Structure and Function of Blood

Question 1

What are the 4 components that make up blood?

Answer 1

Red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma

Question 2

Describe the structure of haemoglobin

Answer 2

It is a protein tetramer made of 4 polypeptide chains
-2 alpha globin chains
-2 beta globin chain

Each globin chain carriers a haem group which carriers a ferrous iron atom.

Question 3

Name the 5 types of white blood cells

Answer 3

Neutrophils
Lymphocytes
Monocytes
Eosinophils
Basophils

Question 4

What are the two groups white blood cells can be classified as? Where does each of the 5 white blood cells fit in?

Answer 4

Granulocytes - prominent cytoplasmic granule
-neutrophils, eosinophils, basophil

Agranulocytes - lack visible cytoplasmic granules
-glymphocytes, monocytes

Question 5

What is the most common type of white blood cell present in the blood?

Answer 5

Neutrophil

Question 6

Important features of platelets

Answer 6

They are:
-membrane bound
-no nucleus
-cytoplasmic fragments
-contain granules

Question 7

3 Important function of the blood

Answer 7

Transport -RBC

Defence: Immunity (WBC) and Haemostasis (Platelets)

Homeostasis

Question 8

Importance of red blood cells in transport

Answer 8

They transport oxygen bound to Hb from lungs to the tissues

Help in the removal of CO2 from body tissues to lungs

Buffering action, help in maintaining the blood pH

Question 9

Importance of pulse oximetry

Answer 9

It determines whether a patient is hypoxic and measures the colour of Hb

Question 10

How do neutrophils help in defence - immunity?

Answer 10

Phagocytose and kill bacteria and fungi
(Main mediators of innate immunity)

Question 11

How do lymphocytes help in defence - immunity?

Answer 11

Produce antibodies
Kill virus-infected cells
(main mediators of adaptive acquired immunity)

Question 12

How do eosinophils help in defence - immunity?

Answer 12

Kill parasites
Involved in allergic response

Question 13

How do basophils help in defence - immunity?

Answer 13

Kill parasites
Involved in allergic responses
Involved in inflammation

Question 14

How do monocytes(macrophages) help in defence - immunity?

Answer 14

Phagocytosis of dead cells and pathogens

Question 15

What role do platelets play in haemostasis?

Answer 15

They recognise damage in a blood vessel wall and form a platelet plug to prevent/ stop bleeding (temporary and insecure).

Question 16

What does plasma consist of?

Answer 16

water
plasma proteins
electrolytes
Other components: gases, waste, amino acids, glucose, hormones

Question 17

What is serum?

Answer 17

It is the fluid left after blood clotting

Question 18

Function of the plasma

Answer 18

Transports nutrients like glucose, amino acids, lipids and vitamins absorbed from the digestive tract to different parts of the body

Transport respiratory gases - co2 from tissues to lungs for excretion

Removes nitrogenous waste products produced after cellular metabolism and transports them to the lungs and kidneys for excretion

Question 19

immunoglobulins

Answer 19

Proteins present in the serum and cells in the immune system. they are made from b-lymphocytes and act as the body’s defence against bacteria, virus , fungi and parasites

Question 20

What do complement proteins do?

Answer 20

They co operate with white blood cells and immunoglobulins to kill bacteria and other pathogens

Question 21

Haemostasis

Answer 21

The body’s normal physiological response for prevention and stopping of bleeding/haemorrhage

Question 22

Why is the analysis of the plasma essential in diagnosis and treatment

Answer 22

it can be used to test the functioning of the liver and the kidney (urea and electrolytes)

Question 23

What is the equation for Haematocrit (packed cell volume)?

Answer 23

Let the blood settle it should seperate into the plasm abeing at the top and the blood cells at the bottom

Volume of cells/ Total volume

Question 24

What things are tested in common blood tests?

Answer 24

Haemoglobin concentration
Mean red cell volume
Mean cell haemoglobin content
Haemotocrit
Total white blood cell count