Transport and Circulation Book Notes

What is the approximate volume of blood in an adult human?

About 5 liters

What is plasma primarily composed of?

Water, dissolved salts, proteins, nutrients, wastes, and hormones

What are the three types of cellular elements suspended in blood plasma?

Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets

What is the primary function of red blood cells?

To carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues

How many molecules of hemoglobin does each red blood cell contain?

Approximately 250 million

What shape do human red blood cells have and why is it beneficial?

Disks with indentations to increase surface area for gas exchange

Why do mammalian red blood cells lack nuclei and organelles?

To leave more room for carrying hemoglobin

What hormone do kidneys produce in response to anemia?

Erythropoietin (EPO)

What is blood doping?

The practice of increasing the number of red blood cells to enhance athletic performance

What are the two types of blood doping?

Injecting red blood cells or using synthetic EPO

Why is blood doping banned in competitive sports?

It provides an unfair advantage and poses health risks

What is the role of white blood cells in the body?

They are a major component of the immune system and increase during infections

What components help form blood clots?

Platelets and fibrinogen

What initiates the clotting process when a blood vessel is damaged?

Platelets form sticky clusters to seal the damaged vessel

What is the function of fibrin in blood clotting?

To form a dense network that creates a patch over the wound

What can happen if blood clotting is excessive?

It can lead to embolisms, heart attacks, or strokes

What is the purpose of blood transfusions?

To treat excessive bleeding and certain diseases

What happens to white blood cells during blood donation?

They are discarded due to immune reactions they cause in recipients

What is apheresis?

A procedure to collect specific blood components like platelets or plasma

Why must blood donors and recipients be matched?

To prevent immune reactions; for example, type A blood cannot receive type B blood

What is the role of platelets in the blood?

To aid in the clotting process by forming clusters at injury sites

What can result from an inability to form blood clots?

It can be life-threatening due to excessive bleeding

What is the significance of the surface-area-to-volume ratio in red blood cells?

It enhances efficiency for gas exchange

How does synthetic EPO help patients with anemia?

It boosts the production of oxygen-carrying red blood cells

What are the health risks associated with blood doping?

Sluggish blood flow, oxygen deprivation to tissues, and potential death

How do athletic commissions test for EPO abuse?

By measuring the percentage of red blood cells in blood volume over time