Blood Unit – Exam Review Guide
- Know the bicarbonate buffer system as an example: (i.e. H2CO3 is a weak acid that can buffer a
strong base and HCO2 is a weak base that can buffer a strong acid)
- Know the basics of what buffers do (Weak acids buffer bases and become weak bases, Weak
bases buffer acids and become weak acids; replaces a large change in pH with only a small
change in pH).
- Differentiate between plasma and formed elements and list substances found in each
- Know what erythropoietin does
- What is the relationship between megakaryocytes and platelets?
- What is hemostasis? List the three main steps.
- Define embolus and thrombus
- What is the name for a substance that stimulates the immune system to release antibodies?
- Know the definition of agglutination (i.e. the process whereby the binding of antibodies to
antigens causes RBCs to clump).
- Know the basics of blood typing:
- blood types named by the antigens present
- absence of antigen means the presence of an antibody
- in a transfusion RABs attack DANs (recipient antibodies will attack donor antigens).
- What blood type is the universal donor? What blood type is the universal recipient?
- How do you indicate the presence or absence of the Rh- antigen when you write out the
blood type? (ex: A- means that the blood cell has A antigens, B antibodies, and possibly
Rh antibodies depending on whether or not the person has been exposed to Rh+ blood).
- Define osmosis
- Define diapedesis
Not to concentrate on as much:
- different types of WBCs
- lots of details with hemostasis – know the 5 basic steps
- blood doping