Blood, clotting and atherosclerosisEdexcel A-Level Biology B: Mind map

Exam questions on Blood, clotting and atherosclerosis

1. A blood film from a patient with a bacterial infection shows a raised number of white blood cells. Many of these cells have a nucleus divided into several lobes and granules in the cytoplasm. The film also contains large numbers of red blood cells and small cell fragments.
   Explain how the neutrophils help to defend the patient against the bacterial infection.2 marks
2. A man has a rare inherited condition in which his liver cannot make prothrombin. His platelet count and the concentration of fibrinogen in his plasma are normal. When he cuts himself, the bleeding continues for much longer than normal.
   Explain why the man's bleeding continues for much longer than normal.2 marks
3. A 58-year-old man smokes 20 cigarettes a day, eats a diet high in saturated fat and has high blood pressure. A scan shows that one of his coronary arteries is partly blocked by an atheroma.
   Describe how an atheroma develops in the wall of an artery.3 marks