Blood cells & genetics

Question 1

Neutrophils (structure)

Answer 1

Size: 10-12 M
Nucleus: several lobes, deep purple
Cytoplasm: fine granules, pale pink

Question 2

Neutrophils (function)

Answer 2

Phagocytes, fight new infections

Question 3

Lymphocytes (structure)

Answer 3

Size: 5-17 M
Nucleus: large, takes up most of cell
Cytoplasm: pale blue, thin rim around nucleus

Question 4

Lymphocytes (function)

Answer 4

• Immune system
• Produces antibodies
• Direct cell attack against tumors & viruses
• Graft rejection

Question 5

Monocytes (structure)

Answer 5

Size: 14-24 M
Nucleus: kidney-shaped, thick U, dark blue-purple
Cytoplasm; smooth grey-blue

Question 6

Monocytes (function)

Answer 6

• Phagocytes that become macrophages in tissues

- chronic infection, long-term clean-up

Question 7

Eosinophils (structure)

Answer 7

Size: 10-14 M
Nucleus: blue-red, 2 lobes (disconnected or thinly connected)
Cytoplasm: light pink, coarse granules

Question 8

Eosinophils (function)

Answer 8

• Parasite detector & destroyer
• Uses digestive enzymes
• Allergy attacks

Question 9

Basophils (structure)

Answer 9

Size: 10-12 M
Nucleus: dark blue, U or S shaped with constrictions
Cytoplasm: large blue-purple granules, can look solid black/dark (blackberry)

Question 10

Basophils (function)

Answer 10

• Release histamine at sites of inflammation

- Contain anticoagulant

Question 11

Leukocytes (most to least common)

Answer 11

Neutrophils
Lymphocytes
Monocytes
Eosinophils
Basophils

Question 12

Composition of blood

Answer 12

45% formed elements (erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets)

55% plasma (water, salts/electrolytes, plasma proteins, hormones)

Question 13

Platelets

Answer 13

• Darkly-staining, irregularly shaped bodies
• Scattered among other cells
• Assist with blood clotting

Question 14

Genes

Answer 14

Pieces of DNA that code for a certain protein

Question 15

Alleles

Answer 15

Different versions of a gene

Question 16

Genotype

Answer 16

What allelic form you have; individual genetic makeup

Question 17

Anemia

Answer 17

Decrease in oxygen-carrying ability of blood

• decrease in RBC number
• inadequate hemoglobin content in RBCs
• abnormal hemoglobin in RBCs (sickle-cell anemia = weird-shaped hemoglobin)

Question 18

Polycythemia

Answer 18

Excessive or abnormal increase in the number of erythrocytes

• bone marrow cancer (leukemia)
• normal homeostatic response to living at high altitudes

Question 19

Leukopenia

Answer 19

Abnormally low WBC count

- Certain drugs, corticosteroids and anticancer agents

Question 20

Leukocytosis

Answer 20

High WBC count (over 11,000 cells/mm3)

Indicated presence of virus

Question 21

Hemocytoblast

Answer 21

Stem cell residing in red marrow

• Forms lymphoid stem cell, which produces lymphocytes
• Forms myeloid stem cell, which produces all other formed elements

Question 22

Hemostasis Part I: Vascular Spasms Occur

Answer 22

• Vasoconstriction, causing spasms in vessel
• Blood vessel narrows, decreasing blood loss
• Better spasm response with tearing (as opposed to cutting) injuries

Question 23

Hemostasis Part II: Platelet Plug Forms

Answer 23

• Collagen fibers are exposed by a break in the blood vessel
• Platelets become “sticky” and cling to fibers
• Anchored platelets release chemicals to attract more platelets
• Platelets pile up to form a platelet plug

Question 24

Hemostasis Part III: Coagulation Events Occur

Answer 24

• Injured tissue releases tissue factor (TF)
• PF3 interacts with TF, blood protein clotting factors, and calcium ions to form a clotting cascade
• Prothrombin activator converts prothrombin to thrombin, an enzyme
• Thrombin joins fibrinogen proteins into fibrin, insoluble hair-like molecules
• Fibrin forms meshwork basis for clot