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WorksheetsCirculatory System Functions and Blood Composition
Total questions: 130
Worksheet time: 1hrs 12mins
Which of the following is not a primary function of the circulatory system?
Transport of gases and nutrients
Regulation of body temperature
Production of digestive enzymes
Defense against pathogens
The hematocrit value represents:
The percentage of plasma proteins in the blood
The percentage of blood composed of erythrocytes
The ratio of red to white blood cells
The percentage of blood composed of water
A decreased hematocrit value could indicate which of the following?
Dehydration
Polycythemia
Anemia
High altitude adaptation
What is the approximate pH of blood under normal physiological conditions?
7.0
7.15
7.35–7.45
7.5–7.8
Which component of blood contributes most to its viscosity?
Plasma proteins
Leukocytes
Erythrocytes
Sodium ions
High blood osmolarity would most likely result in:
Dehydration of tissues and increased blood pressure
Edema in tissues and low blood pressure
Rapid clotting
Reduced blood viscosity
Which plasma protein is most abundant and contributes most to osmotic balance and viscosity?
Fibrinogen
Globulin
Albumin
Prothrombin
What plasma protein is the precursor to fibrin in blood clotting?
Fibrinogen
Albumin
Gamma globulin
Hemoglobin
Which plasma proteins are primarily responsible for immune functions?
Fibrinogens
Albumins
Globulins
Prothrombins
Which of the following makes up about 90% of plasma cations?
Potassium
Sodium
Calcium
Magnesium
When blood is centrifuged, what forms the “buffy coat”?
Plasma
Platelets and white blood cells
Red blood cells
Water and proteins
Which statement best describes plasma versus serum?
Plasma and serum are identical
Serum is plasma without clotting factors
Plasma is serum without albumin
Serum contains platelets and fibrinogen
Which of the following are major functions of the circulatory system?
Transport of nutrients and hormones
Regulation of body temperature
Secretion of digestive enzymes
Defense against pathogens
Synthesis of vitamin D
Which components are classified as formed elements of blood?
Erythrocytes
Leukocytes
Platelets
Plasma
Water
Plasma proteins are primarily responsible for which of the following functions?
Osmotic balance
Blood viscosity
Gas exchange
Clot formation
Immune defense
Which of the following could raise blood osmolarity?
Dehydration
High sodium intake
Severe bleeding
Excessive water intake
Increased plasma proteins
The biconcave shape of erythrocytes primarily allows for:
Greater oxygen binding capacity due to more hemoglobin
Enhanced surface area for gas exchange and flexibility in vessels
Storage of nutrients and enzymes
Faster mitotic division during maturation
Mature erythrocytes lack which of the following structures?
Plasma membrane
Ribosomes and nucleus
Cytoplasm
Hemoglobin
The main function of red blood cells is to:
Produce antibodies
Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide
Store iron for future use
Secrete hemoglobin into plasma
What enzyme inside RBCs helps maintain acid–base balance by converting CO₂ and H₂O to carbonic acid?
Carbonic anhydrase
Catalase
Amylase
Acetylcholinesterase
Which of the following correctly lists the normal hematocrit ranges for men and women?
Men: 30–40%, Women: 25–35%
Men: 42–52%, Women: 37–48%
Men: 50–65%, Women: 40–55%
Men: 36–46%, Women: 32–42%
A hematocrit of 80% would most likely indicate:
Polycythemia
Anemia
Leukemia
Hemophilia
The glycoproteins and glycolipids on RBC surfaces are responsible for:
Oxygen exchange
Cell flexibility
Blood type determination
Membrane transport
What is the normal RBC count for adult males?
3.0–4.0 million/µL
4.6–6.2 million/µL
6.5–7.5 million/µL
2.8–3.5 million/µL
Which of the following conditions would likely stimulate erythropoiesis?
Increased oxygen levels in blood
Low oxygen availability at high altitude
Loss of kidney tissue
Decreased exercise
Which hormone directly stimulates RBC production?
Thyroxine
Erythropoietin
Insulin
Aldosterone
Reticulocytes are identified by the presence of:
Hemoglobin
A nucleus
Fragments of endoplasmic reticulum
Granules
Which of the following vitamins are required for rapid cell division during erythropoiesis?
Vitamin C and D
Vitamin B12 and folic acid
Vitamin A and E
Vitamin K and D
Which mineral is the key nutritional requirement for hemoglobin synthesis?
Zinc
Iron
Copper
Magnesium
A patient with black stool and constipation due to supplements is most likely taking:
Calcium
Iron
Vitamin D
Potassium
Where are most plasma proteins (except antibodies) produced?
Kidneys
Bone marrow
Liver
Spleen
Which of the following structural features of RBCs increase their efficiency for gas transport?
Biconcave shape
Presence of mitochondria
Loss of nucleus
Presence of hemoglobin
Thick, rigid membrane
Which factors can stimulate erythropoiesis?
Blood loss
Low atmospheric oxygen
Increased erythropoietin secretion
High blood oxygen
Severe dehydration
Which nutrients or cofactors are essential for red blood cell formation?
Vitamin C
Copper
Vitamin B12
Folic acid
Vitamin D
Which statements accurately describe erythrocyte homeostasis?
Controlled by a negative feedback loop
Initiated when O₂ levels rise
Dependent on kidney function
Stimulated by erythropoietin
Independent of bone marrow activity
Each molecule of hemoglobin can carry how many oxygen molecules?
1
2
4
8
The iron atom in the heme group binds to:
The alpha chain of globin
The nitrogen in the heme ring
One molecule of carbon dioxide
One molecule of oxygen
The term “glycosylated hemoglobin” (HbA1C) refers to:
Hemoglobin that has lost iron
Hemoglobin that binds carbon monoxide
Hemoglobin chemically linked to glucose
Hemoglobin replaced by fetal hemoglobin
A normal HbA1C value should be:
Below 4%
Below 7%
Between 8–10%
Above 7.5%
The adult produces approximately how many red blood cells each second?
25,000
250,000
2.5 million
25 million
Which of the following organs is the primary site of blood cell production in adults?
Liver
Red bone marrow
Spleen
Thymus
During fetal development, which organs are involved in hemopoiesis?
Liver and spleen
Heart and lungs
Kidneys and pancreas
Thymus and adrenal glands
Which of the following cell types is the first committed precursor to an erythrocyte?
Myeloblast
Lymphoblast
Erythrocyte colony-forming unit (CFU)
Megakaryoblast
The process of producing all formed elements of blood is called:
Erythropoiesis
Hemostasis
Hemopoiesis (Hematopoiesis)
Coagulation
Which type of hemopoiesis occurs in lymphoid organs like the thymus and lymph nodes?
Myeloid hemopoiesis
Lymphoid hemopoiesis
Erythroid hemopoiesis
Granulocytic hemopoiesis
Which vitamin and mineral act as cofactors in hemoglobin synthesis?
Vitamin D and calcium
Vitamin C and copper
Vitamin A and iron
Vitamin E and zinc
Which of the following best describes negative feedback regulation in erythropoiesis?
A drop in O₂ triggers EPO release, which increases RBC production
High O₂ suppresses erythropoietin and decreases RBCs
Both A and B
Neither A nor B
The life span of an average erythrocyte is approximately:
30 days
60 days
90 days
120 days
Which component of the hemoglobin molecule is recycled when RBCs are destroyed?
Heme pigment
Globin protein and iron
Biliverdin
Bilirubin
The breakdown sequence of heme pigment proceeds as:
Bilirubin → Biliverdin → Urobilinogen
Biliverdin → Bilirubin → Urobilinogen
Hemoglobin → Bilirubin → Biliverdin
Biliverdin → Hemoglobin → Urobilinogen
Which of the following organs or tissues are involved in blood cell production at some stage of life?
Yolk sac
Liver
Spleen
Red bone marrow
Pancreas
Which of the following can stimulate the release of erythropoietin (EPO)?
Anemia
High altitude
Blood loss
Lung damage (emphysema)
Increased O₂ availability
Which statements are true regarding hemoglobin and oxygen transport?
Each hemoglobin has 4 heme groups
Iron binds directly to oxygen
Carbon dioxide binds to the heme iron
Carbon monoxide competes with oxygen for binding sites
HbA1C measures short-term oxygen transport
What are correct characteristics of hemopoietic stem cells?
They are pluripotent
Found in red bone marrow
Differentiate into all formed elements
Can perform phagocytosis
Secrete antibodies
Primary polycythemia is most commonly caused by:
Dehydration
Emphysema
Cancer of the erythropoietic cell line in red bone marrow
Kidney failure
Which of the following could cause secondary polycythemia?
Cancer of bone marrow
High altitude
Erythropoietin deficiency
Radiation exposure
What is a major risk associated with polycythemia?
Low blood pressure
Edema
Increased blood viscosity leading to embolism or stroke
Decreased hematocrit
Which of the following could lead to anemia due to inadequate erythropoiesis?
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Iron overload
Excessive EPO secretion
Leukemia
Which condition would result from insufficient erythropoietin production due to renal disease?
Iron-deficiency anemia
Aplastic anemia
Renal anemia
Sickle-cell anemia
Aplastic anemia is characterized by:
Overproduction of RBCs
Complete cessation of erythropoiesis
Lack of hemoglobin synthesis only
Overproduction of leukocytes
Which anemia results from chronic blood loss?
Hemolytic anemia
Hemorrhagic anemia
Iron-deficiency anemia
Pernicious anemia
The genetic disorder sickle cell anemia primarily affects:
Iron absorption in the intestine
The shape and flexibility of red blood cells
Platelet function
The clotting pathway
In sickle cell disease, the abnormal hemoglobin is designated as:
HbA
HbF
HbS
HbC
What are the main effects of severe anemia on the body?
Increased blood viscosity and hypertension
Low blood osmolarity and tissue edema
Increased oxygen delivery to tissues
Elevated blood pressure and hematocrit
Tissue hypoxia resulting from anemia will most directly cause:
Increased heart rate and respiratory rate
Reduced cardiac output
Low carbon dioxide levels in the blood
Increased blood viscosity
Iron-deficiency anemia can develop from:
Inadequate dietary intake
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Chronic gastrointestinal bleeding
All of the above
A patient with pale conjunctiva, fatigue, and spoon-shaped nails most likely has:
Pernicious anemia
Iron-deficiency anemia
Polycythemia
Thalassemia
Pernicious anemia can result from:
Dietary deficiency of folate
Genetic defect in hemoglobin
Autoimmune destruction of stomach parietal cells
Low vitamin C intake
Which of the following statements about anemia is true?
All anemias result in high hematocrit
Anemia can result from hemolysis, hemorrhage, or decreased RBC production
Anemia increases blood viscosity
Anemia increases blood pressure
Which of the following are possible causes of anemia?
Blood loss
Iron deficiency
Renal failure
Erythropoietin overproduction
Bone marrow destruction
What are common effects of anemia on the body?
Tissue hypoxia
Low blood viscosity
Low osmolarity
Increased cardiac output
Elevated osmotic pressure
Which of the following conditions are hyperproliferative disorders of RBCs?
Polycythemia vera
Secondary polycythemia
Iron-deficiency anemia
Aplastic anemia
Hemolytic anemia
Which types of anemia involve nutritional deficiencies?
Pernicious anemia
Iron-deficiency anemia
Sickle cell anemia
Aplastic anemia
Folate-deficiency anemia
Which of the following is not a characteristic of leukocytes?
Possess a nucleus
Capable of diapedesis (leaving blood vessels)
Contain hemoglobin
Defend against pathogens
The normal leukocyte count in adult blood is approximately:
500–1,000 cells/µL
5,000–10,000 cells/µL
50,000–100,000 cells/µL
100,000–400,000 cells/µL
The process of leukocyte formation is called:
Erythropoiesis
Thrombopoiesis
Leukopoiesis
Hemostasis
Which of the following leukocytes is the most abundant in the bloodstream?
Eosinophil
Neutrophil
Basophil
Monocyte
Which leukocyte increases in response to parasitic infections or allergic reactions?
Lymphocyte
Eosinophil
Monocyte
Basophil
Which leukocyte secretes histamine and heparin?
Basophil
Neutrophil
Monocyte
Lymphocyte
Which type of WBC transforms into macrophages once it exits the bloodstream?
Lymphocyte
Eosinophil
Monocyte
Basophil
Which leukocyte type is responsible for producing antibodies?
Neutrophil
B lymphocyte
T lymphocyte
Monocyte
Which leukocytes are agranulocytes?
Neutrophils and eosinophils
Lymphocytes and monocytes
Basophils and eosinophils
Neutrophils and basophils
The lifespan of most circulating granulocytes is approximately:
1 hour
8 hours to 5 days
10–14 days
Several years
Which WBC type increases significantly during bacterial infections?
Neutrophil
Basophil
Lymphocyte
Monocyte
Which leukocyte type typically increases during viral infections?
Neutrophils
Lymphocytes
Eosinophils
Basophils
A person with a WBC count of 3,000/µL would be diagnosed with:
Leukocytosis
Leukopenia
Polycythemia
Thrombocytosis
Leukemia is characterized by:
Excess production of functional RBCs
Cancerous proliferation of WBC precursors
Autoimmune destruction of WBCs
Overproduction of platelets
The major difference between acute and chronic leukemia is:
Acute leukemia progresses rapidly, while chronic develops slowly
Acute affects adults only
Chronic is always fatal within weeks
Acute involves platelets only
Which of the following are considered granulocytes?
Neutrophils
Basophils
Eosinophils
Lymphocytes
Monocytes
Which functions are performed by monocytes and macrophages?
Phagocytosis of pathogens and debris
Antigen presentation to lymphocytes
Secretion of antibodies
Production of histamine
Long-term immune defense
Which of the following can cause leukopenia?
Radiation
Poisoning
Viral infections (like HIV)
Bacterial infection
Certain chemotherapy drugs
Which statements are true regarding leukemia?
It is a cancer of the hemopoietic tissues
It results in impaired clotting and anemia
WBCs produced are typically functional
It can be classified as myeloid or lymphoid
It always originates in the thymus
Platelets are best described as:
Complete cells with nuclei
Fragments of megakaryocyte cytoplasm
Immature red blood cells
A type of leukocyte
The average lifespan of a platelet is approximately:
1–3 days
5 days
10 days
30 days
Which hormone stimulates platelet production (thrombopoiesis)?
Erythropoietin
Thrombopoietin
Cytokinin
Interleukin-2
Platelets play all of the following roles except:
Secreting growth factors for vessel repair
Forming temporary plugs in damaged vessels
Releasing clot-dissolving enzymes
Carrying oxygen to tissues
The first step of hemostasis is:
Platelet plug formation
Coagulation
Fibrinolysis
Vascular spasm
Vascular spasm can be triggered by:
Serotonin released from platelets
Smooth muscle injury
Pain receptor stimulation
All of the above
During platelet plug formation, platelets adhere to:
Collagen fibers exposed in the damaged vessel
Red blood cells
Smooth muscle cells
Elastic fibers
The positive feedback loop during platelet plug formation is primarily driven by:
ADP and serotonin
Fibrinogen
Thrombin
Calcium ions
The conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin during coagulation is catalyzed by:
Prothrombin activator
Thrombin
Factor X
Calcium
Which coagulation pathway is activated by tissue damage outside the blood vessel?
Intrinsic pathway
Extrinsic pathway
Common pathway
Fibrinolytic pathway
Calcium ions are required for:
Platelet adhesion only
Both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of coagulation
Fibrinolysis
Antibody production
Which of the following describes the final common pathway in coagulation?
Factor X activation → prothrombin → thrombin → fibrin
Factor VIII activation → fibrinogen → thrombin → fibrin
Factor XII → plasminogen → thrombin
Factor IX → factor VII → thrombin
Which enzyme dissolves a blood clot after healing has occurred?
Plasmin
Fibrinogen
Thrombin
Prothrombin
Which are natural anticoagulants that prevent excessive clotting?
Heparin
Antithrombin
Vitamin K
Calcium
A thrombus refers to:
A clot that breaks free and travels
A stationary blood clot within a vessel
A hemorrhage in a tissue
A drop in platelet count
Which of the following are functions of platelets?
Secrete clotting factors
Attract white blood cells to inflammation sites
Initiate clot dissolution
Carry oxygen
Promote vessel repair
Which of the following events occur during hemostasis?
Vascular spasm
Platelet plug formation
Coagulation
Antibody synthesis
Fibrinolysis
Which of the following accelerate the coagulation process?
Presence of calcium ions
Factor X activation
Slow blood flow
Vitamin K
Antithrombin
Which mechanisms help prevent unwanted clot formation?
Platelet repulsion
Thrombin dilution
Heparin release
Antithrombin secretion
Vitamin K deficiency
The ABO blood group is determined by:
The presence or absence of antibodies in plasma
The presence or absence of antigens on RBC membranes
The type of hemoglobin produced
The number of leukocytes in blood
A person with type AB blood has which of the following?
A antigens only
B antigens only
A and B antigens, no antibodies
No antigens, both antibodies
The most common blood type in the U.S. is:
Type A
Type B
Type AB
Type O
Which of the following describes type O blood?
Has both A and B antigens
Has neither A nor B antigens
Has anti-A antibodies only
Has A antigen only
When an antibody binds to an antigen on an RBC, this reaction is called:
Hemolysis
Agglutination
Coagulation
Fibrinolysis
Which antibody would be found in the plasma of a person with type A blood?
Anti-A
Anti-B
Anti-AB
None
A person with type O blood can safely receive blood from:
Type O only
Type A or O
Type A, B, AB, or O
Type AB only
Type AB individuals are known as universal recipients because:
Their plasma has no antibodies against A or B antigens
Their RBCs have no antigens
They lack Rh factor
They can donate to all blood types
What antigen determines the Rh blood type?
Antigen A
Antigen B
D antigen
C antigen
Which situation could lead to the development of anti-D antibodies?
Rh⁺ individual exposed to Rh⁻ blood
Rh⁻ individual exposed to Rh⁺ blood
Type A person given type A blood
Type O person donating blood
Hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) occurs when:
The fetus is Rh⁻ and the mother is Rh⁺
The mother is Rh⁻ and the fetus is Rh⁺
The fetus and mother are both Rh⁺
The mother is type O and the baby is type AB
HDN can be prevented by administering:
Heparin
RhoGAM
Iron supplements
Vitamin K
In a transfusion reaction, agglutinated RBCs can cause death by:
Triggering platelet aggregation
Blocking kidney tubules and causing renal failure
Destroying bone marrow
Reducing heart rate
A person with type B⁺ blood can safely donate to:
B⁺ and AB⁺
B⁻ and AB⁻
All blood types
O⁺ only
Which blood type is the universal donor (for packed RBCs)?
AB⁺
O⁺
O⁻
AB⁻
Which statements about plasma antibodies are true?
Appear about 2–8 months after birth
Peak around age 10
Are formed in response to mismatched blood transfusions
Attack foreign antigens but not self
Are produced by RBCs
Which blood types could safely donate to a person with type AB⁺ blood?
O⁻
O⁺
A⁺
B⁺
AB⁺
Which of the following describe hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN)?
Results from maternal-fetal Rh incompatibility
Occurs usually during the first Rh⁺ pregnancy
Can cause severe fetal anemia and brain damage
Preventable with RhoGAM injection
Caused by maternal anti-D antibodies crossing the placenta
Which of the following are correct statements about blood transfusions?
Matching donor and recipient antigens prevents agglutination
Type O⁻ is the safest universal donor for packed cells
Type AB⁺ is the universal plasma donor
Mismatched transfusions can cause renal failure
Agglutination is the same as coagulation
