IMM- intro to the structure and function of blood

Question 1

outline the major components of blood and their main functions

Answer 1

plasma and cells (red, white and platelets)

Question 2

what is the function of RBC

Answer 2

transport oxygen around the body

Question 3

what is unique about RBC

Answer 3

they have no nucleus or DNA, biconcave shape

Question 4

what is the role of WBC

Answer 4

act as the bodies defence mechanism

Question 5

what is the role of platelets

Answer 5

clotting cascade

Question 6

what is the role of plasma

Answer 6

transport nutrients, hormones and proteins to the body parts that need them

Question 7

what is plasma

Answer 7

a fluid containing water, salts, proteins and organic molecules such as metabolites and lipids

Question 8

what is the most common plasma protein

Answer 8

albumin

Question 9

what are the roles of plasma proteins in immunity

Answer 9

immunoglobulins - act as antibodies against pathogens

complement proteins kill bacteria and other pathogens and cooperate with immunoglobulins and white blood cells

Question 10

what are the roles of plasma proteins in haemostasis

Answer 10

fibrinogen is converted to fibrin which forms a blood clot with clotting factors controlling this process

fibrin clot reinforces the primary platelet plug
albumin helps maintain blood volume by preventing fluid leaking into cells which do not need it

Question 11

what are the two most common types of white blood cells

Answer 11

neutrophils and lymphocytes

Question 12

how are neutrophils classified morphologically and what are their function

Answer 12

polymorphonuclear (irregular, multilobed nucleus)
granulocyte (permanent cytoplasmic granules)
phagocytose and kill bacteria and fungi
main mediators of innate immunity

Question 13

how are eosinophils classified morphologically and what are their function

Answer 13

granulocyte (granules stain red with eosin)

kill parasites and are involved in allergic responses

Question 14

how are basophils classified morphologically and what are their function

Answer 14

granulocyte (granules stained blue or purple with basic dyes)
kill parasites
involved in allergic response and inflammation

Question 15

how are monocytes classified morphologically and what are their function

Answer 15

lack granules
have large regular nuclei (mononuclear)
macrophages = involved in phagocytosis of dead cells and pathogens

Question 16

how are lymphocytes classified morphologically and what are their function

Answer 16

lack granules
have large irregular nuclei (mononuclear)
produce antibodies
kill virus infected cells
are main mediators of adaptive immunity

Question 17

outline the structure of haemoglobin and its role in oxygen transport

Answer 17

haemoglobin is a protein tetramer made up of four polypeptide chains - 2A and 2b chains
each globin chain carries a haem molecule
haem holds a ferrous atom which oxygen binds to reversibly by a coordination bond

Question 18

scribe the origin and role of platelets

Answer 18

platelets (thrombocytes) are cytoplasmic fragments with no nucleus which are membrane bound and contain granules

major role = primary haemostasis :
recognise blood vessel damage
form a platelet plug
prevent / stop bleeding

Question 19

describe the difference between plasma and serum

Answer 19

plasma = fluid component of blood
serum = fluid left after blood clotting

Question 20

state where blood cells origniate

Answer 20

mature blood cells are produced from stem cells in the bone marrow so the bone marrow contains lots of immature blood cells

Question 21

state the normal values for blood volume

Answer 21

approx 5 litres for 70 kg male

70 ml per kg

Question 22

state the normal values for plasma

Answer 22

2.5 - 3 litres

Question 23

what is haematocrit and what is not normal value

Answer 23

packed cell volume

04.-0.5

Question 24

what is the life span of a red cell

Answer 24

120 days

Question 25

in a full blood count what is haemoglobin concentration

Answer 25

overall concentration of haemoglobin in the blood

used to diagnose anaemia

Question 26

in a full blood count what is haematocrit used to diagnose

Answer 26

types of anaemia

Question 27

in a full blood count what is total white blood cell count used for

Answer 27

neutrophil and lymphocyte count - helps to diagnose infection

Question 28

what is a liver function test and what is it used for

Answer 28

looks al albumin concentration, liver enzymes - clotting factors

used to diagnose liver damage

Question 29

what is U and E used for

Answer 29

test kidney function and metabolic abnormalities

Question 30

what is a blood glucose test used for

Answer 30

diagnosing diabetes

Question 31

what is a lipid profile used for

Answer 31

looks at triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL and HDL - calculated the risk of cardiovascular disease