The Red River of Life Trivia Quiz

Answer: Transport of bile from the gall bladder to the small intestine.

Blood transports dissolved gases, nutrients, enzymes, hormones, waste products of metabolism, plasma proteins and various cells. White blood cells help to protect us from infection.
Transport of bile from the gall bladder to the intestine is NOT a function of blood. Bile is transported to the duodenum (upper part of the small intestine) via the common bile duct. This duct is formed by the cystic duct which drains the gall bladder and the common hepatic duct which drains the liver.

Answer: Dark green leafy vegetables

Dark green leafy vegetables contain vitamin K, hence facilitate clotting instead of 'thinning' of the blood.
On the other hand, certain foods are very high in salicylates - an aspirin like substance which causes thinning of the blood. These foods include ginger, thyme, strawberries, cranberries, black pepper, curry powder, dill and many others.

Answer: Slightly alkaline

The normal pH of arterial blood is 7.4. In venous blood it's a bit lower at 7.35. In either case, blood is slightly alkaline. Several things can affect the pH of blood. These include kidney function, lung function, endocrine function and conditions which result in excessive vomiting or diarrhea.

Answer: Edema/swelling

Albumin is a major plasma protein. Apart from maintaining osmotic pressure in the blood stream, albumin serves as a carrier protein, transporting hormones, electrolytes, bilirubin etc. Low albumin levels can be due to malnutrition or liver disease since albumin is manufactured by the liver.

A person with hypoalbuminemia will among other things develop anasarca which is generalised edema/swelling.

Answer: Mature red blood cells have small central nuclei.

During the process of erythropoiesis (red blood cell production), each cell has a central nucleus. As the cells mature however, the nuclei are removed, leaving enucleated, biconcave discs. These are the mature red cells. The shape provides a larger surface area for gaseous exchange. In addition, the cells are more flexible, allowing them to navigate the tiniest blood vessels.

Answer: The blood is bright red and flows in a pulsating manner.

Under normal circumstances, arterial blood is bright red due to its higher oxygen content. Venous blood is usually dark red due to its reduced oxygen content. The pulmonary system is the exception. Because arteries generally take blood away from the heart, a severed artery will allow bright red blood to flow out in spurts, corresponding with the contractions of the heart. Venous blood oozes out evenly.

Answer: aorta

The aorta is the largest artery in the body. It's the 'trunk' of the arterial stream. Arising from the exit of the left ventricle, the aorta runs upwards as the ascending aorta which gives off right and left coronary branches supplying the heart itself with blood.

The vessel then meanders to form the arch of the aorta. Three tributaries flows from the aortic arch; the brachiocephalic artery (which divides into right subclavian artery and right common carotid artery), the left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery.

The aortic arch becomes continuous with the descending aorta which courses through the core of the body, first as the thoracic aorta then the abdominal aorta giving off branches to various organs and structures before it divides to form the internal iliac arteries.

Answer: A capillary bed

Blood leaves the heart (rich in oxygen and nutrients) via the main artery in the body, the aorta. The aorta branches to form smaller and smaller arteries until the smallest branches, the arterioles, are formed. These arterioles supply the capillaries with blood. Capillaries are the tiniest blood vessels.

They branch to form a network around the body cells. From the arteriole end of the capillary beds, cells are supplied with oxygen and nutrients. Excess water and waste from cellular metabolism returns to the circulation at the venule end of he capillary beds. Venules unite to form small veins and these in turn unite to form larger veins. Eventually, two large veins - the inferior and superior vena cava return venous blood to the heart.

Answer: circle of Willis

Brain cells need a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients contained in blood in order to survive. Brain cells begin to die within 5 minutes of oxygen deprivation.
Named after Thomas Willis, an English physician, the Circle of Willis is a group of arteries located at he base of the brain. These arteries are arranged in such a manner that if one artery, for some reason is unable to function, another artery can help to supply the deprived tissue with blood.

Answer: TRUE

Blood donation is a sure way of becoming involved in saving lives. Blood is used daily during surgical operations. A person undergoing open heart surgery for example, may need 6 units of blood and certain accident victims may need in excess of 20 units of blood.
One unit of blood can be divided into three components, that is, red blood cells, platelets and plasma.
Red cells once donated must be used within 42 days. Platelets can be kept for 5 days whereas plasma can be frozen and kept for one year.
Plasma can be further broken down into its component parts to supply specific clotting factors etc based on the needs of the recipient.