Hawaii Massage License Practice Exam

Blood is composed of which of the following elements?

1. Red blood cells, White blood cells, Platelets, Plasma

2. Platelets, Hemoglobin, Plasma, WBC's

3. Plasma, Leukocytes, Red blood cells, Serum

4. Serum, Clotting factors, White blood cells, Plasma

The correct answer is: Red blood cells, White blood cells, Platelets, Plasma

Blood is composed of several key components, and the choice that includes red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma accurately represents the main elements found in blood. Red blood cells, or erythrocytes, are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body, while white blood cells, or leukocytes, play a crucial role in the immune system by helping to fight off infections and foreign invaders. Platelets, or thrombocytes, are essential for blood clotting, which prevents excessive bleeding when injuries occur. Plasma serves as the liquid component of blood, providing a medium for these cells and various proteins to circulate, as well as carrying nutrients, hormones, and waste products. The other options include elements that are not complete representations of blood composition or introduce terms that do not accurately categorize blood components. For example, hemoglobin is a protein within red blood cells and not a component of blood itself, while serum is the liquid that remains after blood has clotted, lacking clotting factors, making it less representative of whole blood. Therefore, the first choice stands as the most comprehensive and correct description of blood's composition.