Chapter 21

Question 1

What are the three different components of whole blood and what is their percentage?

Answer 1

• Erythrocytes (44%)
• Buffy coat (1%)
• Plasma (55%)

Question 2

Function of erythrocytes:

Answer 2

Carry O2 via Hgb

Question 3

What makes up the buffy coat?

Answer 3

Leukocytes and platelets

Question 4

What is the breakdown of plasma?

Answer 4

92% water ; 7% protein ; 1% other solutes

Question 5

What is hematocrit?

Answer 5

the percentage of RBC’s in whole blood (typically about 44% but varies by gender)

Question 6

What are the four components of plasma and what is their percentage?

Answer 6

• Albumin (58%) “sticky”
• Globulins (37%) antibodies
• Fibrinogen (4%) clotting
• Regulatory proteins (1%) hormones and vitamins

Question 7

What is the significance of Gamma-globulins?

Answer 7

They are antibodies that kill pathogens (disease causing organisms)

Question 8

Approximately how many erythrocytes are there per mm^3 of whole blood? What is their lifespan?

Answer 8

~ 500 million ; ~120 days

Question 9

Approximately how many leukocytes are there per mm^3 of whole blood? What is their lifespan?

Answer 9

~ 10,000 ; varies from several hours to several years

Question 10

Approximately how many platelets are there per mm^3 of whole blood? What is their lifespan?

Answer 10

~ 150,000 - 400,000 ; 8-10 days

Question 11

What is the difference between an antigen and a pathogen?

Answer 11

Antigens are anything foreign to your body, while pathogens are any antigens that cause disease.

Question 12

What are some unique characteristics of erythrocytes?

Answer 12

They lack nuclei and organelles, have a biconcave shape ( Inc. surface area),