Textbook Question
Explain how blood, being a liquid, enables all its components (formed elements and plasma) to perform their functions.
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Ch. 19 Blood
Amerman3rd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780138247201, 9780138247928, 9780138201814
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology24
- Ch. 2 The Chemistry of Life37
- Ch. 3 The Cell54
- Ch. 4 Histology46
- Ch. 5 The Integumentary System30
- Ch. 6 Bones and Bone Tissue36
- Ch. 7 The Skeletal System40
- Ch. 8 Articulations19
- Ch. 9 The Muscular System35
- Ch. 10 Muscle Tissue and Physiology29
- Ch. 11 Introduction to the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue28
- Ch. 12 The Central Nervous System41
- Ch. 13 The Peripheral Nervous System41
- Ch. 14 The Autonomic Nervous System and Homeostasis31
- Ch. 15 The Special Senses39
- Ch. 16 The Endocrine System42
- Ch. 17 The Cardiovascular System I: The Heart28
- Ch. 18 The Cardiovascular System II: The Blood Vessels43
- Ch. 19 Blood32
- Ch. 20 The Lymphatic System and Immunity41
- Ch. 21 The Respiratory System27
- Ch. 22 The Digestive System27
- Ch. 23 Metabolism and Nutrition7
- Ch. 24 The Urinary System39
- Ch. 25 Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Homeostasis39
- Ch. 26 The Reproductive System10
- Ch. 27 Development and Heredity5
Amerman3rd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780138247201, 9780138247928, 9780138201814Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 19, Problem L2.4
Cirrhosis of the liver often reduces production of many types of plasma proteins, including albumin and clotting factors. Predict the effects on the body of decreased numbers of these proteins in the plasma. Would this also affect the number of γ-globulins in the plasma? Why or why not?
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Understand the role of albumin in the plasma: Albumin is a major plasma protein responsible for maintaining oncotic pressure (the pressure that helps retain water in the blood vessels). A decrease in albumin production due to cirrhosis can lead to reduced oncotic pressure, causing fluid to leak into the interstitial spaces and resulting in edema (swelling).
Examine the role of clotting factors: Clotting factors are essential for blood coagulation. A reduction in their production can impair the blood's ability to clot, leading to an increased risk of bleeding and difficulty stopping hemorrhages.
Analyze the role of γ-globulins: γ-globulins (immunoglobulins) are primarily produced by plasma cells, not the liver. Therefore, cirrhosis of the liver would not directly affect the production of γ-globulins. However, the overall immune response might be compromised due to other systemic effects of liver dysfunction.
Predict the systemic effects of reduced plasma proteins: Reduced plasma proteins can lead to complications such as ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity), increased susceptibility to infections, and impaired wound healing due to poor clotting ability.
Explain why γ-globulins are unaffected: Since γ-globulins are produced by plasma cells in the immune system rather than the liver, their levels in the plasma are not directly impacted by cirrhosis. However, liver dysfunction may indirectly affect immune function, which could influence γ-globulin activity or effectiveness.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Cirrhosis and Liver Function
Cirrhosis is a progressive liver disease characterized by the replacement of healthy liver tissue with scar tissue, impairing liver function. The liver is crucial for synthesizing various plasma proteins, including albumin and clotting factors. As cirrhosis advances, the liver's ability to produce these proteins diminishes, leading to significant physiological consequences.
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Role of Albumin
Albumin is the most abundant plasma protein, playing a vital role in maintaining oncotic pressure, which helps keep fluid within the blood vessels. A decrease in albumin levels due to liver dysfunction can lead to edema and ascites, as fluid leaks into surrounding tissues. Additionally, low albumin levels can affect the transport of various substances in the blood, including hormones and drugs.
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Clotting Factors and Hemostasis
Clotting factors are proteins essential for blood coagulation, preventing excessive bleeding. The liver produces most of these factors, and a reduction in their levels due to cirrhosis can lead to coagulopathy, increasing the risk of bleeding and bruising. While γ-globulins are primarily produced by plasma cells and not the liver, the overall immune response may be affected by liver dysfunction, potentially altering their levels indirectly.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Predict how abnormal hemoglobin proteins that contain only two iron ions, instead of four, would affect homeostasis.
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Textbook Question
The anticoagulant drug warfarin primarily disrupts the extrinsic/tissue factor coagulation pathway. Explain why disrupting only this pathway disrupts the entire coagulation cascade.
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Textbook Question
Which of the following plasma proteins is responsible for osmotic pressure?
a. γ-Globulins
b. Albumin
c. α-Globulins
d. Clotting proteins
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Textbook Question
Which of the following is not a formed element of blood?
a. Erythrocyte
b. Leukocyte
c. Mast cell
d. Platelet
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