Blood and Blood Cells

Question 1

List the 4 main components of blood

Answer 1

Erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets and plasma

Question 2

Recall the basic structure of haemoglobin

Answer 2

4 polypeptide chains, each with a haem group

Question 3

What is the level of affinity of haem for oxygen?

Answer 3

Low

Question 4

What happens after the first oxygen binds to haemoglobin and why?

Answer 4

The shape opens up more allowing iron to bind to the oxygen easier

Question 5

What is the binding of oxygen to haemoglobin known as?

Answer 5

Cooperative binding

Question 6

What detects low oxygen levels?

Answer 6

The kidney

Question 7

What hormone does the kidney secrete in response to low oxygen levels?

Answer 7

Erythropoietin

Question 8

What does erythropoietin do?

Answer 8

Stimulates haematopoietic stem cells to differentiate into erythrocytes

Question 9

What does the kidney do in response to a high blood oxygen level?

Answer 9

Not secrete erythropoietin

Question 10

What is an immature erythrocyte known as?

Answer 10

Reticulocyte

Question 11

What is the life span of an erythrocyte?

Answer 11

120 days

Question 12

What is anaemia?

Answer 12

Low blood haemoglobin concentrations

Question 13

What is microcytic anaemia?

Answer 13

Failure of haemoglobin synthesis or iron deficiency

Question 14

What are 4 causes of microcytic anaemia?

Answer 14

Menstruation, GIT lesions, cancers or parasitic infections

Question 15

What is normocytic anaemia?

Answer 15

Acute blood loss, e.g. through an open wound

Question 16

What is macrocytic anaemia?

Answer 16

Anaemia caused by a failure of DNA synthesis and cell division so the erythrocytes are larger

Question 17

What are three causes of macrocytic anaemia?

Answer 17

Folic acid deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency and being vegetarian/vegan.

Question 18

What is polycythaemia?

Answer 18

Excess erythrocytes, e.g. from high altitude

Question 19

Is polycythaemia good or bad?

Answer 19

Can be good in sport, but the patient can suffer from heart problems due to increased viscosity

Question 20

What are the 5 types of leukocytes?

Answer 20

Lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils and monocytes

Question 21

What is the main function of lymphocytes?

Answer 21

Antibody secretion

Question 22

What is the main function of eosinophils?

Answer 22

React to allergies

Question 23

What is the main function of basophils?

Answer 23

Histamine secretion

Question 24

What is the main function of neutrophils?

Answer 24

Phagocytes

Question 25

What is the main function of monocytes?

Answer 25

Phagocytes

Question 26

Which is the most abundant leukocyte?

Answer 26

Neutrophils

Question 27

What neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils examples of?

Answer 27

Polymorphonuclear granulocytes

Question 28

Name the three polymorphonuclear granulocytes

Answer 28

Neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils

Question 29

What type of leukocyte is first to the site of infection?

Answer 29

Polymorphonuclear granulocytes

Question 30

What are the four functions of antibodies?

Answer 30

Agglutination, precipitation, opsonisation and neutralisation

Question 31

What are the five immunoglobulin classes?

Answer 31

IgM; IgG; IgA; IgD; IgE

Question 32

What appears after granulocytes?

Answer 32

Monocytes/macrophages

Question 33

Which leukocyte stimulated angiogenesis?

Answer 33

Macrophages

Question 34

What do platelets adhere to in wounds?

Answer 34

Collagen

Question 35

What is serum?

Answer 35

Blood plasma without the proteins

Question 36

What is used to differentiate between different anaemias?

Answer 36

Mean cell volume

Question 37

What is the life span of a platelet?

Answer 37

8-10 days