Introduction: Understanding the composition and functions of blood is essential for B. Pharm students, linking physiology to pharmacology and clinical practice. This overview covers plasma components (water, electrolytes, plasma proteins like albumin, globulins, fibrinogen), formed elements (erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets), hematopoiesis, oxygen and carbon dioxide transport, coagulation, immune roles, and key laboratory parameters (hematocrit, hemoglobin, MCV, ESR). It also highlights pharmacokinetic implications such as plasma protein binding and drug distribution. Mastery of these concepts supports safe drug therapy, transfusion decisions, and interpretation of blood tests. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which plasma protein is primarily responsible for maintaining colloid oncotic pressure and binding many drugs?
- Fibrinogen
- Albumin
- Gamma globulin
- Transferrin
Correct Answer: Albumin
Q2. Which formed element is the principal cell responsible for oxygen transport in blood?
- Neutrophil
- Platelet
- Erythrocyte
- Monocyte
Correct Answer: Erythrocyte
Q3. Hemoglobin’s oxygen-binding affinity is decreased by which condition (right shift of the O2 dissociation curve)?
- Increased pH
- Decreased temperature
- Increased 2,3-BPG
- Decreased PCO2
Correct Answer: Increased 2,3-BPG
Q4. Which cell type is primarily involved in humoral immunity and antibody production?
- B lymphocyte
- Neutrophil
- Platelet
- Erythrocyte
Correct Answer: B lymphocyte
Q5. Erythropoietin (EPO) is mainly produced by which organ to regulate red blood cell production?
- Liver
- Kidney
- Spleen
- Bone marrow
Correct Answer: Kidney
Q6. Which plasma electrolyte is the major extracellular cation important for membrane potential and fluid balance?
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Sodium
- Magnesium
Correct Answer: Sodium
Q7. The hematocrit measures which of the following?
- Percentage of blood composed of plasma proteins
- Percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells
- Absolute number of leukocytes per microliter
- Concentration of hemoglobin per red cell
Correct Answer: Percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells
Q8. Which clotting factor is converted to fibrin by thrombin during the final common pathway of coagulation?
- Prothrombin
- Fibrinogen
- Factor VIII
- Plasminogen
Correct Answer: Fibrinogen
Q9. Which white blood cell is most abundant in a normal adult differential count and is the first responder in bacterial infections?
- Lymphocyte
- Neutrophil
- Eosinophil
- Basophil
Correct Answer: Neutrophil
Q10. Albumin binding of drugs primarily affects which pharmacokinetic parameter?
- Intrinsic clearance only
- Volume of distribution and free drug concentration
- Absorption rate in the gut exclusively
- Renal glomerular filtration barrier integrity
Correct Answer: Volume of distribution and free drug concentration
Q11. Which test is most useful for monitoring warfarin therapy and extrinsic coagulation pathway function?
- aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time)
- Bleeding time
- Prothrombin time (PT) / INR
- Platelet count
Correct Answer: Prothrombin time (PT) / INR
Q12. An increase in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) typically indicates which type of anemia?
- Iron-deficiency anemia
- Microcytic anemia
- Macrocytic anemia (e.g., B12 deficiency)
- Hemolytic anemia with normal MCV
Correct Answer: Macrocytic anemia (e.g., B12 deficiency)
Q13. Which plasma component carries most of the CO2 transported from tissues to lungs?
- Dissolved CO2 in plasma
- Carbaminohemoglobin on hemoglobin
- Bicarbonate (HCO3-) formed in red cells and transported in plasma
- Bound to plasma albumin
Correct Answer: Bicarbonate (HCO3-) formed in red cells and transported in plasma
Q14. Platelet adhesion to exposed collagen at a vascular injury is primarily mediated by which plasma protein?
- Thrombin
- Von Willebrand factor (vWF)
- Fibrinogen
- Albumin
Correct Answer: Von Willebrand factor (vWF)
Q15. Which blood group antigen compatibility is most critical to avoid hemolytic transfusion reactions?
- ABO and Rh(D)
- Lewis antigen only
- Kell antigen only
- Minor blood group antigens only
Correct Answer: ABO and Rh(D)
Q16. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a nonspecific marker increased mainly by which blood component change?
- Decreased fibrinogen
- Increased plasma proteins (e.g., fibrinogen, immunoglobulins)
- Low hematocrit only
- Decreased albumin concentration exclusively
Correct Answer: Increased plasma proteins (e.g., fibrinogen, immunoglobulins)
Q17. Which leukocyte is primarily involved in allergic reactions and defense against parasites?
- Eosinophil
- Neutrophil
- Monocyte
- Lymphocyte
Correct Answer: Eosinophil
Q18. Which laboratory value best estimates the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood?
- Hematocrit
- Serum ferritin
- Hemoglobin concentration
- MCV
Correct Answer: Hemoglobin concentration
Q19. The intrinsic coagulation pathway is primarily assessed by which test?
- PT/INR
- Platelet function assay
- aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time)
- Bleeding time
Correct Answer: aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time)
Q20. Which plasma protein is the precursor of plasmin and involved in fibrinolysis?
- Plasminogen
- Prothrombin
- Fibrinogen
- Albumin
Correct Answer: Plasminogen
Q21. Which cell type matures in the bone marrow and is the precursor of circulating platelets?
- Megakaryocyte
- Myeloblast
- Erythroblast
- Lymphoblast
Correct Answer: Megakaryocyte
Q22. Which ion is essential for multiple steps in the coagulation cascade and is a cofactor for several clotting factors?
- Potassium
- Calcium (Ca2+)
- Sodium
- Chloride
Correct Answer: Calcium (Ca2+)
Q23. In hemolytic anemia, which laboratory finding is commonly elevated?
- Haptoglobin levels
- Indirect (unconjugated) bilirubin
- Serum albumin
- Plasma fibrinogen
Correct Answer: Indirect (unconjugated) bilirubin
Q24. Which molecule produced by red blood cells catalyzes conversion of CO2 to bicarbonate to facilitate CO2 transport?
- Hemoglobin
- Carbonic anhydrase
- Cytochrome oxidase
- Myoglobin
Correct Answer: Carbonic anhydrase
Q25. Which white cell count increase (left shift) indicates acute bacterial infection?
- Increased lymphocytes only
- Increased neutrophils with band forms
- Isolated eosinophilia
- Decreased total leukocyte count
Correct Answer: Increased neutrophils with band forms
Q26. Which parameter describes the average hemoglobin amount per red blood cell?
- MCV (mean corpuscular volume)
- MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin)
- RDW (red cell distribution width)
- Plateletcrit
Correct Answer: MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin)
Q27. Which condition results from an antibody-mediated destruction of red cells due to incompatible transfusion?
- Aplastic anemia
- Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction
- Iron-deficiency anemia
- Folate deficiency anemia
Correct Answer: Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction
Q28. Which plasma protein class includes immunoglobulins that participate in opsonization and complement activation?
- Albumins
- Globulins (gamma globulins)
- Fibrinogens
- Transferrins
Correct Answer: Globulins (gamma globulins)
Q29. Blood viscosity is primarily affected by which factor?
- Platelet count only
- Hematocrit (red cell concentration)
- Plasma glucose concentration
- Serum bilirubin level
Correct Answer: Hematocrit (red cell concentration)
Q30. Thrombopoietin primarily regulates the production of which blood component?
- Erythrocytes
- Platelets
- Neutrophils
- Lymphocytes
Correct Answer: Platelets
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
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