PLTW Biomedical Sciences Unit 3
UPDATED Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Anemia - CORRECT ANSWER - A state where red blood cells are scarce in the blood, in
hemoglobin, or in total volume.
Blood Plasma - CORRECT ANSWER - The faint yellow liquid portion of whole blood
that is made of water and its dissolved constituents including, sugars, lipids, metabolic waste
products, amino acids, hormones, and vitamins.
Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells) - CORRECT ANSWER - Any of the hemoglobin-holding
cells that bring oxygen to the tissues and are responsible for the red color of vertebrate blood.
Hematocrit - CORRECT ANSWER - The percent of the volume of whole blood that is
made of red blood cells as determined by separation of red blood cells from the plasma usually
by centrifugation.
Leukocytes (White Blood Cell) - CORRECT ANSWER - Any of the blood cells that are
colorless, lack hemoglobin, contain a nucleus, and include the lymphocytes, monocytes,
neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.
Sickle Cell Disease - CORRECT ANSWER - Individuals who are homozygous for the
gene controlling hemoglobin S. The disease is characterized by the destruction of red blood cells
and by episodic blocking of blood vessels by the adherence of sickle cells to the vascular
endothelium.
Thrombocytes (Platelets) - CORRECT ANSWER - A minute colorless anucleate disklike
body of mammalian blood that assists in blood clotting by adhering to other platelets and to
damaged epithelium.
, Amino Acid - CORRECT ANSWER - An organic monomer which serves a purpose as a
building block for proteins.
Anticodon - CORRECT ANSWER - A set of three nucleotide bases in transfer RNA that
identifies the amino acid carried and binds to a complementary codon in messenger RNA during
protein synthesis at a ribosome.
Codon - CORRECT ANSWER - A three-nucleotide sequence of DNA or mRNA that
identifies a certain amino acid or termination signal; the basic unit of the genetic code.
Hydrophilic - CORRECT ANSWER - Having an affinity for water.
Hydrophobic - CORRECT ANSWER - Having an allergy to water; tending to coalesce and
create droplets in water.
Messenger RNA (mRNA) - CORRECT ANSWER - A type of RNA, synthesized from
DNA and attached to ribosomes in the cytoplasm; it identifies the primary structure of a protein.
Mutation - CORRECT ANSWER - A rare change in the DNA of a gene, ultimately
creating genetic diversity.
Nucleotide - CORRECT ANSWER - The building block of a nucleic acid, consisting of a
five-carbon sugar covalently bonded to a nitrogenous base and a phosphate group.
Protein - CORRECT ANSWER - A three dimensional polymer made of monomers of
amino acids.
Protein Synthesis - CORRECT ANSWER - The creation of a protein from a DNA
template.
UPDATED Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Anemia - CORRECT ANSWER - A state where red blood cells are scarce in the blood, in
hemoglobin, or in total volume.
Blood Plasma - CORRECT ANSWER - The faint yellow liquid portion of whole blood
that is made of water and its dissolved constituents including, sugars, lipids, metabolic waste
products, amino acids, hormones, and vitamins.
Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells) - CORRECT ANSWER - Any of the hemoglobin-holding
cells that bring oxygen to the tissues and are responsible for the red color of vertebrate blood.
Hematocrit - CORRECT ANSWER - The percent of the volume of whole blood that is
made of red blood cells as determined by separation of red blood cells from the plasma usually
by centrifugation.
Leukocytes (White Blood Cell) - CORRECT ANSWER - Any of the blood cells that are
colorless, lack hemoglobin, contain a nucleus, and include the lymphocytes, monocytes,
neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.
Sickle Cell Disease - CORRECT ANSWER - Individuals who are homozygous for the
gene controlling hemoglobin S. The disease is characterized by the destruction of red blood cells
and by episodic blocking of blood vessels by the adherence of sickle cells to the vascular
endothelium.
Thrombocytes (Platelets) - CORRECT ANSWER - A minute colorless anucleate disklike
body of mammalian blood that assists in blood clotting by adhering to other platelets and to
damaged epithelium.
, Amino Acid - CORRECT ANSWER - An organic monomer which serves a purpose as a
building block for proteins.
Anticodon - CORRECT ANSWER - A set of three nucleotide bases in transfer RNA that
identifies the amino acid carried and binds to a complementary codon in messenger RNA during
protein synthesis at a ribosome.
Codon - CORRECT ANSWER - A three-nucleotide sequence of DNA or mRNA that
identifies a certain amino acid or termination signal; the basic unit of the genetic code.
Hydrophilic - CORRECT ANSWER - Having an affinity for water.
Hydrophobic - CORRECT ANSWER - Having an allergy to water; tending to coalesce and
create droplets in water.
Messenger RNA (mRNA) - CORRECT ANSWER - A type of RNA, synthesized from
DNA and attached to ribosomes in the cytoplasm; it identifies the primary structure of a protein.
Mutation - CORRECT ANSWER - A rare change in the DNA of a gene, ultimately
creating genetic diversity.
Nucleotide - CORRECT ANSWER - The building block of a nucleic acid, consisting of a
five-carbon sugar covalently bonded to a nitrogenous base and a phosphate group.
Protein - CORRECT ANSWER - A three dimensional polymer made of monomers of
amino acids.
Protein Synthesis - CORRECT ANSWER - The creation of a protein from a DNA
template.
