BSC2086 Exam 1

What is hematocrit?

The percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells (RBCs).

What blood cells does hematocrit consist of?

Red Blood Cells (RBCs)

How does high altitude affect hematocrit?

High altitude increases erythropoietin (EPO) production, leading to more RBCs and higher hematocrit levels.

What is blood doping?

The practice of increasing RBC count through transfusions or synthetic EPO to improve athletic performance

Where in the skeleton is more RBCs made?

Red bone marrow in flat bones (e.g., sternum, pelvis) and the ends of long bones.

What protein is primarily found in RBCs?

Hemoglobin (Hb).

What is the cause of iron-deficiency anemia?

Lack of iron, leading to insufficient hemoglobin production

What causes sickle cell anemia?

A genetic mutation causing RBCs to become sickle-shaped, impairing oxygen transport.

What is the universal blood donor type?

Type O negative (O-).

What is the universal blood receiver type?

Type AB positive (AB+).

What is an antigen in blood typing?

A protein on RBC surfaces that determines blood type (A, B, Rh antigens).

What type of antibody does Type A blood produce?

Anti-B antibodies.

What does the Rh factor refer to?

A specific protein that can be found on the surface of red blood cells.

Name the five types of WBCs.

Neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils

What is the function of neutrophils?

They perform phagocytosis and are the first responders to infection.

What is the function of lymphocytes?

B-cells produce antibodies; T-cells kill infected cells.

What is the function of monocytes?

They become macrophages that phagocytose pathogens and dead cells.

What is the function of eosinophils?

They are involved in allergic reactions and parasitic infections.

What is the function of basophils?

They release histamine during inflammatory responses, especially in allergies.

How do platelets arise?

Platelets are formed from megakaryocytes in the bone marrow.

What is the role of vitamin K in clotting?

Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of clotting factors.

What is fibrinolysis?

The breakdown of a blood clot by plasmin.

What does the suffix -cyte mean?

It refers to a mature cell.

What does -ogen or -blast mean?

It refers to an immature or precursor form of a cell.

What do you see when you centrifuge blood?

Plasma (top), buffy coat (middle), RBCs (bottom).

What causes the ratios in blood centrifugation to be off?

Anemia (low RBCs), polycythemia (high RBCs), dehydration (high plasma).

What are the two circuits of blood circulation?

Pulmonary circuit (heart to lungs) and systemic circuit (heart to body).

What are the layers of the heart?

Epicardium, myocardium, endocardium.

What is the pericardium?

A double-layered membrane surrounding the heart, consisting of the fibrous and serous layers.

What causes the "lub" (S1) sound?

Closing of the mitral and tricuspid valves.

What causes the "dub" (S2) sound?

Closing of the aortic and pulmonary valves.

Where does the tricuspid valve lead?

From the right atrium to the right ventricle.

Where does the mitral valve lead?

From the left atrium to the left ventricle.

What is the function of the right atrium?

Receives deoxygenated blood from the body.

What is the function of the left ventricle?

Pumps oxygenated blood to the body.

Where does the aortic valve lead?

From the left ventricle to the aorta.

Where does the pulmonary valve lead?

From the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery.

Why are gap junctions important in the heart?

Why are gap junctions important in the heart?

What factors impact blood flow resistance?

Viscosity, vessel diameter, and vessel length.

How does viscosity affect blood flow?

Increased viscosity increases resistance and slows blood flow.

How does vessel diameter affect blood flow?

Larger diameter decreases resistance and increases blood flow.

What do baroreceptors do?

They monitor blood pressure and help regulate it.

What do chemoreceptors do?

They detect changes in blood oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels.