Chapter 8 Respiration and Circulation
1. Multiple choice questions
Question 1.
The muscular structure that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavity is
…………………..
(a) pleura
(b) diaphragm
(c) trachea
(d) epithelium
Answer:
(b) diaphragm
Question 2.
What is the minimum number of plasma membrane that oxygen has to diffuse across
to pass from air in the alveolus to haemoglobin inside a R.B.C.?
(a) two
(b) three
(c) four
(d) five
Answer:
(a) two
Question 3.
…………………. is a sound producing organ.
(a) Larynx
(b) Pharynx
(c) Tonsils
(d) Trachea
Answer:
(a) Larynx
Question 4.
The maximum volume of gas that is inhaled during breathing in addition to T.V.
is …………………..
(a) residual volume
(b) IRV
(c) GRV.
(d) vital capacity
Answer:
(b) IRV
Question 5.
………………….. muscles contract when the external intercostals muscles contract.
(a) Internal abdominal
(b) Jaw
(c) Muscles in bronchial walls
(d) Diaphragm
Answer:
(d) Diaphragm
Question 6.
Movement of cytoplasm in unicellular organisms is called …………………..
(a) diffusion
(b) cyclosis
(c) circulation
(d) thrombosis
Answer:
(b) cyclosis
Question 7.
Which of the following animals do not have closed circulation?
(a) Earthworm
(b) Rabbit
(c) Butterfly
(d) Shark
Answer:
(c) Butterfly
Question 8.
Diapedesis is performed by …………………..
(a) erythrocytes
(b) thrombocytes
(c) adipocytes
(d) leucocytes
Answer:
(d) leucocytes
Question 9.
Pacemaker of heart is …………………..
(a) SA node
(b) AV node
(c) His bundle
(d) Purkinje fibers
Answer:
(a) SA node
Question 10.
Which of the following is without nucleus?
(a) Red blood corpuscle
(b) Neutrophil
(c) Basophil
(d) Lymphocyte
Answer:
(a) Red blood corpuscle
Question 11.
Cockroach shows which kind of circulatory system?
(a) Open
(b) Closed
(c) Lymphatic
(d) Double
Answer:
(a) Open
Question 12.
Diapedesis can be seen in …………………..
(a) RBC
(b) WBC
(c) Platelet
(d) neuron
Answer:
(b) WBC
Question 13.
Opening of inferior vena cava is guarded by …………………..
(a) bicuspid valve
(b) tricuspid valve
(c) Eustachian valve
(d) Thebesian valve
Answer:
(c) Eustachian valve
Question 14.
…………………. wave in ECG represent atrial depolarization.
(a) P
(b) QRS complex
(c) Q
(d) T
Answer:
(a) P
Question 15.
The fluid seen in the intercellular spaces in Human is …………………..
(a) blood
(b) lymph
(c) interstitial fluid
(d) water
Answer:
(b) lymph
2. Match the columns
Question 1.
Respiratory surface Organism
Answer:
3. Very Short Answer Questions
Question 1.
Why does trachea have ‘C’-shaped rings of cartilage?
Answer:
Trachea is supported by ‘C’-shaped rings of J cartilage which prevent it
from collapsing and always keep it open.
Question 2.
Why is respiration in insect called direct respiration?
Answer:
Respiration in insect is called direct because tracheal tubes exchange O2 and
CO2 directly with the haemocoel which then exchange them with
tissues.
Question 3.
Why is gas exchange very rapid at alveolar level?
OR
Why does gas exchange in the alveolar region very rapid?
Answer:
Gas exchange is very rapid at alveolar level because numerous alveoli
(about 700 millions) in the lungs provide large surface area for gaseous
exchange.
Question 4.
Name the organ which prevents the entry of food into the trachea while eating.
Answer:
Epiglottis prevents the entry of food into trachea while eating.
4. Short Answer Questions
Question 1.
Why is it advantageous to breathe through the nose than through the mouth?
Answer:
Breathing through nose is better than breathing through the mouth because of
the following reasons:
- The
nostrils are smaller than the mouth so air exhaled through the nose
creates a backflow of air into the lungs.
- As we
exhale more slowly through the nose than we do through the mouth, the
lungs have more time to extract oxygen from the air that we have already
taken in.
- The
hairs inside nostrils filter any dust particles and microbes in the air
and it only lets the clean air pass through.
- The
air gets warm and humidified in nostrils as it passes into our bodies.
- Moreover
breathing through the mouth can dry the oral cavity and lead to bad
breath, gum disease and tooth decay.
Question 2.
Identity the incorrect statement and correct it.
(a) A respiratory surface area should have a. large surface area.
(b) A respiratory surface area should be kept dry.
(c) A respiratory surface area should be thin, may be 1 mm or less.
Answer:
Statement (a) and statement (c) are correct whereas statement (b) is
incorrect. A respiratory surface area should be kept moist, is the correct
statement.
Question 3.
Given below are the characteristics of some modified respiratory movement.
Identify them.
a. Spasmodic contraction of muscles of expiration and forceful expulsion of air
through nose and mouth.
Answer:
Sneezing
b. An inspiration followed by many short convulsive
expiration accompanied by facial expression.
Answer:
Laughing, Crying.
Question 4.
Blood plasma.
Answer:
- Plasma
is a straw coloured, slightly alkaline viscous fluid part of the blood,
having 90-92% water and 8-10% soluble proteins.
- Serum
albumin, serum globulin, heparin, fibrinogen and prothrombin are the
plasma proteins which form 7% of the plasma.
- Glucose,
amino acids, fatty acids and glycerol are the nutrients dissolved in
plasma.
- Nitrogenous
wastes (urea, uric acid, . ammonia and creatinine) and respiratory gases
(oxygen and carbon dioxide) is present in plasma.
- Enzymes
and hormones too are transported Ada plasma.
- Inorganic
minerals are also present in plasma such as bicarbonates, chlorides,
phosphates and sulphates of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
Question 5.
Blood clotting/Coagulation of blood.
OR
Explain blood clotting in short.
Answer:
- The
process of converting the liquid blood into a semisolid form is called
blood clotting or coagulation.
- The
process of clotting may be initiated by contact of blood with any foreign
surface (intrinsic process) or with damaged tissue (extrinsic process).
- Intrinsic
and extrinsic processes involve interaction of various substances called
clotting factors by a step wise or cascade mechanism.
- There
are in all twelve clotting factors numbered as I to XII (factor VI is not
in active use).
- Interaction
of these factors in a cascade manner leads to formation of enzyme,
Thromboplastin which helps in the formation of enzyme prothrombinase.
- Prothrombinase
inactivates heparin and also converts inactive prothrombin into active
thrombin.
- Thrombin
converts soluble blood protein- fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin. Fibrin
forms a mesh in which platelets and other blood cells are trapped to form
the clot.
- These
reactions occur in 2 to 8 minutes. Therefore, clotting time is said to be
2 to 8 minutes.
Question 6.
Describe pericardium.
Answer:
- Pericardium
is the double layered peritoneum that encloses the heart. It consists of
two layers, viz. fibrous pericardium and serous pericardium.
- Fibrous
pericardium is the outer layer having tough, inelastic fibrous connective
tissue whereas serous pericardium is the v inner double layered membrane.
It has in turn an outer parietal layer and inner visceral layer.
- Parietal
layer of serous pericardium lies on the inner side of fibrous pericardium.
- Visceral
layer also known as epicardium adheres to heart and thus forms outer
covering over the heart.
- There
is a pericardial fluid in the pericardial space which is present in
between the parietal and visceral layers of serous pericardium.
Question 7.
Describe valves in the human heart.
Answer:
Human heart has following main valves:
- Tricuspid
valve : Tricuspid valve is present between the right atrium and right
ventricle. It has three cusps or flaps. It prevents the backflow of blood
into right atrium.
- Bicuspid
valve : Bicuspid valve, also called mitral valve is present between the
left atrium and left ventricle. It has two flaps. It prevents the backflow
of blood in left atrium. Both tricuspid and bicuspid valves are attached
to papillary muscles with tendinous chords or chordate tendinae to prevent
valves from turning back into atria at the time of systole.
- Semilunar
valve : These are present at the opening of pulmonary artery and systemic
aorta. They prevent the back flow of blood when ventricles undergo
systole.
- Thebesian
valve : Thebesian valve is present at the opening of coronary sinus.
- Eustachian
valve : Eustachian valve is present at the opening of inferior vena cava.
Question 8.
What is the role of papillary muscles and chordae tendinae in human heart?
Answer:
- Papillary
muscles are large and well- developed muscular ridges present along the
inner surface of the ventricles.
- Bicuspid
and tricuspid valves are attached to papillary muscles of ventricles by
chordae tendinae.
- Chordae
tendinae are inelastic fibres present in the lumen of ventricles.
- The
chordae tendinae prevent the valves from turning back into the atria
during the contraction of ventricles and regulate the opening and closing
of bicuspid and tricuspid valves.
Question 9.
Explain in brief the factors affecting blood pressure.
Answer:
- Cardiac
output : Normal cardiac output is 5 lit/min. Increase in cardiac output
increases systolic pressure.
- Peripheral
resistance : Peripheral resistance depends upon the diameter of blood
vessels. Decrease in diameter of arterioles and capillaries under the
effect of vasopressin cause increase in peripheral resistance and thereby
increase in blood pressure.
- Blood
volume : Loss of blood in accidents decreases blood volume and thus cause
decrease in blood pressure.
- Viscosity
of blood : Blood pressure is directly proportional to viscosity of blood.
- Age :
Blood pressure increases with age due to increase in inelasticity of blood
vessels.
- Venous
return : Amount of blood brought to the heart via the veins per unit time
is called the venous return and it is directly proportional to blood
pressure.
- Length
and diameter of blood vessels : Blood pressure is directly proportional to
the total length of the blood vessel. Blood pressure can also be affected
by vasoconstriction or vasodilation.
- Gender
: Females have slightly lower BP than males of her age before menopause.
However, the risk of high B. P increases in the females after menopause
sets in.
5. Give Scientific Reason
Question 1.
Closed circulation is more efficient than open circulation.
Answer:
- Closed
circulation considerably enhances the speed, precision and efficiency of
circulation.
- The
blood flows more rapidly, it takes less time to circulate through the
closed system and return to the heart.
- This
fastens the supply and removed of materials to and from the tissues by the
blood as compared to open circulation.
- In
open circulation, there are no blood vessels such as arteries or veins, to
pump the blood.
- Therefore,
the blood pressure is very low.
- Organisms
with an open circulatory system typically have a relatively high volume of
hemolymph and low blood pressure. Closed circulation is thus more
efficient than open circulation.
Question 2.
Human heart is called as myogenic and autorhythmic?
Answer:
- The
heart shows auto rhythmicity because the impulse for its rhythmic movement
develops inside the heart. Such heart is called myogenic.
- Some
of the cardiac muscle fibres become auto rhythmic (self-excitable) and
start generating impulse during development.
- These
autorhythmic fibres perform two important function, viz. acting as a
pacemaker and setting the rhythm for heart.
- They
also form conducting system for conduction of nerve impulses throughout
the heart muscles.
Question 3.
In human heart, the blood flows only in one direction.
Answer:
- In
veins there are valves, which prevent the back flow of the blood.
- In
arteries, blood flows with unidirectional pressure.
- Hence
the circulation takes place only in one direction.
Question 4.
Arteries are thicker than veins.
Answer:
- Arteries
have relatively thick walls to enable them to withstand the high pressure
of blood ejected from the heart.
- Arteries
expand when the pressure increases as the heart pushes blood out but then
recoil (shrink) Wn the pressure decreases when the heart relaxes between
heartbeats.
- This
expansion and recoiling occurs to maintain a smooth blood flow.
- Veins,
on the other hand, have thinner walls and larger lumen veins have no need
for thick walls as then need not have to withstand high pressure like
arteries.
- Moreover,
as veins transport relatively low pressure blood, they are commonly
equipped with valves to promote the unidirectional flow of blood towards
the heart.
Question 5.
Left ventricle is thick than all other chambers of heart.
OR
Left ventricle has thicker wall than the right ventricle.
Answer:
- Left
ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to all parts of the body. Therefore,
there is greater pressure from the blood in left ventricle.
- Right
ventricle sends deoxygenated blood to lungs for oxygenation. This does not
put more pressure and lungs are in vicinity of the heart.
- Due
to these functional differences between the two ventricles, left ventricle
has thicker wall than that of the right ventricle.
6. Distinguish Between
Question 1.
Open circulation and Closed circulation
Answer:
Question 2.
Arteries and veins.
Answer:
Question 3.
Blood and Lymph.
Answer:
Question 4.
Blood capillary and Lymph capillary.
Answer:
Question 5.
Intrinsic and Extrinsic process of clotting.
Answer:
7. Long Answer Questions
Question 1.
Smita was working in a garage with the doors closed and automobiles engine
running. After some time she felt breathless and fainted. What would be the
reason? How can she be treated
OR
While working with the car engine in a closed garage, John suddenly felt dizzy
and fainted what is the possible reason?
Answer:
- As
Smita and John were working with the car engine running in a closed
garage, they must be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Carbon
monoxide (CO) is a highly toxic gas produced when fuels burn incompletely
from automobile engines.
- Because
of strong affinity of haemoglobin with carbon monoxide, it readily
combines with carbon monoxide to from a stable compound,
carboxyhaemoglobin. Thus, less haemoglobin is available for oxygen
transport depriving the cells of oxygen.
- Exposure
to carbon monoxide can usually leads to throbbing headache, drowsiness,
breathlessness and often person gets fainted. In extreme cases carbon
monoxide poisoning usually leads to unconsciousness, convulsions,
cardiovascular failure, coma and eventually death.
The breathless persons can be treated by following method:
- Oxygen
treatment : The best way to treat carbon monoxide poisoning is to breathe
in pure oxygen (high-dose oxygen treatment)
- Oxygen
chamber : Doctor may temporarily place her in a pressurized oxygen chamber
(also known as a hyperbaric oxygen chamber)
Question 2.
Shreyas went to a garden on a wintry morning. When he came back, he found it
difficult to breath and stated wheezing. What could be the possible condition
and how can he be treated?
Answer:
(1) It indicates that Shreyas might be suffering from allergic reactions.
He may have come in contact with allergens such as pollen, dust, pet dander or
other environmental substances on his way in the garden. Or Shreyas may be
already a patient of Asthma and his symptoms may have aggrevated due to wintry
climate.
(2) If a person is allergic to a substance, such as pollen,
his immune system reacts to the substance as if it was foreign and harmful, and
tries to destroy it.
(3) The body reacts to these allergens by making and
releasing substances known as IgE antibodies. These IgE antibodies attach to
most cells in the body which release histamine. Histamine is the main substance
responsible for pollen allergy symptoms such as difficulty in breathing,
wheezing, sneezing, itchy throat, etc.
(4) Treatment : There are several drugs to treat the
allergic reactions:
- Antihistamines
such as cetirizine or diphenhydramine.
- Decongestants,
such as pseudoephedrine or oxymetazoline.
- Medications
that combine an antihistamine and decongestant such as Actifed and
Claritin-D.
Question 3.
Why can you feel a pulse when you keep a finger on the wrist or neck but not
when you keep them on a vein?
Answer:
(1) When the heart contracts, it creates pressure that pushes blood out of
heart. This pressure acts like a wave. This “wave” of pressure is the pulse you
feel. But this pressure is not constant.
(2) When the heart pumps the blood out of it at the time of
systole, there is maximum pressure in the arteries. This pressure weakens
considerably when it reaches capillaries, and so the veins which are away from
the heart are under less pressure. Due to low pressure veins have valves to
prevent backflow of blood.
(3) The pressure in the arteries can be felt every time the
heart beats, especially in arteries which come to surface of the body like that
of the wrist and neck but not in veins.
(4) The pressure in veins is always weaker than in arteries,
resulting in a weaker pulse to the point that it is undetectable by touch
alone.
(5) Owing to this, when we keep finger on the arteries of
wrist or neck, we feel a pulse but not when we keep it on a vein.
Question 4.
A man’s pulse rate is 68 and cardiac output is 5500 cm3. Find the stroke
volume.
Answer:
Cardiac output is the volume of blood pumped out per min for a normal adult
human being it is calculated as follows:
Cardiac output = Heart rate × Stroke volume
Given : Cardiac output = 5500 cm³
Pulse rate = Heart rate = 68
By using these values stroke volume of is calculated as follows:
∴
Cardiac output = Heart rate × Stroke
volume
∴
Stroke volume = Cardiac output/Heart rate
= 5500/68
= Approx. 80. ∴ Stroke volume is 80 ml.
Question 5.
Which blood vessel leaving from the heart will have the maximum content of
oxygen and why?
Answer:
- The
Aorta leaving the heart from left ventricle carry the maximum content of
oxygen.
- Deoxygenated
blood becomes oxygenated in the pulmonary capillaries surrounding the
alveoli of lungs. The oxygenated blood from lungs is collected by the four
pulmonary veins.
- These
pulmonary veins carry that oxygenated blood to left atrium of heart.
During atrial systole that blood is carried to left ventricle.
- Left
ventricle then pumps that oxygenated blood to Aorta during ventricular
systole. Therefore, aorta has the maximum content of oxygen.
Question 6.
If the duration of the atrial ‘systole is 0.1 second and that of complete
diastole is 0.4 second, then how does one cardiac cycle complete in 0.8 second?
Answer:
- The
time duration required to complete one cardiac cycle is 0.8 second.
- Cardiac
cycle is divided into three important phases, viz, atrial systole,
ventricular systole and joint diastole.
- Atrial
systole in normal condition lasts for 0.1 second, ventricular systole
follows atrial systole and lasts for 0.3 second whereas joint diastole or
complete diastole lasts for about 0.4 second.
- In
this way one cardiac cycle is completed in 0.8 second.
Question 7.
How is blood kept moving in the large veins of the legs?
Answer:
1. When heart undergoes systole, it pushes the blood with pressure in
aorta. This pressure moves the entire circulation of the blood throughout the
body. Aorta gives rise to dorsal aorta after supplying to upper parts of body.
Then it divides into two arteries which enter two legs. The blood is forced to
move in the legs due to blood pressure and also aided by gravity.
2. In addition, the muscles in legs help transport blood
back to our heart. As the muscles of our body contract and relax to move our
limbs, they squeeze the blood in veins and the blood is then pushed towards the
heart.
3. The veins in legs also have valves to keep this process
going and prevent blood from flowing back down towards the feet.
4. In this way blood is kept moving in the large veins of
the legs.
Question 8.
Describe histological structure of artery, vein and capillary.
Answer:
Histological structure of artery and vein.
- Artery
is a thick walled blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood. (Exception
is pulmonary artery which carries deoxygenated blood from heart to lungs
for oxygenation.)
- All
the arteries arise from heart and carry blood away from the heart.
- Each
artery is made up of three layers, viz. tunica externa, tunica media and
tunica interna.
- Tunica
externa or adventitia is the thickest layer of all. It is the outermost
coat made up of connective tissue with elastic and collagen fibres.
- Tunica
media is the middle coat made up of smooth muscle fibres and elastic
fibres. It withstands high blood pressure during ventricular systole. It
is also thick.
- Tunica
interna or intima is the innermost coat made of endothelium and elastic
layer.
Histology of Capillaries:
- Capillaries
are the smallest and thinnest blood vessels. Capillaries are formed by the
division and re-division of the arterioles.
- The
wall of the capillary is made up of endothelium or squamous epithelium.
- The
capillary wall is permeable to water and dissolved substances.
- Exchange
of respiratory gases, nutrients, excretory products, etc. takes place
through the capillary wall.
- Capillaries
unite to form venules.
Question 9.
What is blood pressure? How is it measured? Explain factors affecting blood
pressure.
Answer:
1. Blood pressure:
- The
pressure exerted by blood on the wall of the blood vessels is called blood
pressure. Pressure exerted by blood on the wall of arterial wall is
arterial blood pressure. Blood pressure is described in two terms viz.
systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure.
- Systolic
blood pressure is the pressure exerted on arterial wall during ventricular
contraction (systole). For a normal healthy adult the average value is 120
mmHg.
- Diastolic
blood pressure is the pressure on arterial wall during ventricular
relaxation (diastole). For a normal healthy adult it is 80 mmHg.
- B. E
= SP/DP = 120/80 mmHg. Blood pressure is normally written as 120/80 mmHg.
Difference between systolic and diastolic pressure is called pulse
pressure normally, it is 40 mmHg.
2. Measurement of blood pressure:
- Blood
pressure is measured with the help of an instrument called
sphygmomanometer.
- The
instrument consists of inflatable rubber bag cuff covered by a cotton
cloth. It is connected with the help of tubes to a mercury manometer on
one side and a rubber bulb on the other side.
- During
measurement, the person is asked to lie in a sleeping position. The
instrument is placed at the level of heart and the cuff is tightly wrapped
around upper arm.
- The
cuff is inflated till the brachial artery is blocked due to external
pressure. Then pressure in the cuff is slowly lowered till the first
pulsatile sound is produced. At this moment, pressure indicated in
manometer is systolic pressure. Sounds heard during this measurement of
blood pressure are called as Korotkoff sounds.
- Pressure
in the cuff is further lowered till any pulsatile sound cannot be heard
due to smooth blood flow. At this moment, pressure indicated in manometer
is diastolic pressure an optimal blood pressure (normal) level reads
120/80 mmHg.
3. Factors affecting blood pressure:
- Cardiac
output : Normal cardiac output is 5 lit/min. Increase in cardiac output
increases systolic pressure.
- Peripheral
resistance : Peripheral resistance depends upon the diameter of blood
vessels. Decrease in diameter of arterioles and capillaries under the
effect of vasopressin cause increase in peripheral resistance and thereby
increase in blood pressure.
- Blood
volume : Loss of blood in accidents decreases blood volume and thus cause
decrease in blood pressure.
- Viscosity
of blood : Blood pressure is directly proportional to viscosity of blood.
- Age
: Blood pressure increases with age due to increase in inelasticity of
blood vessels.
- Venous
return : Amount of blood brought to the heart via the veins per unit time
is called the venous return and it is directly proportional to blood
pressure.
- Length
and diameter of blood vessels : Blood pressure is directly proportional to
the total length of the blood vessel. Blood pressure can also be affected
by vasoconstriction or vasodilation.
- Gender
: Females have slightly lower BP than males of her age before menopause.
However, the risk of high B. P increases in the females after menopause
sets in.
Question 10.
Describe human blood and give its functions.
Answer:
Blood Composition:
- Blood
is a red coloured fluid connective tissue derived from embryonic mesoderm.
- It
has two components – the fluid plasma (55%) and the formed elements i.e.
blood cells (44%).
- Plasma
is a straw coloured, slightly alkaline and viscous fluid having 90% water
and 10% solutes such as proteins, nutrients, nitrogenous wastes, salts,
hormones, etc.
- Blood
corpuscles are of three types, viz. erythrocytes (RBCs), white blood
corpuscles (WBCs) and thrombocytes (platelets).
(5) Red blood corpuscles or Erythrocytes:
- Erythrocytes
or red blood corpuscles. They are circular, biconcave, enucleated cells.
- The
RBC size : 7 pm in diameter and 2.5 pm in thickness.
- The
RBC count : 5.1 to 5.8 million RBCs/ cu mm of blood in an adult male and
4.3 to 5.2 million/cu mm in an adult female.
- The
average life span of RBC : 120 days.
- RBCs
are formed by the process of erythropoiesis. In foetus, RBC formation
takes place in liver and spleen whereas in adults it occurs in red bone
marrow.
- The
old and worn out RBCs are destroyed in liver and spleen.
- Polycythemia
is an increase in number of RBCs while erythrocytopenia is decrease in
their (RBCs) number.
Functions of RBCs:
- Transport
of oxygen from lungs to tissues and carbon dioxide from tissues to lungs
with the help of haemoglobin.
- Maintenance
of blood pH as haemoglobin acts as a buffer.
- Maintenance
of the viscosity of blood.
(6) White blood corpuscles / Leucocytes:
1. Leucocytes or White Blood Corpuscles (WBCs) are colourless, nucleated,
amoeboid and phagocytic cells.
2. Their size ranges between 8 to 15 pm. Total WBC count is
5000 to 9000 WBCs/cu mm of blood. The average life span of a WBC is about 3 to
4 days.
3. They are formed by leucopoiesis in red bone marrow,
spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils, thymus and Payer’s patches, whereas the dead WBCs
are destroyed by phagocytosis in blood, liver and lymph nodes.
4. Leucocytes are mainly divided into two types, viz.,
granulocytes and agranulocytes.
5. Granulocytes : Granulocytes are cells with granular
cytoplasm and lobed nucleus. Based on their staining properties and shape of
nucleus, they are of three types, viz. neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils.
(I) Neutrophils:
- In
neutrophils, the cytoplasmic granules take up neutral stains.
- Their
nucleus is three to five lobed.
- It
may undergo changes in structure hence they are called polymorphonuclear
leucocytes or polymorphs.
- Neutrophils
are about 70% of total WBCs.
- They
are phagocytic in function and engulf microorganisms.
(II) Eosinophils or acidophils:
- Cytoplasmic
granules of eosinophils take up acidic dyes such as eosin. They have
bilobed nucleus.
- Eosinophils
are about 3% of total WBCs.
- They
are non-phagocytic in nature.
- Their
number increases (i.e. eosinophilia) during allergic conditions.
- They
have antihistamine property.
(III) Basophils:
- The
cytoplasmic granules of basophils take up basic stains such as methylene
blue.
- They
have twisted nucleus.
- In
size, they are smallest and constitute about 0.5% of total WBCs.
- They
too are non-phagocytic.
- Their
function is to release heparin which acts as an anticoagulant and
histamine that is involved in inflammatory and allergic reaction.
6. Agranulocytes : There are two types of agranulocytes,
viz. monocytes and lymphocytes. Agranulocytes do not show cytoplasmic granules
and their nucleus is not lobed. They are of two types, viz. lymphocytes and
monocytes.
(I) Lymphocytes:
- Agranulocytes
with a large round nucleus are called lymphocyte.
- They
are about 30% of total WBCs.
- Agranulocytes
are responsible for immune response of the body by producing antibodies.
(II) Monocytes:
- Largest
of all WBCs having large kidney shaped nucleus are monocytes. They are
about 5% of total WBCs.
- They
are phagocytic in function.
- They
can differentiate into macrophages for engulfing microorganisms and
removing cell debris. Hence they are also called scavengers.
- At
the site of infections they are seen in more enlarged form.
(7) Thrombocytes/Platelets:
- Thrombocytes
or platelets are non- nucleated, round and biconvex blood corpuscles.
- They
are smallest corpuscles measuring about 2.5 to 5 mm in diameter with a
count of about 2.5 lakhs/cu mm of blood.
- Their
life span is about 5 to 10 days.
- Thrombocytes
are formed from megakaryocytes of bone marrow. They break from these cells
as fragments during the process of thrombopoiesis.
- Thrombocytosis
is the increase in platelet count while thrombocytopenia is decrease in
platelet count.
- Thrombocytes
possess thromboplastin which helps in clotting of blood.
- Therefore,
at the site of injury platelets aggregate and form a platelet plug. Here
they release thromboplastin due to which further blood clotting reactions
take place.
(8) Functions of blood:
- Transport
of oxygen and carbon dioxide
- Transport
of food
- Transport
of waste product
- Transport
of hormones
- Maintenance
of pH
- Water
balance
- Transport
of heat
- Defence
against infection
- Temperature
regulation
- Blood
clotting/coagulation
- Helps
in healing