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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Anatomy and Physiology Blood Quiz: Check Your Knowledge

Quick, free blood physiology quiz with instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Jovana CvijanovicUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for Blood Anatomy and Physiology quiz on a sky blue background

This quiz helps you review blood anatomy and physiology, including plasma, red and white cells, platelets, and clotting. Answer quick questions, get instant results, and see where to focus next. Keep learning with our blood vessels quiz, explore the body with an anatomy quiz, or broaden your knowledge in an organ systems quiz.

What is the primary function of red blood cells?
Clotting blood
Regulating body temperature
Transporting oxygen to body tissues
Fighting infections
Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which binds and transports oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body. They lack a nucleus to maximize space for hemoglobin and are shaped to optimize gas exchange. This delivery of oxygen is essential for cellular respiration and energy production.
What is the liquid component of blood called?
Hemoglobin
Platelets
Plasma
Serum
Plasma is the fluid portion of blood, making up about 55% of its volume. It consists mostly of water along with proteins, electrolytes, nutrients, and waste products. Plasma acts as a transport medium for cells and dissolved substances.
Which blood cells are primarily responsible for immune defense?
Red blood cells
Plasma cells
White blood cells
Platelets
White blood cells, or leukocytes, patrol the bloodstream and tissues to identify and eliminate pathogens. They include several subtypes such as neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Each subtype has specialized functions in innate or adaptive immunity.
What is the average lifespan of a human red blood cell?
120 days
365 days
30 days
10 days
Red blood cells typically survive around 120 days in circulation before being recycled by the spleen and liver. Their biconcave shape and flexible membrane help them travel through capillaries efficiently. The absence of organelles limits their lifespan.
Which component makes up the majority of plasma proteins?
Lipids
Albumin
Fibrinogen
Globulins
Albumin constitutes about 60% of plasma proteins and helps maintain oncotic pressure, preventing fluid from leaking into tissues. It also transports hormones, fatty acids, and drugs. Low albumin levels can lead to edema.
Platelets are fragments derived from which precursor cell?
Erythroblasts
Neutrophils
Lymphocytes
Megakaryocytes
Platelets form through cytoplasmic fragmentation of large bone marrow cells called megakaryocytes. These cell fragments enter the bloodstream and play a critical role in clot formation. A healthy platelet count is essential for normal hemostasis.
What percentage of whole blood is typically composed of red blood cells (hematocrit) in healthy adults?
About 75%
About 10%
About 45%
About 95%
Hematocrit represents the volume percentage of red blood cells in blood, normally around 40 - 50% in men and 35 - 45% in women. It is measured using centrifugation or automated analyzers. Abnormal values indicate anemia or polycythemia.
Which type of white blood cell is the first responder during acute bacterial infection?
Neutrophils
Lymphocytes
Eosinophils
Basophils
Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocyte and are rapidly recruited to sites of bacterial infection. They perform phagocytosis and release enzymes to kill pathogens. A high neutrophil count often indicates an acute bacterial process.
What does hematocrit measure?
Concentration of plasma proteins
Number of white blood cells per microliter
Percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells
Percentage of hemoglobin in red cells
Hematocrit is the ratio of red blood cell volume to total blood volume, expressed as a percentage. It is used to evaluate anemia and polycythemia. Measurements are made by centrifuging blood or using automated counters.
Albumin in plasma primarily functions to:
Transport oxygen
Initiate blood clotting
Maintain oncotic pressure
Stimulate red blood cell formation
Albumin exerts oncotic pressure, which pulls water into the circulatory system and maintains blood volume. It also binds to various molecules like hormones and drugs for transport. Low albumin can lead to edema.
Erythropoietin is primarily produced by which organ?
Spleen
Bone marrow
Liver
Kidneys
Oxygen-sensing cells in the kidneys produce erythropoietin in response to hypoxia. Erythropoietin then stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow. Liver production is minimal in adults.
Which blood type is considered the universal donor for red blood cells?
AB positive
A positive
O negative
B negative
O negative red blood cells lack A, B, and Rh antigens, minimizing risk of immune reactions in recipients of any blood type. This makes it the universal donor for transfusions. AB plasma is the universal plasma donor, in contrast.
What antigen must be present on red blood cells for an Rh-positive designation?
Kell antigen
B antigen
A antigen
D antigen
The Rh blood group system is defined by the presence or absence of the D antigen on red cell surfaces. Individuals with this antigen are Rh-positive; those without are Rh-negative. This is important in transfusion and pregnancy.
Monocytes differentiate into which cells in tissues?
Macrophages
Erythrocytes
Neutrophils
Platelets
Monocytes migrate from the bloodstream into tissues where they mature into macrophages. Macrophages are key phagocytes in innate immunity and also present antigens to lymphocytes. This differentiation is essential for tissue defense and repair.
Which pathway of the coagulation cascade is initiated by tissue factor?
Extrinsic pathway
Fibrinolytic pathway
Common pathway
Intrinsic pathway
The extrinsic pathway begins when tissue factor, exposed by vascular injury, binds to factor VII. This complex activates factor X, merging into the common pathway. It provides a rapid response to vessel damage.
Calcium ions in blood clotting act as what in the cascade?
Cofactor
Inhibitor
Enzyme
Substrate
Calcium (factor IV) serves as an essential cofactor in multiple steps of both intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways. It helps bridge activated clotting factors to phospholipid surfaces. Without calcium, clot formation is severely impaired.
What effect does an increase in 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG) have on hemoglobin?
Increases oxygen affinity
Converts hemoglobin to methemoglobin
Decreases oxygen affinity
Promotes hemoglobin polymerization
2,3-BPG binds to deoxygenated hemoglobin, stabilizing the T state and reducing oxygen affinity. This facilitates oxygen release in peripheral tissues. In hypoxia, red cells produce more 2,3-BPG to enhance tissue oxygen delivery.
Which statement best describes the Bohr effect?
H?-ATPase transports protons into red cells
O? binding increases CO? release
Increased pH enhances CO? binding
Increased CO? and H? lower hemoglobin's oxygen affinity
The Bohr effect refers to the reduction in hemoglobin's oxygen affinity under conditions of high CO? concentration and acidity. This shift aids in unloading oxygen in metabolically active tissues. The effect is reversible in the lungs where CO? is expelled.
Unconjugated bilirubin is formed from the breakdown of what?
Heme from hemoglobin
Myoglobin
Albumin
Plasma membrane lipids
When red blood cells are degraded, the heme moiety is converted to biliverdin and then to unconjugated bilirubin. This form is lipid-soluble and transported bound to albumin. The liver then conjugates it for excretion in bile.
Which granule-containing white blood cell releases histamine during allergic reactions?
Lymphocytes
Basophils
Monocytes
Neutrophils
Basophils contain granules rich in histamine and heparin, released during allergic and inflammatory responses. They contribute to vasodilation and increased vascular permeability. Mast cells share a similar granule profile in tissues.
Colony-stimulating factors primarily regulate which process?
Hemolysis
Erythropoiesis
Thrombopoiesis
Leukopoiesis
Colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) are cytokines that promote proliferation and differentiation of white blood cell precursors. Examples include G-CSF for neutrophils and M-CSF for monocytes. They are used clinically to boost leukocyte counts after chemotherapy.
A point mutation in the beta chain of hemoglobin characterizes which disease?
Sickle cell anemia
Thalassemia
Hemophilia
Polycythemia vera
Sickle cell anemia results from a single nucleotide substitution in the beta-globin gene, producing valine instead of glutamic acid at position 6. This causes hemoglobin polymerization under low oxygen, distorting red cells. Clinical features include pain crises and hemolysis.
Carbonic anhydrase in red blood cells catalyzes the conversion of CO? to what?
Carboxyhemoglobin
Carbon monoxide
Bicarbonate
Carbaminohemoglobin
Carbonic anhydrase rapidly converts CO? and water into carbonic acid, which dissociates into bicarbonate and protons. This reaction facilitates CO? transport from tissues to the lungs. Bicarbonate is carried in plasma and reverts in pulmonary capillaries.
The T (tense) state of hemoglobin has ______ compared to the R (relaxed) state.
No conformational difference
Lower oxygen affinity
More CO? binding
Higher oxygen affinity
In the Tense state, hemoglobin has decreased affinity for oxygen, facilitating release in peripheral tissues. Binding of O? shifts hemoglobin to the Relaxed state, increasing affinity for additional oxygen. This structural shift underlies cooperative binding.
Platelet Factor 3 (PF3) provides a phospholipid surface for which phase of coagulation?
Activation of prothrombin to thrombin
Vitamin K activation
Fibrinolysis
Initial platelet adhesion
PF3 refers to the phospholipid surface on activated platelets that assembles clotting complexes, particularly the prothrombinase complex which converts prothrombin to thrombin. This step is part of the common pathway and is critical for fibrin formation. Defects in PF3 availability impair coagulation.
Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) in renal cells increases erythropoietin production by binding to which DNA element?
Enhancer silencers
Promoter CpG islands
TATA box
Hypoxia-response elements (HREs)
Under low oxygen, HIF-? stabilizes and dimerizes with HIF-?, then binds to hypoxia-response elements in the erythropoietin gene promoter. This upregulates EPO transcription. Regulatory feedback ensures RBC production matches oxygen needs.
Under hypoxic conditions, 2,3-BPG synthesis increases in RBCs due to inhibition of which enzyme?
Lactate dehydrogenase
Hexokinase
Pyruvate kinase
Phosphofructokinase
Hypoxia slows pyruvate kinase activity, causing accumulation of glycolytic intermediates diverted into the Rapoport-Luebering shunt to produce 2,3-BPG. Elevated 2,3-BPG lowers hemoglobin's oxygen affinity to enhance tissue oxygen delivery. This is an adaptive response to low oxygen.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Major Blood Components -

    Recognize and name the primary elements of blood anatomy and physiology, including erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, and plasma.

  2. Explain Cellular Functions -

    Understand the roles of different blood cells in oxygen transport, immune response, and hemostasis to reinforce core hematology concepts.

  3. Analyze Plasma Protein Roles -

    Assess the importance of key plasma proteins - such as albumin, globulins, and fibrinogen - in maintaining blood volume, immunity, and coagulation.

  4. Differentiate Blood Cell Types -

    Distinguish between various leukocyte subtypes and compare their morphology and functions within the context of blood anatomy and physiology.

  5. Describe Clotting Cascade Mechanisms -

    Trace the intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways, pinpointing critical factors and steps in the clot formation process.

  6. Apply Knowledge to Quiz Scenarios -

    Utilize your understanding of blood anatomy and physiology to answer quiz questions accurately and interpret practical clinical cases.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Cellular Composition of Blood -

    Blood contains erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes suspended in plasma. Use the mnemonic "Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas" to recall neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Understanding each cell's relative abundance and function is key for the blood anatomy and physiology quiz.

  2. Hemoglobin Structure and Oxygen Transport -

    Hemoglobin's four heme groups reversibly bind O₂, allowing efficient gas exchange as described by the oxygen - hemoglobin dissociation curve (ODC). Remember the P50 value (partial pressure at 50% saturation) shifts right with increased CO₂, H❺, temperature, or 2,3-BPG. This concept frequently appears in blood anatomy and physiology tests.

  3. Plasma Proteins and Oncotic Pressure -

    Plasma is ~90% water with major proteins: albumin (maintains oncotic pressure), globulins (immune functions), and fibrinogen (clotting). A useful formula: Oncotic pressure ∝ albumin concentration (g/dL). Reviewing these helps on questions about fluid balance in blood anatomy and physiology.

  4. Hemostasis and Clotting Cascade -

    The cascade splits into intrinsic (contact activation) and extrinsic (tissue factor) pathways converging on factor X to form thrombin and fibrin clots. Use "Iᵢ'm TEA" mnemonic: Intrinsic = XII, XI, IX, VIII; Extrinsic = Tissue factor + VII. This system is commonly tested in anatomy and physiology blood quizzes.

  5. ABO and Rh Blood Typing -

    Blood types are determined by A and B antigens with anti-A or anti-B antibodies; Rh factor adds D antigen (+/ - ). Remember: Type O-negative is the universal donor, AB-positive the universal recipient. Mastering compatibility tables is essential for any blood anatomy and physiology test.

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