Introduction To Blood

Question 1

What is the average circulating blood in males?

Answer 1

5 litres
- 1L in lungs
- 3L in systematic venous circulation
- 12 in heart and arterial circulation

Question 2

Functions of blood

Answer 2

1. Carriage of physiologically active compounds eg. Hormones nutrients etc.
2. Clotting,
3. Defence
4. Carriage of gas (rbc),
5. Thermoregulation
6. Maintenance of ECF ph-74

Question 3

Composition of plasma

Answer 3

4°C body weight +95% water
1. Albumin 60% (carries lipids + steroid hormones)
2. Globulin 38% ( alpha, beta +gamma)
3. Fibrinogen and other clotting factors 2%

(plasma proteins are not taken up by cells)

Question 4

What is oncotic pressure and what factors are responsible for generation?

Answer 4

Favours movement in to the capillary
- generated by album in

Question 5

What is the lifespan of RBCs + platelets?

Answer 5

• Erythrocytes ~120 day lifespan
• platelets ~ 10 days

Question 6

What’s the function of red blood cells?

Answer 6

Packed with haemoglobin ( protein responsible for gas transport)

Question 7

Function of erythropoietin, where its synthesised + factors that increase secretion

Answer 7

• Speeds Erythropoiesis (maturation process of red blood cells in bone marrow)
• 85% kidney + 15% liver
• oxygen to kidney is reduced section increases

Question 8

What are the 5 types of white blood cells?

Answer 8

1. Neutrophil,
2. Monocyte
3. Basophil,
4. Eosinophil
   S. Lymphocyte

Question 9

Difference between monocyte + macrophage?

Question 10

Factors controlling WBC formation

Answer 10

• Controlled by cytokines
• cytokines released from mature blood cells, stimulate both mitosis and maturation of leukocyte
• neutrophils (best type to attack bac.)
• lymphocytes for virus

Question 11

Different blood cell types

Question 12

Unique function of platelets

Answer 12

• Adhere to vessel wallsexposed to mediate blood clotting
• do not adhere to healthy intact endothelium

Question 13

Role of thrombopoietin in platelet formation

Answer 13

• Governs formation of platelet

Question 14

What is a haematocrit?

Answer 14

• Diagnostic test to calculate the value of red blood cells in the whole blood

Question 15

Normal value for haematocrit + change incertain circumstances

Answer 15

• Normal range 40-50%

Question 16

What is blood viscosity?

Answer 16

• How thick/sticky blood is compared to water

Question 17

How does blood viscosity change in certain circumstances?

Answer 17

• Haematocrit - 50% increase
• temperature change can alter viscosity 2%
• decreased flow rate increases viscosity
• hypothermia (blood is too thick to get around the body)