Chapter 8 Respiration and Circulation – Maharashtra Board Solutions

Chapter 8 Respiration and Circulation

1. Multiple choice questions

Question 1.
The muscular structure that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavity is …………………..
(a) pleura
(b) diaphragm
(c) trachea
(d) epithelium
Answer:
(b) diaphragm

Question 2.
What is the minimum number of plasma membrane that oxygen has to diffuse across to pass from air in the alveolus to haemoglobin inside a R.B.C.?
(a) two
(b) three
(c) four
(d) five
Answer:
(a) two

Question 3.
…………………. is a sound producing organ.
(a) Larynx
(b) Pharynx
(c) Tonsils
(d) Trachea
Answer:
(a) Larynx

Question 4.
The maximum volume of gas that is inhaled during breathing in addition to T.V. is …………………..
(a) residual volume
(b) IRV
(c) GRV.
(d) vital capacity
Answer:
(b) IRV

Question 5.
………………….. muscles contract when the external intercostals muscles contract.
(a) Internal abdominal
(b) Jaw
(c) Muscles in bronchial walls
(d) Diaphragm
Answer:
(d) Diaphragm

Question 6.
Movement of cytoplasm in unicellular organisms is called …………………..
(a) diffusion
(b) cyclosis
(c) circulation
(d) thrombosis
Answer:
(b) cyclosis

Question 7.
Which of the following animals do not have closed circulation?
(a) Earthworm
(b) Rabbit
(c) Butterfly
(d) Shark
Answer:
(c) Butterfly

Question 8.
Diapedesis is performed by …………………..
(a) erythrocytes
(b) thrombocytes
(c) adipocytes
(d) leucocytes
Answer:
(d) leucocytes

Question 9.
Pacemaker of heart is …………………..
(a) SA node
(b) AV node
(c) His bundle
(d) Purkinje fibers
Answer:
(a) SA node

Question 10.
Which of the following is without nucleus?
(a) Red blood corpuscle
(b) Neutrophil
(c) Basophil
(d) Lymphocyte
Answer:
(a) Red blood corpuscle

Question 11.
Cockroach shows which kind of circulatory system?
(a) Open
(b) Closed
(c) Lymphatic
(d) Double
Answer:
(a) Open

Question 12.
Diapedesis can be seen in …………………..
(a) RBC
(b) WBC
(c) Platelet
(d) neuron
Answer:
(b) WBC

Question 13.
Opening of inferior vena cava is guarded by …………………..
(a) bicuspid valve
(b) tricuspid valve
(c) Eustachian valve
(d) Thebesian valve
Answer:
(c) Eustachian valve

Question 14.
…………………. wave in ECG represent atrial depolarization.
(a) P
(b) QRS complex
(c) Q
(d) T
Answer:
(a) P

Question 15.
The fluid seen in the intercellular spaces in Human is …………………..
(a) blood
(b) lymph
(c) interstitial fluid
(d) water
Answer:
(b) lymph

2. Match the columns

Question 1.
Respiratory surface Organism

Answer:

3. Very Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
Why does trachea have ‘C’-shaped rings of cartilage?
Answer:
Trachea is supported by ‘C’-shaped rings of J cartilage which prevent it from collapsing and always keep it open.

Question 2.
Why is respiration in insect called direct respiration?
Answer:
Respiration in insect is called direct because tracheal tubes exchange O₂ and CO₂ directly with the haemocoel which then exchange them with tissues.

Question 3.
Why is gas exchange very rapid at alveolar level?
OR
Why does gas exchange in the alveolar region very rapid?
Answer:
Gas exchange is very rapid at alveolar level because numerous alveoli (about 700 millions) in the lungs provide large surface area for gaseous exchange.

Question 4.
Name the organ which prevents the entry of food into the trachea while eating.
Answer:
Epiglottis prevents the entry of food into trachea while eating.

4. Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
Why is it advantageous to breathe through the nose than through the mouth?
Answer:
Breathing through nose is better than breathing through the mouth because of the following reasons:

The nostrils are smaller than the mouth so air exhaled through the nose creates a backflow of air into the lungs.
As we exhale more slowly through the nose than we do through the mouth, the lungs have more time to extract oxygen from the air that we have already taken in.
The hairs inside nostrils filter any dust particles and microbes in the air and it only lets the clean air pass through.
The air gets warm and humidified in nostrils as it passes into our bodies.
Moreover breathing through the mouth can dry the oral cavity and lead to bad breath, gum disease and tooth decay.

Question 2.
Identity the incorrect statement and correct it.
(a) A respiratory surface area should have a. large surface area.
(b) A respiratory surface area should be kept dry.
(c) A respiratory surface area should be thin, may be 1 mm or less.
Answer:
Statement (a) and statement (c) are correct whereas statement (b) is incorrect. A respiratory surface area should be kept moist, is the correct statement.

Question 3.
Given below are the characteristics of some modified respiratory movement. Identify them.
a. Spasmodic contraction of muscles of expiration and forceful expulsion of air through nose and mouth.
Answer:
Sneezing

b. An inspiration followed by many short convulsive expiration accompanied by facial expression.
Answer:
Laughing, Crying.

Question 4.
Blood plasma.
Answer:

Plasma is a straw coloured, slightly alkaline viscous fluid part of the blood, having 90-92% water and 8-10% soluble proteins.
Serum albumin, serum globulin, heparin, fibrinogen and prothrombin are the plasma proteins which form 7% of the plasma.
Glucose, amino acids, fatty acids and glycerol are the nutrients dissolved in plasma.
Nitrogenous wastes (urea, uric acid, . ammonia and creatinine) and respiratory gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) is present in plasma.
Enzymes and hormones too are transported Ada plasma.
Inorganic minerals are also present in plasma such as bicarbonates, chlorides, phosphates and sulphates of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium.

Question 5.
Blood clotting/Coagulation of blood.
OR
Explain blood clotting in short.
Answer:

The process of converting the liquid blood into a semisolid form is called blood clotting or coagulation.
The process of clotting may be initiated by contact of blood with any foreign surface (intrinsic process) or with damaged tissue (extrinsic process).
Intrinsic and extrinsic processes involve interaction of various substances called clotting factors by a step wise or cascade mechanism.
There are in all twelve clotting factors numbered as I to XII (factor VI is not in active use).
Interaction of these factors in a cascade manner leads to formation of enzyme, Thromboplastin which helps in the formation of enzyme prothrombinase.
Prothrombinase inactivates heparin and also converts inactive prothrombin into active thrombin.
Thrombin converts soluble blood protein- fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin. Fibrin forms a mesh in which platelets and other blood cells are trapped to form the clot.
These reactions occur in 2 to 8 minutes. Therefore, clotting time is said to be 2 to 8 minutes.

Question 6.
Describe pericardium.
Answer:

Pericardium is the double layered peritoneum that encloses the heart. It consists of two layers, viz. fibrous pericardium and serous pericardium.
Fibrous pericardium is the outer layer having tough, inelastic fibrous connective tissue whereas serous pericardium is the v inner double layered membrane. It has in turn an outer parietal layer and inner visceral layer.
Parietal layer of serous pericardium lies on the inner side of fibrous pericardium.
Visceral layer also known as epicardium adheres to heart and thus forms outer covering over the heart.
There is a pericardial fluid in the pericardial space which is present in between the parietal and visceral layers of serous pericardium.

Question 7.
Describe valves in the human heart.
Answer:
Human heart has following main valves:

Tricuspid valve : Tricuspid valve is present between the right atrium and right ventricle. It has three cusps or flaps. It prevents the backflow of blood into right atrium.
Bicuspid valve : Bicuspid valve, also called mitral valve is present between the left atrium and left ventricle. It has two flaps. It prevents the backflow of blood in left atrium. Both tricuspid and bicuspid valves are attached to papillary muscles with tendinous chords or chordate tendinae to prevent valves from turning back into atria at the time of systole.
Semilunar valve : These are present at the opening of pulmonary artery and systemic aorta. They prevent the back flow of blood when ventricles undergo systole.
Thebesian valve : Thebesian valve is present at the opening of coronary sinus.
Eustachian valve : Eustachian valve is present at the opening of inferior vena cava.

Question 8.
What is the role of papillary muscles and chordae tendinae in human heart?
Answer:

Papillary muscles are large and well- developed muscular ridges present along the inner surface of the ventricles.
Bicuspid and tricuspid valves are attached to papillary muscles of ventricles by chordae tendinae.
Chordae tendinae are inelastic fibres present in the lumen of ventricles.
The chordae tendinae prevent the valves from turning back into the atria during the contraction of ventricles and regulate the opening and closing of bicuspid and tricuspid valves.

Question 9.
Explain in brief the factors affecting blood pressure.
Answer:

Cardiac output : Normal cardiac output is 5 lit/min. Increase in cardiac output increases systolic pressure.
Peripheral resistance : Peripheral resistance depends upon the diameter of blood vessels. Decrease in diameter of arterioles and capillaries under the effect of vasopressin cause increase in peripheral resistance and thereby increase in blood pressure.
Blood volume : Loss of blood in accidents decreases blood volume and thus cause decrease in blood pressure.
Viscosity of blood : Blood pressure is directly proportional to viscosity of blood.
Age : Blood pressure increases with age due to increase in inelasticity of blood vessels.
Venous return : Amount of blood brought to the heart via the veins per unit time is called the venous return and it is directly proportional to blood pressure.
Length and diameter of blood vessels : Blood pressure is directly proportional to the total length of the blood vessel. Blood pressure can also be affected by vasoconstriction or vasodilation.
Gender : Females have slightly lower BP than males of her age before menopause. However, the risk of high B. P increases in the females after menopause sets in.

5. Give Scientific Reason

Question 1.
Closed circulation is more efficient than open circulation.
Answer:

Closed circulation considerably enhances the speed, precision and efficiency of circulation.
The blood flows more rapidly, it takes less time to circulate through the closed system and return to the heart.
This fastens the supply and removed of materials to and from the tissues by the blood as compared to open circulation.
In open circulation, there are no blood vessels such as arteries or veins, to pump the blood.
Therefore, the blood pressure is very low.
Organisms with an open circulatory system typically have a relatively high volume of hemolymph and low blood pressure. Closed circulation is thus more efficient than open circulation.

Question 2.
Human heart is called as myogenic and autorhythmic?
Answer:

The heart shows auto rhythmicity because the impulse for its rhythmic movement develops inside the heart. Such heart is called myogenic.
Some of the cardiac muscle fibres become auto rhythmic (self-excitable) and start generating impulse during development.
These autorhythmic fibres perform two important function, viz. acting as a pacemaker and setting the rhythm for heart.
They also form conducting system for conduction of nerve impulses throughout the heart muscles.

Question 3.
In human heart, the blood flows only in one direction.
Answer:

In veins there are valves, which prevent the back flow of the blood.
In arteries, blood flows with unidirectional pressure.
Hence the circulation takes place only in one direction.

Question 4.
Arteries are thicker than veins.
Answer:

Arteries have relatively thick walls to enable them to withstand the high pressure of blood ejected from the heart.
Arteries expand when the pressure increases as the heart pushes blood out but then recoil (shrink) Wn the pressure decreases when the heart relaxes between heartbeats.
This expansion and recoiling occurs to maintain a smooth blood flow.
Veins, on the other hand, have thinner walls and larger lumen veins have no need for thick walls as then need not have to withstand high pressure like arteries.
Moreover, as veins transport relatively low pressure blood, they are commonly equipped with valves to promote the unidirectional flow of blood towards the heart.

Question 5.
Left ventricle is thick than all other chambers of heart.
OR
Left ventricle has thicker wall than the right ventricle.
Answer:

Left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to all parts of the body. Therefore, there is greater pressure from the blood in left ventricle.
Right ventricle sends deoxygenated blood to lungs for oxygenation. This does not put more pressure and lungs are in vicinity of the heart.
Due to these functional differences between the two ventricles, left ventricle has thicker wall than that of the right ventricle.

6. Distinguish Between

Question 1.
Open circulation and Closed circulation
Answer:

Question 2.
Arteries and veins.
Answer:

Question 3.
Blood and Lymph.
Answer:

Question 4.
Blood capillary and Lymph capillary.
Answer:

Question 5.
Intrinsic and Extrinsic process of clotting.
Answer:

7. Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
Smita was working in a garage with the doors closed and automobiles engine running. After some time she felt breathless and fainted. What would be the reason? How can she be treated
OR
While working with the car engine in a closed garage, John suddenly felt dizzy and fainted what is the possible reason?
Answer:

As Smita and John were working with the car engine running in a closed garage, they must be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly toxic gas produced when fuels burn incompletely from automobile engines.
Because of strong affinity of haemoglobin with carbon monoxide, it readily combines with carbon monoxide to from a stable compound, carboxyhaemoglobin. Thus, less haemoglobin is available for oxygen transport depriving the cells of oxygen.
Exposure to carbon monoxide can usually leads to throbbing headache, drowsiness, breathlessness and often person gets fainted. In extreme cases carbon monoxide poisoning usually leads to unconsciousness, convulsions, cardiovascular failure, coma and eventually death.

The breathless persons can be treated by following method:

Oxygen treatment : The best way to treat carbon monoxide poisoning is to breathe in pure oxygen (high-dose oxygen treatment)
Oxygen chamber : Doctor may temporarily place her in a pressurized oxygen chamber (also known as a hyperbaric oxygen chamber)

Question 2.
Shreyas went to a garden on a wintry morning. When he came back, he found it difficult to breath and stated wheezing. What could be the possible condition and how can he be treated?
Answer:
(1) It indicates that Shreyas might be suffering from allergic reactions. He may have come in contact with allergens such as pollen, dust, pet dander or other environmental substances on his way in the garden. Or Shreyas may be already a patient of Asthma and his symptoms may have aggrevated due to wintry climate.

(2) If a person is allergic to a substance, such as pollen, his immune system reacts to the substance as if it was foreign and harmful, and tries to destroy it.

(3) The body reacts to these allergens by making and releasing substances known as IgE antibodies. These IgE antibodies attach to most cells in the body which release histamine. Histamine is the main substance responsible for pollen allergy symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, wheezing, sneezing, itchy throat, etc.

(4) Treatment : There are several drugs to treat the allergic reactions:

Antihistamines such as cetirizine or diphenhydramine.
Decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine or oxymetazoline.
Medications that combine an antihistamine and decongestant such as Actifed and Claritin-D.

Question 3.
Why can you feel a pulse when you keep a finger on the wrist or neck but not when you keep them on a vein?
Answer:
(1) When the heart contracts, it creates pressure that pushes blood out of heart. This pressure acts like a wave. This “wave” of pressure is the pulse you feel. But this pressure is not constant.

(2) When the heart pumps the blood out of it at the time of systole, there is maximum pressure in the arteries. This pressure weakens considerably when it reaches capillaries, and so the veins which are away from the heart are under less pressure. Due to low pressure veins have valves to prevent backflow of blood.

(3) The pressure in the arteries can be felt every time the heart beats, especially in arteries which come to surface of the body like that of the wrist and neck but not in veins.

(4) The pressure in veins is always weaker than in arteries, resulting in a weaker pulse to the point that it is undetectable by touch
alone.

(5) Owing to this, when we keep finger on the arteries of wrist or neck, we feel a pulse but not when we keep it on a vein.

Question 4.
A man’s pulse rate is 68 and cardiac output is 5500 cm3. Find the stroke volume.
Answer:
Cardiac output is the volume of blood pumped out per min for a normal adult human being it is calculated as follows:
Cardiac output = Heart rate × Stroke volume
Given : Cardiac output = 5500 cm³
Pulse rate = Heart rate = 68
By using these values stroke volume of is calculated as follows:
∴ Cardiac output = Heart rate × Stroke volume
∴ Stroke volume = Cardiac output/Heart rate
= 5500/68
= Approx. 80. ∴ Stroke volume is 80 ml.

Question 5.
Which blood vessel leaving from the heart will have the maximum content of oxygen and why?
Answer:

The Aorta leaving the heart from left ventricle carry the maximum content of oxygen.
Deoxygenated blood becomes oxygenated in the pulmonary capillaries surrounding the alveoli of lungs. The oxygenated blood from lungs is collected by the four pulmonary veins.
These pulmonary veins carry that oxygenated blood to left atrium of heart. During atrial systole that blood is carried to left ventricle.
Left ventricle then pumps that oxygenated blood to Aorta during ventricular systole. Therefore, aorta has the maximum content of oxygen.

Question 6.
If the duration of the atrial ‘systole is 0.1 second and that of complete diastole is 0.4 second, then how does one cardiac cycle complete in 0.8 second?
Answer:

The time duration required to complete one cardiac cycle is 0.8 second.
Cardiac cycle is divided into three important phases, viz, atrial systole, ventricular systole and joint diastole.
Atrial systole in normal condition lasts for 0.1 second, ventricular systole follows atrial systole and lasts for 0.3 second whereas joint diastole or complete diastole lasts for about 0.4 second.
In this way one cardiac cycle is completed in 0.8 second.

Question 7.
How is blood kept moving in the large veins of the legs?
Answer:
1. When heart undergoes systole, it pushes the blood with pressure in aorta. This pressure moves the entire circulation of the blood throughout the body. Aorta gives rise to dorsal aorta after supplying to upper parts of body. Then it divides into two arteries which enter two legs. The blood is forced to move in the legs due to blood pressure and also aided by gravity.

2. In addition, the muscles in legs help transport blood back to our heart. As the muscles of our body contract and relax to move our limbs, they squeeze the blood in veins and the blood is then pushed towards the heart.

3. The veins in legs also have valves to keep this process going and prevent blood from flowing back down towards the feet.

4. In this way blood is kept moving in the large veins of the legs.

Question 8.
Describe histological structure of artery, vein and capillary.

Answer:
Histological structure of artery and vein.

Artery is a thick walled blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood. (Exception is pulmonary artery which carries deoxygenated blood from heart to lungs for oxygenation.)
All the arteries arise from heart and carry blood away from the heart.
Each artery is made up of three layers, viz. tunica externa, tunica media and tunica interna.
Tunica externa or adventitia is the thickest layer of all. It is the outermost coat made up of connective tissue with elastic and collagen fibres.
Tunica media is the middle coat made up of smooth muscle fibres and elastic fibres. It withstands high blood pressure during ventricular systole. It is also thick.
Tunica interna or intima is the innermost coat made of endothelium and elastic layer.

Histology of Capillaries:

Capillaries are the smallest and thinnest blood vessels. Capillaries are formed by the division and re-division of the arterioles.
The wall of the capillary is made up of endothelium or squamous epithelium.
The capillary wall is permeable to water and dissolved substances.
Exchange of respiratory gases, nutrients, excretory products, etc. takes place through the capillary wall.
Capillaries unite to form venules.

Question 9.
What is blood pressure? How is it measured? Explain factors affecting blood pressure.
Answer:
1. Blood pressure:

The pressure exerted by blood on the wall of the blood vessels is called blood pressure. Pressure exerted by blood on the wall of arterial wall is arterial blood pressure. Blood pressure is described in two terms viz. systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure.
Systolic blood pressure is the pressure exerted on arterial wall during ventricular contraction (systole). For a normal healthy adult the average value is 120 mmHg.
Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure on arterial wall during ventricular relaxation (diastole). For a normal healthy adult it is 80 mmHg.
B. E = SP/DP = 120/80 mmHg. Blood pressure is normally written as 120/80 mmHg. Difference between systolic and diastolic pressure is called pulse pressure normally, it is 40 mmHg.

2. Measurement of blood pressure:

Blood pressure is measured with the help of an instrument called sphygmomanometer.
The instrument consists of inflatable rubber bag cuff covered by a cotton cloth. It is connected with the help of tubes to a mercury manometer on one side and a rubber bulb on the other side.
During measurement, the person is asked to lie in a sleeping position. The instrument is placed at the level of heart and the cuff is tightly wrapped around upper arm.
The cuff is inflated till the brachial artery is blocked due to external pressure. Then pressure in the cuff is slowly lowered till the first pulsatile sound is produced. At this moment, pressure indicated in manometer is systolic pressure. Sounds heard during this measurement of blood pressure are called as Korotkoff sounds.
Pressure in the cuff is further lowered till any pulsatile sound cannot be heard due to smooth blood flow. At this moment, pressure indicated in manometer is diastolic pressure an optimal blood pressure (normal) level reads 120/80 mmHg.

3. Factors affecting blood pressure:

Cardiac output : Normal cardiac output is 5 lit/min. Increase in cardiac output increases systolic pressure.
Peripheral resistance : Peripheral resistance depends upon the diameter of blood vessels. Decrease in diameter of arterioles and capillaries under the effect of vasopressin cause increase in peripheral resistance and thereby increase in blood pressure.
Blood volume : Loss of blood in accidents decreases blood volume and thus cause decrease in blood pressure.
Viscosity of blood : Blood pressure is directly proportional to viscosity of blood.
Age : Blood pressure increases with age due to increase in inelasticity of blood vessels.
Venous return : Amount of blood brought to the heart via the veins per unit time is called the venous return and it is directly proportional to blood pressure.
Length and diameter of blood vessels : Blood pressure is directly proportional to the total length of the blood vessel. Blood pressure can also be affected by vasoconstriction or vasodilation.
Gender : Females have slightly lower BP than males of her age before menopause. However, the risk of high B. P increases in the females after menopause sets in.

Question 10.
Describe human blood and give its functions.
Answer:
Blood Composition:

Blood is a red coloured fluid connective tissue derived from embryonic mesoderm.
It has two components – the fluid plasma (55%) and the formed elements i.e. blood cells (44%).
Plasma is a straw coloured, slightly alkaline and viscous fluid having 90% water and 10% solutes such as proteins, nutrients, nitrogenous wastes, salts, hormones, etc.
Blood corpuscles are of three types, viz. erythrocytes (RBCs), white blood corpuscles (WBCs) and thrombocytes (platelets).

(5) Red blood corpuscles or Erythrocytes:

Erythrocytes or red blood corpuscles. They are circular, biconcave, enucleated cells.
The RBC size : 7 pm in diameter and 2.5 pm in thickness.
The RBC count : 5.1 to 5.8 million RBCs/ cu mm of blood in an adult male and 4.3 to 5.2 million/cu mm in an adult female.
The average life span of RBC : 120 days.
RBCs are formed by the process of erythropoiesis. In foetus, RBC formation takes place in liver and spleen whereas in adults it occurs in red bone marrow.
The old and worn out RBCs are destroyed in liver and spleen.
Polycythemia is an increase in number of RBCs while erythrocytopenia is decrease in their (RBCs) number.

Functions of RBCs:

Transport of oxygen from lungs to tissues and carbon dioxide from tissues to lungs with the help of haemoglobin.
Maintenance of blood pH as haemoglobin acts as a buffer.
Maintenance of the viscosity of blood.

(6) White blood corpuscles / Leucocytes:

1. Leucocytes or White Blood Corpuscles (WBCs) are colourless, nucleated, amoeboid and phagocytic cells.

2. Their size ranges between 8 to 15 pm. Total WBC count is 5000 to 9000 WBCs/cu mm of blood. The average life span of a WBC is about 3 to 4 days.

3. They are formed by leucopoiesis in red bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils, thymus and Payer’s patches, whereas the dead WBCs are destroyed by phagocytosis in blood, liver and lymph nodes.

4. Leucocytes are mainly divided into two types, viz., granulocytes and agranulocytes.

5. Granulocytes : Granulocytes are cells with granular cytoplasm and lobed nucleus. Based on their staining properties and shape of nucleus, they are of three types, viz. neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils.

(I) Neutrophils:

In neutrophils, the cytoplasmic granules take up neutral stains.
Their nucleus is three to five lobed.
It may undergo changes in structure hence they are called polymorphonuclear leucocytes or polymorphs.
Neutrophils are about 70% of total WBCs.
They are phagocytic in function and engulf microorganisms.

(II) Eosinophils or acidophils:

Cytoplasmic granules of eosinophils take up acidic dyes such as eosin. They have bilobed nucleus.
Eosinophils are about 3% of total WBCs.
They are non-phagocytic in nature.
Their number increases (i.e. eosinophilia) during allergic conditions.
They have antihistamine property.

(III) Basophils:

The cytoplasmic granules of basophils take up basic stains such as methylene blue.
They have twisted nucleus.
In size, they are smallest and constitute about 0.5% of total WBCs.
They too are non-phagocytic.
Their function is to release heparin which acts as an anticoagulant and histamine that is involved in inflammatory and allergic reaction.

6. Agranulocytes : There are two types of agranulocytes, viz. monocytes and lymphocytes. Agranulocytes do not show cytoplasmic granules and their nucleus is not lobed. They are of two types, viz. lymphocytes and monocytes.
(I) Lymphocytes:

Agranulocytes with a large round nucleus are called lymphocyte.
They are about 30% of total WBCs.
Agranulocytes are responsible for immune response of the body by producing antibodies.

(II) Monocytes:

Largest of all WBCs having large kidney shaped nucleus are monocytes. They are about 5% of total WBCs.
They are phagocytic in function.
They can differentiate into macrophages for engulfing microorganisms and removing cell debris. Hence they are also called scavengers.
At the site of infections they are seen in more enlarged form.

(7) Thrombocytes/Platelets:

Thrombocytes or platelets are non- nucleated, round and biconvex blood corpuscles.
They are smallest corpuscles measuring about 2.5 to 5 mm in diameter with a count of about 2.5 lakhs/cu mm of blood.
Their life span is about 5 to 10 days.
Thrombocytes are formed from megakaryocytes of bone marrow. They break from these cells as fragments during the process of thrombopoiesis.
Thrombocytosis is the increase in platelet count while thrombocytopenia is decrease in platelet count.
Thrombocytes possess thromboplastin which helps in clotting of blood.
Therefore, at the site of injury platelets aggregate and form a platelet plug. Here they release thromboplastin due to which further blood clotting reactions take place.

(8) Functions of blood:

Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Transport of food
Transport of waste product
Transport of hormones
Maintenance of pH
Water balance
Transport of heat
Defence against infection
Temperature regulation
Blood clotting/coagulation
Helps in healing