Question 1

What makes blood five times more viscous than water?

Accepted Answer

Blood's high viscosity results from its composition of cells, dissolved proteins, and electrolytes suspended in a liquid extracellular matrix. These components increase the fluid's density and resistance to flow compared to pure water, making blood approximately five times more viscous than water.

Question 2

How does blood regulate pH in the body?

Accepted Answer

Proteins and solutes dissolved in blood act as buffering agents to maintain the pH of interstitial fluids around the body. Blood maintains an alkaline pH between 7.35 and 7.45, which is critical for proper cellular function and metabolic processes throughout the body's tissues.

Question 3

What are the main transport functions of blood?

Accepted Answer

Blood carries oxygen and carbon dioxide between tissues and the lungs, transports nutrients from the digestive tract, and delivers hormones and other secretions from endocrine glands to target tissues. These transport functions are essential for meeting cellular energy demands and maintaining homeostasis.

Question 4

How does blood help prevent excessive bleeding after an injury?

Accepted Answer

When injury occurs, blood proteins induce clotting to form a plug that prevents excessive blood loss. This clotting response involves the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of hemostasis, which work together to seal wounds and protect the body from hemorrhage and shock.

Question 5

Why does oxygenated blood appear bright red while oxygen-depleted blood is darker?

Accepted Answer

Blood color depends on oxygen saturation levels in hemoglobin molecules. When saturated with oxygen, blood appears bright red due to the oxygen-bound hemoglobin in red blood cells. Oxygen-depleted blood appears darker because hemoglobin releases oxygen and changes its molecular configuration.

Question 6

How does blood protect the body against disease?

Accepted Answer

Specialized blood cells clear foreign particles and pathogens from circulation throughout the body. These cells also secrete proteins such as antibodies that provide immune defense against disease-causing organisms, forming a critical component of the body's innate and adaptive immune responses.

Question 7

What role does blood play in temperature regulation?

Accepted Answer

Blood absorbs and redistributes heat generated by active skeletal muscles throughout the body. This heat distribution function helps maintain stable core body temperature around 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, which is essential for optimal enzyme activity and metabolic function in all tissues.

Características y funciones de la sangre

Browse More Videos