Which component of the blood is essential in transporting oxygen to body cells?
Plasma
Platelets
Erythrocytes
Leukocytes
The Correct Answer is C
A. Plasma is the straw-colored liquid portion of blood that makes up about 55% of total blood volume. It serves as a medium for transporting nutrients, hormones, electrolytes, and waste products throughout the body. While plasma is crucial for circulation and maintaining blood pressure, it does not carry oxygen directly to tissues. Oxygen transport requires specialized cells and proteins.
B. Platelets, or thrombocytes, are small cell fragments that play a vital role in blood clotting and the repair of damaged blood vessels. While essential for hemostasis, they do not participate in oxygen transport or nutrient delivery to cells.
C. Erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells, are specialized cells whose primary function is the transport of oxygen. Each erythrocyte contains hemoglobin, an iron-containing protein that binds oxygen molecules in the lungs and releases them in tissues where oxygen is needed. Hemoglobin also helps carry carbon dioxide, a metabolic waste product, from tissues back to the lungs for exhalation. The biconcave shape of erythrocytes increases surface area for gas exchange, while their flexibility allows them to navigate through narrow capillaries. Low erythrocyte count or inadequate hemoglobin leads to conditions such as anemia, resulting in fatigue, weakness, and impaired tissue oxygenation.
D. Leukocytes, or white blood cells, are part of the immune system. They defend the body against infections, remove damaged cells, and participate in inflammatory responses. While they are vital for health, they do not transport oxygen to body tissues.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Amylase is an enzyme, not a hormone. It aids in carbohydrate digestion by breaking down starch into sugars but does not regulate blood glucose levels.
B. Leptin and ghrelin are hormones involved in appetite regulation. Leptin signals satiety, while ghrelin stimulates hunger. They influence energy intake but do not directly control blood glucose.
C. Glucagon does help raise blood glucose, but cholecystokinin (CCK) primarily regulates digestion by stimulating bile and pancreatic enzyme release and signaling satiety; it does not directly control glucose levels.
D. Insulin and glucagon are the primary hormones responsible for maintaining blood glucose homeostasis. Insulin, secreted by pancreatic beta cells, lowers blood glucose by promoting glucose uptake into cells and storage as glycogen in the liver and muscles. Glucagon, secreted by pancreatic alpha cells, raises blood glucose by stimulating glycogen breakdown (glycogenolysis) and glucose production (gluconeogenesis) in the liver. Together, they maintain blood glucose within a narrow, healthy range, essential for energy supply to the brain and other tissues.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. A peanut allergy is an immune-mediated response in which the body identifies peanut proteins as harmful, triggering a severe allergic reaction. This is a true food allergy, not a food intolerance.
B. Lactose intolerance is a food intolerance, not an allergy. It occurs when the body lacks sufficient lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products. This leads to gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, gas, and abdominal pain after consuming dairy, but it does not involve the immune system.
C. A bee sting reaction is an example of an allergy caused by the immune system responding to bee venom. It is not related to food intolerance.
D. A shellfish allergy is an immune-mediated reaction to proteins in shellfish, which can cause severe or life-threatening symptoms. This is a true allergy, not a food intolerance.
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