Section 1: Functions and Properties of Blood (minus characteristics)

Question 1

Three functions of blood?

Answer 1

1) Protection
2) Movement
3) Regulation

Question 2

What is haematocrit?

Answer 2

Percentage of total volume of blood occupied by erythrocytes.

Question 3

Why is haematocrit higher in males, than females?

Answer 3

1) Testerone = erythropoietin = more erythrocytes.

2) Menstruation

Question 4

What is anaemia?

Answer 4

Significant decrease of haematocrit

Question 5

What is a significant increase in haematocrit?

Answer 5

Polycythemia

Question 6

Why is polycythemia dangerous?

Answer 6

Increased viscosity, increased resistance to flow, harder for heart to pump round body.
Increased viscosity can lead to increased blood pressure.

Question 7

What are the 5 causes of polycythemia?

Answer 7

1) Abnormal production of erythrocytes
2) Tissue hypoxia
3) Dehydration
4) Blood doping
5) Use of erythropoietin by athletes

Question 8

What are the two main components of blood, and what are their percentages?

Answer 8

1) 55% blood plasma

2) 45% Formed elements

Question 9

If blood was centrifuged, what are the three layers you would see from top to bottom?

Answer 9

1) Blood plasma
2) Buffy coat: leucocytes and platelets
3) Erythrocytes

Question 10

What are the three cells/cell fragments that make up the formed elements part of the blood, and what are their functions?

Answer 10

1) Erythrocytes - carry oxygen and carbon dioxide.
2) Leucocytes - protect from pathogens/foreign substances.
3) Platelets - release chemicals that promote clotting.

Question 11

What are the different types of leucocytes found in the blood?

Answer 11

1) Basophils
2) Neutrophils
3) Eosinophils
4) Monocytes
5) Lymphocytes: B cells, T cells, natural killer cells.

Question 12

What are three components that make up the blood plasma, and what are their percentages?

Answer 12

1) 91.5% water
2) 7% proteins
3) 1.5% other solutes.

Question 13

What organ synthesises plasma proteins?

Answer 13

The liver

Question 14

What are plasma proteins?

Answer 14

Proteins that are only found in the blood.

Question 15

What are the three main plasma proteins, and what are their percentages?

Answer 15

1) Albumin - 54%
2) Globulin - 38%
3) Fibrinogen - 7%
4) Others - 1%

Question 16

What are the functions of albumins?

Answer 16

1) Help maintain osmotic pressure

2) An important factor in the exchange of fluids across a blood capilliary wall.

Question 17

What are the functions of globulins?

Answer 17

1) Defend against pathogens

2) Alpha and beta globulins transport iron, lipids, and fat -soluble vitamins.

Question 18

What is the function of fibinogen?

Answer 18

Plays an essential role in blood clotting.

Question 19

What are the main solutes present in the blood that aren’t proteins?

Answer 19

1) Electrolytes
2) Nutrients
3) Regulatory substances (hormones, enzymes, vitamins)
4) Waste products
5) Gases

Question 20

What are the functions of electrolytes?

Answer 20

1) Maintain osmotic pressure

2) Essential roles in cell functions

Question 21

what are the three main gases found in the blood, and what are their functions?

Answer 21

1) Oxygen: important in many cellular functions.
2) Carbon dioxide: regulating blood pH.
3) Nitrogen: no known function.