BL - Haematopoiesis

Question 1

What is an erythrocyte more commonly known as?

Answer 1

Red blood cell

Question 2

Why don’t red blood cells have a nucleus or organelles?

Answer 2

To maximise space for carriage of gases.

Question 3

Which cells are known as the “first line killers” of the body’s immune system?

Answer 3

Neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils and monocytes.

Question 4

How do neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils and monocytes destroy pathogens?

Answer 4

They smell the organism’s “chemotaxis” then move, engulf and kill using the contents of their granules.

Question 5

What is the role of platelets?

Answer 5

They looks for small breaks in blood vessels and form a “primary plug” of platelets to stop the bleeding. They form a surface for clotting factors to make the definitive clot.

Question 6

How much of total blood is made up of plasma?

Answer 6

55%, and erythrocytes make up 45%

Question 7

What is the main role of B cells?

Answer 7

Produce antibodies once faced with foreign antigen.

Question 8

What is the main role of T cells?

Answer 8

Recognise foreign proteins and activate other cells, can also inhibit immune response

Question 9

What is the main role of natural killer cells?

Answer 9

Stimulating sick cells to self destruct in apoptosis