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Questions and Answers
What is defined as a condition where the total WBC count exceeds 11,000/mm3?
What is defined as a condition where the total WBC count exceeds 11,000/mm3?
Which of the following is a known cause of leukemia?
Which of the following is a known cause of leukemia?
What is the average normal concentration of platelets per microliter of blood?
What is the average normal concentration of platelets per microliter of blood?
Which cellular components in bone marrow are responsible for the formation of platelets?
Which cellular components in bone marrow are responsible for the formation of platelets?
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In which physiological state can leukocytosis be considered normal?
In which physiological state can leukocytosis be considered normal?
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What is the primary role of the spleen in relation to blood platelets?
What is the primary role of the spleen in relation to blood platelets?
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Which of the following describes hemostasis?
Which of the following describes hemostasis?
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What is the first step in the hemostatic mechanism?
What is the first step in the hemostatic mechanism?
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Which phase involves the formation of a temporary hemostatic plug?
Which phase involves the formation of a temporary hemostatic plug?
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What occurs during the definitive hemostatic plug formation?
What occurs during the definitive hemostatic plug formation?
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What is leucopoiesis?
What is leucopoiesis?
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What type of white blood cells are characterized by a granular appearance?
What type of white blood cells are characterized by a granular appearance?
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What is the normal range of white blood cells per micro-liter in adults?
What is the normal range of white blood cells per micro-liter in adults?
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What is one function of white blood cells?
What is one function of white blood cells?
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What condition is characterized by a decreased total WBC count below 4,000/mm3?
What condition is characterized by a decreased total WBC count below 4,000/mm3?
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Which type of cell is typically formed in the bone marrow?
Which type of cell is typically formed in the bone marrow?
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What is the main significance of the white blood cells during infections?
What is the main significance of the white blood cells during infections?
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Which of the following is NOT a type of white blood cell?
Which of the following is NOT a type of white blood cell?
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What happens to platelets when they come into contact with a damaged vascular surface?
What happens to platelets when they come into contact with a damaged vascular surface?
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Which protein do platelets adhere to in the traumatized tissue?
Which protein do platelets adhere to in the traumatized tissue?
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What is the role of thromboxane A2 released by platelets?
What is the role of thromboxane A2 released by platelets?
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What forms after the initial loose platelet plug during blood coagulation?
What forms after the initial loose platelet plug during blood coagulation?
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What condition is characterized by a low platelet count?
What condition is characterized by a low platelet count?
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What is a potential reason for low platelet counts?
What is a potential reason for low platelet counts?
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Which organ may sequester excess platelets, contributing to low platelet counts?
Which organ may sequester excess platelets, contributing to low platelet counts?
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What happens to the platelet plug if the vascular opening is small?
What happens to the platelet plug if the vascular opening is small?
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Study Notes
White Blood Cells (WBCs) and Platelets
- WBCs, also known as leukocytes, are mobile units of the body's protective system.
- They are formed partly in bone marrow (granulocytes, monocytes) and lymph tissue (lymphocytes, plasma cells).
- WBCs are crucial for fighting infections and inflammation.
- They specifically travel to areas of infection or inflammation.
- There are six main types of WBCs:
- Granulocytes: neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils
- Agranulocytes: lymphocytes, monocytes.
- Polymorphonuclear cells have a granular appearance and are thus called granulocytes ("polys").
- The normal WBC count in an adult human is approximately 7000 per microliter of blood (ranging from 4,000 to 11,000/μ³).
- Neutrophils make up approximately 62% of the total WBC count
- Functions of different types of WBCs:
- Neutrophils: first line of defense, phagocytic cells
- Eosinophils: involved in parasitic infections and allergic reactions
- Basophils: involved in releasing histamine during allergic reactions
- Lymphocytes: produce antibodies (B cells), and destroy viruses and cancer cells (T cells)
- Monocytes: phagocytic cells called macrophages once they leave the blood.
Leucopoiesis
- Leucopoiesis is the process of formation of white blood cells
- The blood stem cells differentiate into either myeloid or lymphoid stem cells.
- Myeloid stem cells give rise to granulocytes and monocytes.
- Lymphoid stem cells give rise to lymphocytes.
Leukopenia
- A condition characterized by a low WBC count (less than 4000/mm³).
- Causes of leukopenia include:
- Drugs (e.g., chloramphenicol)
- Exposure to x-rays and certain radioisotopes
- Bone marrow diseases
- Severe chronic infections
Leukocytosis
- A condition characterized by an abnormally high WBC count (greater than 11,000/mm³).
- Causes of leukocytosis include:
- Physiological conditions
- Pregnancy, after meals, exercise
- Pathological conditions such as tissue damage, pyogenic infections.
Leukemia
- A cancer characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of WBCs in bone marrow.
- Causes include:
- Genetic predisposition
- Exposure to chemicals (e.g., benzene derivatives, asbestos)
- Cytotoxic drugs (e.g., chloramphenicol)
- X-rays and radioisotopes
Platelets (Thrombocytes)
- Platelets are small, irregular-shaped cell fragments.
- Size: 1 to 4 micrometers in diameter
- They're produced in the bone marrow by megakaryocytes.
- Normal platelet count: 150,000 to 400,000 per microliter of blood (average 250,000/µL).
- Platelets are responsible for forming temporary plugs to stop bleeding from damaged blood vessels.
Thrombocytopenia
- A condition characterized by a low platelet count.
- Causes include:
- Bone marrow failure
- Immune system disorders (destroying platelets)
- Spleen enlargement (holding excess platelets)
- Combination of the above reasons
Hemostasis
- Hemostasis is the process that stops bleeding from damaged blood vessels.
How Hemostasis Works (Mechanism)
-
- Local Vasoconstriction
-
- Temporary Platelet Plug Formation
-
- Definitive Platelet Plug Formation (blood coagulation)
-
- Repair of Damaged Blood Vessels
Blood Coagulation
- Involves a cascade of proteins to form a fibrin clot.
- Intrinsic pathway (inside the blood)
- Extrinsic pathway (outside the blood)
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Description
Explore the functions and types of white blood cells (WBCs) and their role in the immune system. This quiz covers WBC formation, their specific types, and the normal WBC count in humans. Test your knowledge on how WBCs combat infections and inflammation.
