Classifications of blood

• What is one of the primary functions of blood?

  Transports oxygen to body tissues
• What are two substances transported away from tissues by blood?

  Waste matter and carbon dioxide
• What are the normal cellular elements found in blood?

  • Thrombocytes (platelets)
  • Red blood cells (erythrocytes)
  • White blood cells (leukocytes)

  
• What is the primary function of erythrocytes?

  To transport oxygen in blood to tissues
• How many oxygen molecules can each red blood cell transport?

  More than 1 billion oxygen molecules
• What is haemoglobin's role in erythrocytes?

  It is the oxygen-carrying molecule
• How does the shape of erythrocytes enhance their function?

  The biconcave disc shape increases surface area and flexibility
• What is the diameter of a healthy erythrocyte?

  Approximately 7.5 μm
• What are the components of haemoglobin?

  Globin protein and haem groups

  
• What is the most common adult form of haemoglobin?

  Haemoglobin A (α2β2)
• What happens when oxygen binds to Fe2+ in haemoglobin?

  It forms oxyhaemoglobin
• How does haemoglobin appear when oxygenated versus deoxygenated?

  Bright red when oxygenated, dark red when deoxygenated
• What happens to haemoglobin components when red blood cells are removed from circulation?

  They are recycled
• What is the primary function of the immune system?

  To recognize and neutralize foreign materials in the body
• What are the main components of the immune system?

  Leukocytes and plasma proteins
• What is the role of leukocytes in the immune system?

  They act as mobile units to defend against pathogens
• How many types of circulating leukocytes are there?

  Five types

  
• What distinguishes granulocytes from agranulocytes?

  Granulocytes have granules in their cytoplasm
• What percentage of white blood cells are polymorphonuclear granulocytes?

  65%
• What is the primary function of neutrophils?

  To ingest and destroy foreign bodies
• What does an elevated neutrophil count indicate?

  It is indicative of a bacterial infection
• What do eosinophils combat?

  Viral and parasitic infections
• What role do eosinophils play in allergic responses?

  They are involved in the pathogenesis of allergies and asthma
• What do basophils synthesize and store?

  Histamine and heparin
• What is the function of histamine released by basophils?

  It improves blood flow during allergic reactions
• What do monocytes become when they migrate into tissues?

  Tissue macrophages
• What is the primary function of lymphocytes?

  To provide immune defense against specific targets
• What are the two main types of lymphocytes?

  B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes
• What do B lymphocytes produce?

  Antibodies
• How do T lymphocytes destroy target cells?

  By releasing chemicals that punch holes in victim cells
• What are platelets also known as?

  Thrombocytes
• What is the role of platelets in the blood?

  They play an important role in haemostasis

  
• What happens during the constriction of a blood vessel?

  It reduces blood flow through the damaged vessel
• What are the steps involved in haemostasis?

  1. Vasoconstriction of the blood vessel
  2. Formation of a platelet plug
  3. Blood coagulation/clotting

  
• What is the purpose of the platelet plug?

  To physically block small holes in blood vessels
• What is the clotting cascade?

  A series of reactions involving clotting factors that lead to clot formation

  
• How long does it typically take for clots to fully form?

  1. 6 minutes
• What triggers the clotting cascade?

  Intrinsic and extrinsic pathways

  
• What is the role of Factor X in the clotting cascade?

  It converts prothrombin to thrombin

  
• What does fibrin do in the clotting process?

  It creates a protein fibre meshwork that traps blood cells