How are red blood cells adapted to their oxygen-carrying function?
Explain why it is difficult to find white blood cells under a high-power microscope.
To facilitate the transport of oxygen from red blood cells to tissue cells, what is the optimal diameter of capillaries? Explain.
(Hint: Oxygen must first leave hemoglobin, diffuse out of the red blood cell, then through the plasma, across the capillary wall, into the interstitial fluid, and finally reach the tissue cells.)
After donating blood, approximately 300-400 ml of blood (about 1/20 to 1/25 of the total blood volume) is lost. Does this have any effect on the body? Explain.
People living at high altitudes have a higher number of red blood cells in their blood. Explain the significance of this.
If a person living at sea level stays at high altitude for an extended period (e.g., one month), how will the number of red blood cells in their blood change? What will happen if they then return to sea level?
Why are athletes (e.g., football players) more likely to experience breathlessness when suddenly competing at high altitudes?
After donating blood, the Red Cross advises donors to wait 4 months before donating again. What is the reasoning behind this?
If someone's blood type is urgently needed, they may be advised to donate blood again after just one month. What is the reasoning behind this? Wouldn't this harm the donor?
When donating bone marrow, from which part of the body is it likely extracted? Explain.
What color is the extracted bone marrow? Explain.
In leukemia patients, white blood cells are problematic, and it is necessary to replace all of them. Why is someone else's bone marrow replaced instead of their blood (which also contains white blood cells)?
Is it possible for someone to have two different sets of DNA? (Hint: The DNA tested from blood cells may differ from that tested from other somatic cells.)