answers

Describe aerobic respiration, including its location and net ATP gain.

Aerobic respiration is the breakdown of glucose in the presence of oxygen to produce ATP. It primarily occurs in the mitochondria of cells and yields a net gain of approximately 36 ATP molecules per molecule of glucose. Signup and view all the answers

Describe anaerobic respiration (fermentation), including its location, net ATP gain, and types.

Anaerobic respiration is the breakdown of glucose without oxygen. It occurs in the cytoplasm and yields a much smaller net gain of only 2 ATP per glucose molecule. Common types include Lactic Acid Fermentation (in bacteria and animal muscle cells, producing lactic acid) and Alcoholic Fermentation (in yeast/fungus, producing ethanol and CO2). Signup and view all the answers

What are the four chambers of the human heart?

Left atrium, left ventricle, right atrium, right ventricle. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the heart valves?

To prevent the backflow of blood. Signup and view all the answers

Describe plasma.

Plasma is the straw-colored liquid component of blood, composed of about 90% water, and it helps regulate body temperature. Signup and view all the answers

Name the three main types of blood cells and their primary functions.

Red blood cells (erythrocytes) carry oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. White blood cells (leukocytes) fight infection. Platelets are involved in blood clotting. Signup and view all the answers

What is anemia?

Anemia is a condition characterized by a lower-than-normal amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen. Signup and view all the answers

What is leukemia?

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow. Signup and view all the answers

What is hemophilia?

Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder characterized by a lack of sufficient blood clotting factors. Signup and view all the answers

What are allergies?

Allergies are damaging immune responses by the body to substances (like pollen, dust, or fur) to which it has become hypersensitive. Signup and view all the answers

What is an autoimmune disease?

An autoimmune disease is an illness that occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. Signup and view all the answers

How does the HIV virus primarily affect the body?

The HIV virus attacks white blood cells (specifically helper T-cells). Signup and view all the answers

Describe arteries and their function.

Arteries are generally thick-walled, elastic blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart. Signup and view all the answers

What are capillaries and their main function?

Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels and are the primary site for the exchange of substances like oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste products between the blood and body tissues. Signup and view all the answers

Describe veins and the importance of their valves.

Veins are blood vessels that carry blood back towards the heart. They contain valves that are important for preventing the backflow of blood, especially in the limbs. Signup and view all the answers

List some malfunctions of the circulatory system mentioned.

Heart Attacks and Atherosclerosis (including thrombosis and embolism). Signup and view all the answers

How does active immunity develop?

Active immunity develops when the body's own immune system, particularly white blood cells (WBCs), responds to an infection or vaccination by producing antibodies and memory cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of some B cells in the immune response?

Some B cells produce antibodies that specifically target foreign antigens, such as proteins on the surface of bacteria or viruses. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of some T cells in the immune response?

Some T cells directly attack and destroy foreign cells, cells infected with viruses, and potentially cancerous cells. Signup and view all the answers

What are pathogens?

Pathogens are microbes or other agents that cause disease, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and parasitic worms. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of vaccination?

Vaccination helps the body gain active immunity to a harmful pathogen without causing the full disease. Signup and view all the answers

What is passive immunity?

Passive immunity is temporary immunity acquired by receiving antibodies that your body did not produce itself. Signup and view all the answers

List two examples of immune system malfunctions.

Allergies and autoimmune diseases. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the effect of the AIDS/HIV virus on the immune system.

The HIV virus attacks specific white blood cells (helper T-cells), eventually destroying them and severely weakening the immune system. Signup and view all the answers

Trace the typical path of air from the nose to the alveoli in the lungs.

Nose (nasal cavity) → pharynx → larynx → trachea → bronchi → bronchioles → alveoli. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key structural difference between bronchi and bronchioles related to cartilage, and what condition relates to bronchiole constriction?

Bronchi contain cartilage for structural support, while bronchioles lack cartilage. This makes bronchioles more susceptible to constriction, as seen in conditions like asthma. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the structure of alveoli and how it relates to their function.

Alveoli are tiny air sacs with very thin, moist membranes surrounded by a dense network of blood capillaries. This structure provides a huge surface area for efficient gas exchange (oxygen entering blood, carbon dioxide leaving blood). Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between glucose breakdown (cellular respiration) and ATP?

During cellular respiration, the chemical energy stored in glucose is released through its breakdown and used to synthesize ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Signup and view all the answers

Write the overall chemical equation for aerobic cellular respiration.

$C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text{ATP (energy)}$ Signup and view all the answers

Where does aerobic respiration primarily occur in eukaryotic cells, and what is its approximate net ATP yield per glucose molecule?

Aerobic respiration primarily occurs in the mitochondria, and it yields a net gain of approximately 36 ATP molecules per molecule of glucose. Signup and view all the answers

Where does anaerobic respiration occur, what is its net ATP gain, and what are common end products?

Anaerobic respiration occurs in the cytoplasm and produces a net gain of only 2 ATP per glucose molecule. Common end products include lactic acid (e.g., in human muscle cells during intense exercise, some bacteria) or ethanol and carbon dioxide (e.g., in yeast). Signup and view all the answers

List the four chambers of the human heart.

Left atrium, left ventricle, right atrium, right ventricle. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of heart valves?

To prevent the backflow of blood. Signup and view all the answers

What is blood?

Blood is a specialized body fluid composed of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products. Signup and view all the answers

Which description best fits blood plasma?

Straw-colored liquid, mostly water, helps regulate body temperature (A) Signup and view all the answers

Match the blood cell component with its primary function:

Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes) = Carry oxygen from lungs to tissues and remove carbon dioxide White Blood Cells (Leukocytes) = Fight infection and are key to the immune response Platelets = Aid in blood clotting Signup and view all the answers

What is anemia?

Anemia is a condition characterized by a lower-than-normal amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin, leading to reduced oxygen transport. Signup and view all the answers

What is leukemia?

Leukemia is a type of cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow, characterized by the abnormal production of white blood cells. Signup and view all the answers

Describe hemophilia.

Hemophilia is a genetic bleeding disorder where the blood lacks sufficient clotting factors, leading to prolonged bleeding. Signup and view all the answers

Define allergies.

Allergies are a damaging or exaggerated immune response by the body to a substance (allergen) to which it has become hypersensitive, such as pollen, dust, or fur. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an autoimmune disease where the body tissues are attacked by its own immune system?

Crohn's disease (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of blood cell does the HIV virus primarily attack?

White blood cells (specifically T-helper cells, a type of leukocyte). Signup and view all the answers

What is the general function of blood vessels?

Blood vessels are tubular structures that form a network throughout the body to transport blood. Signup and view all the answers

Arteries are typically thin-walled vessels that carry deoxygenated blood towards the heart.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of capillaries?

Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels where the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste products occurs between the blood and the body's tissues. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of veins, and why are valves important within them?

Veins carry blood back towards the heart. Valves within veins are crucial for preventing the backflow of blood, especially in limbs where blood must travel against gravity. Signup and view all the answers

Name two malfunctions related to the circulatory system mentioned in the context of arteries, capillaries, and veins.

Heart Attacks, Atherosclerosis (which can lead to thrombosis or embolism). Signup and view all the answers

How do specialized white blood cells (B cells and T cells) contribute to active immunity?

B cells produce antibodies against antigens, and T cells attack foreign or harmful cells. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What are pathogens?

Pathogens are disease-causing organisms or agents, including microbes like bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and also parasitic worms. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of vaccination?

Vaccination aims to induce active immunity against a specific harmful pathogen by exposing the body to a weakened, inactivated, or component part of the pathogen, without causing the full disease. Signup and view all the answers

What is passive immunity?

Passive immunity is short-term immunity acquired by receiving antibodies that were produced by another person or animal, rather than by the individual's own immune system. Signup and view all the answers

Name two types of immune system malfunctions.

Allergies and autoimmune diseases. Signup and view all the answers

The AIDS/HIV virus primarily weakens the immune system by attacking red blood cells.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

In biology, what are the two main processes referred to by the term 'respiration'?

<ol> <li>Physiological respiration (breathing): The process of gas exchange (inhaling oxygen, exhaling carbon dioxide) between an organism and its environment. 2. Cellular respiration: The metabolic process within cells that converts biochemical energy from nutrients (like glucose) into ATP, releasing waste products.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Trace the path of inhaled air from the nasal cavity to the alveoli in the lungs.

Nasal Cavity (nose) → Pharynx → Larynx → Trachea → Bronchi → Bronchioles → Alveoli. Signup and view all the answers

Why are bronchioles more susceptible to constriction or collapse (as seen in asthma) compared to the trachea or bronchi?

Bronchioles lack the supportive rings of cartilage found in the trachea and bronchi, making their smooth muscle walls more prone to constricting or collapsing. Signup and view all the answers

Which combination of features best describes the structure of alveoli, making them efficient for gas exchange?

A thin, moist membrane, a large surface area, and close proximity to blood capillaries (C) Signup and view all the answers

Explain the relationship between glucose breakdown and ATP synthesis, particularly the role of oxygen.

Cellular respiration breaks down glucose to release chemical energy. In aerobic respiration, oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor, allowing for the maximum extraction of energy from glucose to produce a large amount of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the cell's primary energy currency. Signup and view all the answers

Write the overall balanced chemical equation for aerobic cellular respiration.

$C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text{Energy (ATP)}$ Signup and view all the answers

Where does aerobic respiration primarily occur in eukaryotic cells, and what is its approximate net ATP yield per molecule of glucose?

Location: Mitochondria. Net ATP gain: approximately 36 ATP. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes anaerobic respiration (fermentation)?

It occurs in the cytoplasm, does not require oxygen, and yields a net gain of 2 ATP per glucose. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Heart Chambers

The human heart has four chambers: the left atrium, left ventricle, right atrium, and right ventricle.

Heart Valve Role

Heart valves prevent the backflow of blood, ensuring it moves in one direction through the heart.

Plasma Definition

Plasma is the straw-colored liquid component of blood, about 90% water. It helps regulate body temperature.

Blood Cell Types

Red blood cells (RBCs or erythrocytes) carry oxygen. White blood cells (WBCs or leukocytes) fight infection. Platelets aid in blood clotting.