Lecture 1

Question 1

What are the different levels of cellular organisation?

Answer 1

Molecules, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms

Question 2

What are the two main components of blood?

Answer 2

Plasma and blood cells

Question 3

What does blood plasma contain?

Answer 3

Proteins, nutrients, metabolic byproducts, clotting factors, hormones and water

Question 4

Where are blood cells produced?

Answer 4

In the thymus and the bone marrow

Question 5

What is the buffy coat in the blood composed of?

Answer 5

It is made up of leukocytes and platelets

Question 6

Where are blood cells produced from child to adult?

Answer 6

• 0-2 months - In the yolk sac
• 2-7 months - In the liver and spleen
• 5-9 months - In the bone marrow
• Infants - In the bone marrow (In practically all bones)
• Adults - In the vertebrae, ribs, sternum, skull, sacrum, pelvis and the proximal ends of the femur

Question 7

What is the stain used during a blood smear examination?

Answer 7

The stain is a modified Giemsa stain that is called ‘diff quick’

Question 8

What are the components of a Romanowsky stain and what do they do?

Answer 8

• Azure [cationic] binds to anionic sites in nucleic acids

- Eosin Y [anionic] binds to cationic sites on proteins in the cytoplasm

Question 9

What are the main functions of bone tissue?

Answer 9

• Support
• Protection
• Assisting movement
• Mineral homeostasis (calcium and phosphorus)
• Haematopoiesis

Question 10

What are the bone cells that compose the bone?

Answer 10

• Osteoprogenitor cells - bone growth
• Osteoblasts - produce osteoids that are seen on the bone surface
• Osteocytes - provides nourishment for bone tissue
• Osteoclasts - remodelling cells

Question 11

What are the components of the bone matrix?

Answer 11

• Collagen (70%)
• Proteoglycans and glycoproteins
• Osteonectin (anchors bone material to collagen)
• Osteocalcin (calcium-binding proteins)

Question 12

What are the main facts of areolar tissue?

Answer 12

• ‘Mesh-like’ connective tissue consisting of collagen, elastic tissue and reticular tissue
• Cells are embedded within the mesh like matrix
• It binds skin to muscle and is found between organs
• Loose structure allows for high degree of flexibility and movement

Question 13

What is adipose tissue?

Answer 13

Loose connective tissue consisting of adipocytes

Question 14

What are the main functions of adipose tissue?

Answer 14

• Main store of fat in the body
• Energy store
• Protects organs
• Provides insulation

Question 15

What are the 2 types of fat and where are they found most commonly?

Answer 15

White fat - Common in the body and associated with obesity (in excess)
Brown fat - Common in small mammals and newborns, higher proportion associated with lower body weight

Question 16

What are the 2 types of dense connective tissue and where are they commonly found?

Answer 16

Dense regular - Forms ‘rope-like’ structures and found mainly in ligaments and tendons

Dense irregular - Found in the lower layers of the skin (dermis)

Question 17

What are the 2 major components of the nervous system?

Answer 17

The central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (spinal and cranial nerves)

Question 18

The brain contains white and grey matter, where are they and what do they contain?

Answer 18

Grey matter - Outside of the brain and contains the cell bodies
White matter - Inside of the brain and contains axons (covered in myelin)

Question 19

The spinal cord contains white and grey matter, where are they both located?

Answer 19

White matter on the outside of the spinal cord and Grey matter on the inside of the spinal cord

Question 20

What are the 2 main neurones and what do they do?

Answer 20

Sensory neurones - receptor cells that receive external stimuli

Motor neurones - effector cells that respond to the sensory information

Question 21

Name the Glial cells that are present in the brain?

Answer 21

• Astrocytes
• Oligodendrocytes (Schwann cells)
• Microglia