Lesson 4: Blood Composition

Question 1

(in general) what are the three main roles of blood

Answer 1

transport, protection, regulation

Question 2

what does blood do in terms of transport

Answer 2

acts as a carrier for nutrients, wastes, and signal molecules

Question 3

what does blood do in terms of protection

Answer 3

carries immune cells that protect the body and respond to infection

Question 4

what does blood do in terms of regulation

Answer 4

it maintains body temperature by dispersing heat

Question 5

what are the main components of blood

Answer 5

plasma and formed elements

Question 6

what counts for 55 percent of our blood’s composition

Answer 6

plasma

Question 7

what is plasma composed of

Answer 7

organic and inorganic molecules dissolved in water

Question 8

what counts for 45 percent of our blood’s composition

Answer 8

formed elements

Question 9

what are formed elements composed of

Answer 9

erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets

Question 10

what are erythrocytes

Answer 10

red blood cells

Question 11

what are leukocytes

Answer 11

white blood cells

Question 12

what are erythrocytes specialized to do

Answer 12

carry oxygen to/carbon dioxide away from the tissues

Question 13

what do mature erythrocytes lack

Answer 13

a nucleus

Question 14

for mature RBCs, what is the benefit of possessing a disc-like shape with a concave center

Answer 14

increases surface area and flexibility of the cells to allow more efficient movement through capillary beds

Question 15

what is the benefit of having hemoglobin in erythrocytes

Answer 15

it makes them capable of carrying oxygen

Question 16

what is hemoglobin composed of

Answer 16

4 polypeptide chains, with each of them associated with a complex iron-containing group called heme. it has 4 iron atoms also.

Question 17

what are the 4 iron atoms in the hemoglobin capable of doing

Answer 17

bonding to 4 oxygen gas and could bond to 4 carbon dioxide molecules

Question 18

how are leukocytes different from erythrocytes

Answer 18

they have a nucleus, are larger, and they have a lack of hemoglobin

Question 19

what is the task that leukocytes are assigned to

Answer 19

immune response

Question 20

how can leukocytes be grouped based on

Answer 20

by whether or not they have granules in their system

Question 21

what are granules

Answer 21

small vesicles that contain specific enzymes and proteins

Question 22

what are the granular leukocytes

Answer 22

neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils

Question 23

what are the agranular leukocytes

Answer 23

monocytes and lymphocytes

Question 24

what is the function of neutrophils

Answer 24

to phagocytize(devour) and digest bacteria

Question 25

what is the function of basophils

Answer 25

to release histamine to cause inflammation

Question 26

what is the function of eosinophils

Answer 26

to break down blood clots and release chemicals to fight parasites

Question 27

what is the function of monocytes

Answer 27

to phagocytize(devour) pathogens, cellular debris, old erythrocytes and dead cells. they release chemicals that summon other leukocytes in that area as well

Question 28

what is the function of lymphocytes

Answer 28

to produce antibodies and induce immune response to antigens and pathogens

Question 29

what are platelets

Answer 29

a specific portion of the formed elements

Question 30

what is the function of platelets

Answer 30

to perform the function of blood clotting

Question 31

where are platelets formed from

Answer 31

megakaryocytes

Question 32

what are megakaryocytes

Answer 32

giant bone marrow cells