Blood Properties Quiz: How Well You Know?

1.

Which of the four basic tissue types does blood belong to?

A.

Epithelium
B.

Connective tissue
C.

Muscle
D.

Blood

Correct Answer
B. Connective tissue

Explanation
There are four basic tissue types: epithelium, connective tissue, muscle and nervous tissue. Connective tissue is the most diverse. Blood is considered a type of connective tissue.

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2.

Which of the following formed elements do not contain a nucleus?

A.

Platelets
B.

Erythrocytes
C.

Monocytes
D.

Both a and b

Correct Answer
A. Platelets

Explanation
Blood is composed of the formed elements and plasma. Plasma is the liquid portion of blood. The formed elements consist of the cells and cell fragments. The erythrocytes (red blood cells), platelets, and leukocytes (white blood cells) are all considered formed elements. Erythrocytes do not contain a nucleus. During their development within the bone marrow, they have a nucleus. However, prior to their entering into the bloodstream, the nucleus is ejected. Platelets are cell fragments. Platelets also do not contain a nucleus. They are fragments from megakaryocytes within the bone marrow. Leukocytes, which include monocytes, are cells with a nucleus.

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3.

What comes from a megakaryocyte?

A.

Lymphocytes
B.

Platelets
C.

Erythrocytes
D.

Monocytes

Correct Answer
B. Platelets

Explanation
Platelets are cell fragments. They are fragments from megakaryocytes within the bone marrow. Histology hint from Sarah Bellham: The prefix "mega" is from the Greek "Megas" which means great or big. For example megaphone, megalomaniac, megabyte, and megakaryocyte.

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4.

Which leukocyte is the most abundant in a peripheral smear of blood?

A.

Lymphocytes
B.

Basophils
C.

Neutrophil
D.

Monocytes

Correct Answer
C. NeutropHil

Explanation
Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocyte. Leukocytes are white blood cells. The order of frequency of the leukocytes is neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil, basophil. Histology hint from Sarah Bellham: The order of frequency of the leukocytes can be remembered by the mnemonic: "Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas".

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5.

Which of the following is a granulocyte?

A.

Thrombocyte
B.

Eosinophil
C.

Lymphocyte
D.

Erythrocyte

Correct Answer
B. EosinopHil

Explanation
The granulocytes are named because of the presence of visible cytoplasmic granules. The granulocytes consist of neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. The non-granulocytes are lymphocytes and monocytes. Erythrocytes are red blood cells. A thrombocyte is a platelet. Note from Sarah Bellham: The suffix (or prefix) "Phil" comes from the Greek word meaning love. It is used to specify an attraction or affinity towards something. It is seen in such words as philosophy, philanthropy, and bibliophile. This suffix is used in naming the three granulocytes: eosinophils, basophils, and neutrophils. Eosinophils "love" or are attracted to the eosin dye; thus the granules in an eosinophil are orange/pink. Basophils "love" or are attracted to the basophilic dye; thus the granules in a basophil are blue. Neutrophils "love" or are attracted to the neutral dye; thus the granules in a neutrophil are neutral colored.

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6.

Which leukocyte has a multi-lobed (3-5 lobes) nucleus?

A.

Neutrophil
B.

Lymphocytes
C.

Monocytes
D.

Basophils

Correct Answer
A. NeutropHil

Explanation
The leukocytes consist of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Neutrophils are granulocytes. Neutrophils have a multi-lobed nucleus. The lobes are separated by a thin strand. Because of the shape of the nucleus, neutrophils are also called "polymorphonuclear neutrophils", "poly's", "PMN", or "polymorph. Lymphocytes are agranulocytes. Lymphocytes can be categorized by three sizes: small, medium, and large. The small lymphocytes are the smallest leukocyte, being only slightly larger than an erythrocyte. Monocytes are agranulocytes. They are the largest leukocyte. Eosinophils are granulocytes. Eosinophils have prominent orange-pink granules. The nucleus of eosinophils is usually bi-lobed. Basophils are granulocytes. Basophils have large blue granules, which often obscure the nucleus. The granules are basophilic, therefore they are blue.

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7.

Which cell has large blue granules, often obscuring the nucleus?

A.

Monocytes
B.

Eosinophil
C.

Basophils
D.

Lymphocytes

Correct Answer
C. BasopHils

Explanation
The leukocytes consist of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Neutrophils are granulocytes. Neutrophils have a multi-lobed nucleus. The lobes are separated by a thin strand. Because of the shape of the nucleus, neutrophils are also called "polymorphonuclear neutrophils", "poly's", "PMN", or "polymorph". Lymphocytes are agranulocytes. Lymphocytes can be categorized by three sizes: small, medium, and large. The small lymphocytes are the smallest leukocyte, being only slightly larger than an erythrocyte. Monocytes are agranulocytes. They are the largest leukocyte. Eosinophils are granulocytes. Eosinophils have prominent orange-pink granules. The nucleus of eosinophils is usually bi-lobed. Basophils are granulocytes. Basophils have large blue granules, which often obscure the nucleus. The granules are basophilic, therefore they are blue.

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8.

Which of the following is not considered a "formed element"?

A.

Plasma
B.

Erythrocytes
C.

Leukocytes
D.

Platelets

Correct Answer
A. Plasma

Explanation
Blood is composed of formed elements and plasma. Plasma is the liquid portion of blood. The formed elements consist of the cells and cell fragments. The erythrocytes (red blood cells), platelets, and leukocytes (white blood cells) are all considered formed elements.

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9.

Which leukocyte is the least abundant in a peripheral smear of blood?

A.

Lymphocytes
B.

Basophils
C.

Neutrophil
D.

Eosinophils

Correct Answer
B. BasopHils

Explanation
Basophils are the least abundant leukocyte. Leukocytes are white blood cells. The order of frequency of the leukocytes is neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil, basophil. Histology hint from Sarah Bellham: The order of frequency of the leukocytes can be remembered by the mnemonic: "Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas".

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10.

Which of the following is described as having a "central pallor"?

A.

Erythrocytes
B.

Monocytes
C.

Leukocytes
D.

Eosinophils

Correct Answer
A. Erythrocytes

Explanation
Erythrocytes (red blood cells) are described as biconcave discs. When stained, this phenomenon results in the central portion of the cell staining lighter, thus the "central pallor". Histology hint from Sarah Bellham: A biconcave disc can be visualized by holding two Frisbees together so that the middle portion is thinner than the top or bottom.

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11.

What is another term for a platelet?

A.

Leukocytes
B.

Thrombocyte
C.

Lymphocyte
D.

Monocyte

Correct Answer
B. Thrombocyte

Explanation
A thrombocyte is another name for a platelet.

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12.

Which leukocyte has orange-pink granules?

A.

Neutrophil
B.

Lymphocytes
C.

Monocytes
D.

Eosinophil

Correct Answer
D. EosinopHil

Explanation
The leukocytes consist of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Neutrophils are granulocytes. Neutrophils have a multi-lobed nucleus. The lobes are separated by a thin strand. Because of the shape of the nucleus, neutrophils are also called "polymorphonuclear neutrophils", "poly's", "PMN", or "polymorph". Lymphocytes are agranulocytes. Lymphocytes can be categorized by three sizes: small, medium, and large. The small lymphocytes are the smallest leukocyte, being only slightly larger than an erythrocyte. Monocytes are agranulocytes. They are the largest leukocyte. Eosinophils are granulocytes. Eosinophils have prominent orange-pink granules. The nucleus of eosinophils is usually bi-lobed. Basophils are granulocytes. Basophils have large blue granules, which often obscure the nucleus. The granules are basophilic, therefore they are blue.

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