Read Blood by Protein and Cell Function
Blood questions often connect a cell’s structure with its function and a plasma protein with its physical effect.
Living-system questions are solved by matching a structure or organism to its function, process and stated condition.
Connect structure and function
Albumin maintains most colloid osmotic pressure. Mature red cells lack nuclei and mitochondria, leaving room for haemoglobin and forcing anaerobic glucose metabolism. The spleen removes aged red cells, stores blood and contributes to fetal blood formation.
Recognise leukocytes
Neutrophils are multilobed phagocytes; eosinophils help defend against parasites and participate in allergy; B cells support antibody-mediated immunity; T cells mediate cellular immunity. Diapedesis is leukocyte movement through vessel walls.
Explain rouleaux before interpreting ESR
RBCs normally repel because their surfaces are negatively charged. Positively charged acute-phase plasma proteins reduce that repulsion, allowing rouleaux stacks to form and settle faster. A high ESR therefore reflects reduced electrostatic separation, not cells becoming more negatively charged. Choose B.
OlympIQ exam lens
- ✓Albumin → oncotic pressure.
- ✓Mature RBC: no nucleus/mitochondria; anaerobic glycolysis.
- ✓Eosinophil → parasite defence and allergy.
- ✓B cell → antibody; T cell → cellular immunity.
- ✓Positive plasma proteins can reduce RBC repulsion and raise ESR.
Serum is plasma after clotting; it lacks fibrinogen.
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