Answers | Practice Prep
1. What are the main components of fetal hemoglobin?
Gamma and delta globin chains
Alpha and beta globin chains
Alpha and gamma globin chains
Beta and delta globin chains
2. Describe how the stickiness of sickled red blood cells can lead to
complications in the circulatory system.
The stickiness of sickled red blood cells can cause blockages in
blood vessels, leading to pain and organ damage.
Sickled red blood cells are less dense, allowing for smoother blood
flow.
Sickled red blood cells do not affect blood flow or cause
complications.
The stickiness of sickled red blood cells enhances oxygen delivery to
tissues.
3. What are the three primary functions of blood as described in the text?
Movement, support, and protection
Digestion, absorption, and excretion
Synthesis, storage, and secretion
Transport, regulation, and protection
,4. If a mutation in hemoglobin reduces its ability to exhibit cooperative binding,
what impact might this have on a person's oxygen transport and delivery?
Improved binding of carbon dioxide
Increased oxygen saturation in the lungs
Reduced efficiency in oxygen transport and delivery
Enhanced release of oxygen in tissues
5. What is the sickle cell trait's primary advantage against malaria?
Enhanced oxygen transport
Improved blood clotting
Higher red blood cell count
Increased resistance to malaria
6. Describe how a mutation in the hemoglobin gene affects red blood cell
production.
A mutation in the hemoglobin gene enhances oxygen transport
efficiency.
A mutation in the hemoglobin gene disrupts normal hemoglobin
synthesis, leading to ineffective red blood cell production.
A mutation in the hemoglobin gene causes an increase in plasma
volume.
A mutation in the hemoglobin gene increases the production of white
blood cells.
7. The relationship between sickle cell trait and malaria is best defined as:
, Sickle cell trait changes the shape of red blood cells from doughnuts
to croissants
Sickle cell trait decreases oxygen carrying capacity making it easier to
contract malaria
Sickle cell trait provided an adaptive advantage under the selection
pressure of malaria
Sickle cell trait was the selective pressure and malaria provided the
adaptive advantage
8. If a patient has a low MCV result, what condition might this suggest regarding
their red blood cells?
Leukemia
Macrocytic anemia
Polycythemia vera
Microcytic anemia
9. Which of the following anemias is macrocytic?
Pernicious
Aplastic
Iron deficiency
Thalassemia
10. Describe how iron deficiency can lead to microcytic anemia.
Iron deficiency results in the overproduction of red blood cells,
causing them to be smaller.
Iron deficiency leads to insufficient hemoglobin production,
resulting in smaller red blood cells.
, Iron deficiency prevents the formation of plasma, affecting blood
volume.
Iron deficiency causes an increase in white blood cell count, leading
to anemia.
11. Describe the significance of the diversity of white blood cells in the immune
response.
The diversity of white blood cells allows for a more effective
immune response by enabling the body to recognize and combat a
wide range of pathogens.
The diversity of white blood cells only affects red blood cell
production.
The diversity of white blood cells is irrelevant to the immune
response.
The diversity of white blood cells is primarily for oxygen transport.
12. Which type of blood cell is present in greater quantity, red blood cells or
white blood cells?
Plasma
White blood cells (WBCs)
Platelets
Red blood cells (RBCs)
13. With proper management, patients with sickle cell disease live into their
20s.
50s.
30s.