IC1 Blood Anatomy

Question 1

What is the composition of blood?

Answer 1

50-60% Plasma
- Water
- Proteins
- Other solutes

40-50% Formed elements
- RBC
- Buffy coat - WBC + platelets

Question 2

What is the composition of plasma?

Answer 2

92% Water
7% Protein
1% Other solutes

Question 3

What are the characteristics of RBCs?
- Lifespan?
- Where are worn out RBC destroyed?
- What is its shape?
- Does it have a nucleus?
- Difference in RBC count between males & females

Answer 3

Lifespan - 3 to 4 months

Worn out RBCs - destroyed in the spleen

Biconcave shape

No nucleus & most organelles

Males have higher RBC count than females
Males - 13.1 – 16.8 g/dL
Females - 11.5 – 14.9 g/dL

Question 4

What is the characteristics of WBCs?
- Do WBCs have nucleus?
- Lifespan?

Answer 4

Yes WBCs have nucleus.

Lifespan of a few days

Question 5

What is the function of WBC?

Answer 5

1. To protect the body from pathogens
2. Remove toxins & abnormal/damaged cells

Question 6

What are the 5 types of WBCs?

Answer 6

1. Neutrophils
2. Eosinophil
3. Basophils
4. Monocytes
5. Lymphocytes

Question 7

Which of the 5 WBCs are granulocytes and non-granulocytes?

Answer 7

Granulocytes means that the cell contain granules.

Non-granulocytes means that the cell does not contain granules.

Granulocytes - neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils

Non-granulocytes - monocytes, lymphocytes

Question 8

What is the function of neutrophils?

Answer 8

1. Specialize in attacking & digesting bacteria that have been marked for destruction
2. Highly mobile & first to arrive at site of acute inflammation/phagocytosis

Question 9

What is the function of eosinophils?

Answer 9

Main method of attack:
- Exocytosis of toxic compounds onto the surface of a target

Other method of attack:
- Phagocytosis

Helps to defend against parasites.

Question 10

What is the function of basophils?

Answer 10

Migrate to injury sites & discharge contents of granules. This enhances local inflammation of mast cells & attract other WBCs

Question 11

What is the function of monocytes?

Answer 11

Monocytes help to generate macrophages which deals w organisms not easily dealt with by neutrophils.

Question 12

What is the function of lymphocytes?

Answer 12

To produce antibodies

Question 13

Summary of all the functions of the 5 types of WBC:

Answer 13

Neutrophil:
- Attack & digest bacteria that have been marked for destruction

Eosinophil:
- Defend against parasites.
- (Main) Exocytosis of toxic compound
- (Other) Phagocytosis

Basophil:
- Migrate to injury sites & release granules which enhances mast cell inflammation & attract other WBCs

Monocytes:
- To generate macrophages, which deals w organisms that neutrophils cannot easily deal with

Lymphocytes:
- Produce antibodies

Question 14

What are the characteristics of platelets?

Answer 14

1. Flatten disk-like cell fragments of about 1-4µm
2. Produced by megakaryocytes found in bone marrow

Question 15

What are the 4 functions of platelets?

Answer 15

1. Adhere to collagenous tissue when there is vascular damage, to form temporary patch
2. Release factors that induce platelet aggregation
3. Secrete factors involved in vascular repair
4. Promotes blood clotting, retraction & removal

Question 16

What is the function of red bone marrow?

Answer 16

1. Produce billions of RBC, WBC, & platelets daily
2. Removes worn-out RBC, similar to spleen

Question 17

How does the red bone marrow in our body change as we age?

Answer 17

<5 years: all bone marrow

5 - 20 years: bone marrow in ribs, sternum, vertebrae, proximal ends of long bones
(4 places w bone marrow)

> 20 years: bone marrow in ribs, sternum, vertebrae
(3 places w bone marrow)