Blood Plasma Proteins and Function Quiz

Erythrocytes are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. They contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds to oxygen reversibly.

Plasma is the liquid portion of blood. It is composed of water, dissolved substances, and plasma proteins.

Albumins are the most abundant type of plasma proteins. They help regulate blood pressure by maintaining osmotic pressure.

Globulins are a type of plasma protein that transport various substances, including hormones and ions, throughout the body.

Fibrinogen is a plasma protein involved in blood clotting. When activated, it forms fibrin, which helps create a clot to stop bleeding.

Erythrocytes, or red blood cells, are biconcave, thin cells responsible for oxygen transport in the blood. As they lack nuclei and other organelles, they are smaller than other cells, having a diameter of 7.2 - 8.4 µm.

Red blood cells have a significantly larger surface area to volume ratio compared to spherical cells. This structure allows for efficient diffusion of oxygen across the cell membrane.

Red blood cells stack together in small capillaries to form rouleaux, which prevents individual cells from bumping the walls and forming logjams.

Red blood cells are flexible and can squeeze through capillaries with diameters as small as 4 µm.

Red blood cells lack most organelles, including the nucleus. This allows for more space within the cell to hold hemoglobin, which binds to oxygen.

Each red blood cell contains approximately 250 million hemoglobin molecules.

Blood type is determined by the presence of specific antigens, known as agglutinogens, on the surface of red blood cells.

Agglutinogens are integral membrane glycoproteins or glycolipids that act as surface antigens on red blood cells. They are responsible for triggering immune responses to foreign blood types.

A type of white blood cell with red-staining granules, important for fighting parasites and allergic reactions.

A type of white blood cell with purple or blue granules, involved in inflammation and allergic responses, releasing histamine and heparin.

A type of white blood cell, the largest of the leukocytes. They mature into macrophages, engulfing large particles and releasing chemicals to attract other immune cells.

This type of lymphocyte works for cell-mediated immunity, targeting specific foreign cells and tissues.

This type of lymphocyte works for humoral immunity, fighting foreign antigens by producing antibodies.

These lymphocytes patrol the body, identifying and destroying abnormal cells, helping to prevent cancer.

Small, non-nucleated fragments of megakaryocytes, essential for blood clot formation and wound healing.

Large bone marrow cells that produce platelets, crucial for blood clotting.

Temporary blockage formed by platelets at the site of a blood vessel injury.

The process where blood clots form to stop bleeding. It involves a series of steps that ultimately convert fibrinogen to fibrin.

The sequence of events when blood vessels constrict to reduce blood flow after injury.

A substance released by damaged tissues that initiates the extrinsic coagulation pathway.

A substance released by platelets during activation, which plays a crucial role in platelet aggregation and secretion.

The process where platelets adhere to the injured vessel wall and begin forming a plug.

The process where platelets accumulate at the site of injury and stick to each other, forming a temporary plug.

The process where platelets become spherical and develop cytoplasmic processes, releasing chemicals that aid in clotting and vessel repair.

Antibodies bind to antigens on foreign red blood cells (RBCs), causing them to clump together (agglutination) and potentially burst (hemolysis).

Agglutination refers to the clumping of RBCs when antibodies bind to antigens on their surface.

Hemolysis is the breakdown or rupture of RBCs, often caused by the action of antibodies.

The Rh factor (also Rhesus antigen or D antigen) is a protein found on the surface of some RBCs. Its presence or absence determines whether a person is Rh-positive or Rh-negative.

Rhesus positive (Rh+) individuals possess the Rh factor on their RBCs, while Rh negative (Rh-) individuals lack it.

Rh incompatibility occurs when an Rh-negative individual is exposed to Rh-positive blood, triggering the development of anti-Rh antibodies.

Rh incompatibility during pregnancy arises when an Rh-negative mother carries an Rh-positive fetus. The mother's immune system may develop anti-Rh antibodies, which can attack fetal RBCs.

Erythroblastosis fetalis (Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn, HDN) is a condition caused by Rh incompatibility during pregnancy. It involves the destruction of fetal RBCs by maternal anti-Rh antibodies, leading to severe anemia and jaundice.

RhoGam is a medication containing anti-Rh antibodies used to prevent Rh incompatibility during pregnancy. It destroys fetal RBCs before they can stimulate the mother's immune system to produce anti-Rh antibodies, thus preventing sensitization.

Before blood transfusions, compatibility testing is crucial to prevent transfusion reactions. It involves determining blood types using antibody solutions and cross-matching donor and recipient blood to ensure no agglutination occurs.