Week 4 - The Cardiovascular System: Blood

Question 1

Name the functions of blood

Answer 1

Functions as a dynamic tissue: Transport, Immunity, Haemostasis, Homeostasis

Question 2

Total blood volume

Answer 2

4-6L depending on body size

Question 3

Components of blood and its percentages

Answer 3

Plasma ~55%, Thrombocytes (Platelets) (1%), Leukocytes (WBCs) 1%, Erythrocytes (RBCs) ~44%

Question 4

What is Plasma composed of

Answer 4

Water with some dissolved solutes including proteins, lipids (fats), carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins, mineral hormones, wastes, gases and electrolytes

Question 5

What are the 3 main proteins in plasma

Answer 5

Albumins (58%), Globulins (38%), Fibrinogen (4%)

Question 6

What is the function of thrombocytes (platelets)

Answer 6

Assist in blood clotting (haemostasis)

Question 7

What is the function of Leukocytes (WBCs)

Answer 7

Primary defence against infection

Ratio of WBC:RBC = 1:700

Question 8

What is the function of Erythrocytes (RBCs)

Answer 8

Transport of O2 and CO2

Question 9

What protein substance does Haemoglobin contain and how many (2 types)

Answer 9

4 x Globins

4 x Heme groups

Question 10

How much O2 can 1 Haemoglobin carry

Answer 10

Four

Question 11

What gives the red blood cell its red colour?

Answer 11

Oxyhemoglobin (when it is carrying oxygen)

Question 12

What % of CO2 is transported through Haemoglobin

Answer 12

23%

Question 13

Where is the other % of CO2 transported?

Answer 13

7% in plasma and 70% in the form of bicarb ions

Question 14

How many RBC’s in the circulation?

Answer 14

25 trillion

Question 15

What is the lifespan of a RBC

Answer 15

120 days

Question 16

Production of new RBCs

Answer 16

Erythopoiesis

Question 17

Explain the process of Erythroproiesis

Answer 17

When the blood oxygen level decreases, the kidney secretes erythropoietin (EPO), this then communicates to red bone marrow to produce more RBCs and therefore increases the blood oxygen level