BIO 202L LAB 10: BLOOD AND THE HEART
Comprehensive Lab Assessment
Worksheet (2026/2027) AREADY GRADED
A+ GUARANTTED PASS
STUDENT INFORMATION
Student Name _________________________________
Course BIO 202L
Lab Section _________________________________
Date _________________________________
Instructor _________________________________
PRE-LAB ASSESSMENT (Complete before beginning the lab)
Question 1
List the four primary functions of blood.
Function Description
1. ________________ _________________________________
,Function Description
2. ________________ _________________________________
3. ________________ _________________________________
4. ________________ _________________________________
Answer:
1. Transportation – Carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, hormones, and waste
products
2. Regulation – Maintains body temperature, pH, and fluid balance
3. Protection – Prevents infection (white blood cells, antibodies) and blood loss (clotting
factors)
4. Restriction – Prevents hemorrhage through hemostatic mechanisms
Question 2
Label the following components of blood on the diagram below (describe location and
function):
Component Location Primary Function
Plasma
Erythrocytes
Leukocytes
Platelets
,Answer:
Component Location Primary Function
Liquid matrix of blood (55% of Transports cells, nutrients, hormones, waste; maintai
Plasma
whole blood) osmotic pressure
Suspended in plasma (44% of
Erythrocytes Transport oxygen (via hemoglobin) and carbon dioxid
whole blood)
Suspended in plasma (<1% of
Leukocytes Immune defense; phagocytosis; antibody production
whole blood)
Platelets Suspended in plasma Hemostasis; blood clotting; vessel repair
Question 3
Research the process of erythropoiesis and explain the role erythropoietin (EPO) plays. Why is
EPO a popular "doping" drug for athletes?
Answer:
Erythropoiesis is the process of red blood cell production that occurs primarily in the red bone
marrow of flat bones (sternum, pelvis, ribs, skull, vertebrae) .
Role of Erythropoietin (EPO):
• EPO is a hormone produced mainly by the kidneys (85-90%) and to a lesser extent by
the liver (10-15%)
• EPO is released in response to tissue hypoxia (low oxygen levels)
• EPO stimulates the bone marrow to increase RBC production, enhancing the blood's
oxygen-carrying capacity
Why EPO is used as a doping agent:
, • Increased RBC count → enhanced oxygen delivery to working muscles → improved
endurance and athletic performance
Health risks of EPO doping:
• Increased blood viscosity (thickening) → hypertension, stroke, heart attack
• Polycythemia → increased risk of thrombosis (blood clots)
• Death (multiple athletes have died from EPO-related complications)
Question 4
How would the hemoglobin content differ in a person living in Philadelphia (Elevation: 39 feet)
compared to someone living in Denver (Elevation: 5,280 feet)? Why?
Answer:
A person living in Denver would have HIGHER hemoglobin content than a person living in
Philadelphia.
Reasoning:
• At higher altitudes (Denver: 5,280 feet), atmospheric oxygen concentration is lower
• Reduced oxygen availability → kidneys produce more erythropoietin (EPO)
• Increased EPO → bone marrow produces more red blood cells and hemoglobin
• This physiological adaptation (acclimatization) increases the blood's oxygen-carrying
capacity to compensate for lower environmental oxygen
Clinical correlation:
• Normal hemoglobin: Males 13.5–17.5 g/dL; Females 12.0–15.5 g/dL (sea level)
• Denver residents typically have hemoglobin levels 1–2 g/dL higher than sea-level
residents
EXPERIMENT 1: HEART VALVES AND PUMPS
Materials Needed:
Comprehensive Lab Assessment
Worksheet (2026/2027) AREADY GRADED
A+ GUARANTTED PASS
STUDENT INFORMATION
Student Name _________________________________
Course BIO 202L
Lab Section _________________________________
Date _________________________________
Instructor _________________________________
PRE-LAB ASSESSMENT (Complete before beginning the lab)
Question 1
List the four primary functions of blood.
Function Description
1. ________________ _________________________________
,Function Description
2. ________________ _________________________________
3. ________________ _________________________________
4. ________________ _________________________________
Answer:
1. Transportation – Carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, hormones, and waste
products
2. Regulation – Maintains body temperature, pH, and fluid balance
3. Protection – Prevents infection (white blood cells, antibodies) and blood loss (clotting
factors)
4. Restriction – Prevents hemorrhage through hemostatic mechanisms
Question 2
Label the following components of blood on the diagram below (describe location and
function):
Component Location Primary Function
Plasma
Erythrocytes
Leukocytes
Platelets
,Answer:
Component Location Primary Function
Liquid matrix of blood (55% of Transports cells, nutrients, hormones, waste; maintai
Plasma
whole blood) osmotic pressure
Suspended in plasma (44% of
Erythrocytes Transport oxygen (via hemoglobin) and carbon dioxid
whole blood)
Suspended in plasma (<1% of
Leukocytes Immune defense; phagocytosis; antibody production
whole blood)
Platelets Suspended in plasma Hemostasis; blood clotting; vessel repair
Question 3
Research the process of erythropoiesis and explain the role erythropoietin (EPO) plays. Why is
EPO a popular "doping" drug for athletes?
Answer:
Erythropoiesis is the process of red blood cell production that occurs primarily in the red bone
marrow of flat bones (sternum, pelvis, ribs, skull, vertebrae) .
Role of Erythropoietin (EPO):
• EPO is a hormone produced mainly by the kidneys (85-90%) and to a lesser extent by
the liver (10-15%)
• EPO is released in response to tissue hypoxia (low oxygen levels)
• EPO stimulates the bone marrow to increase RBC production, enhancing the blood's
oxygen-carrying capacity
Why EPO is used as a doping agent:
, • Increased RBC count → enhanced oxygen delivery to working muscles → improved
endurance and athletic performance
Health risks of EPO doping:
• Increased blood viscosity (thickening) → hypertension, stroke, heart attack
• Polycythemia → increased risk of thrombosis (blood clots)
• Death (multiple athletes have died from EPO-related complications)
Question 4
How would the hemoglobin content differ in a person living in Philadelphia (Elevation: 39 feet)
compared to someone living in Denver (Elevation: 5,280 feet)? Why?
Answer:
A person living in Denver would have HIGHER hemoglobin content than a person living in
Philadelphia.
Reasoning:
• At higher altitudes (Denver: 5,280 feet), atmospheric oxygen concentration is lower
• Reduced oxygen availability → kidneys produce more erythropoietin (EPO)
• Increased EPO → bone marrow produces more red blood cells and hemoglobin
• This physiological adaptation (acclimatization) increases the blood's oxygen-carrying
capacity to compensate for lower environmental oxygen
Clinical correlation:
• Normal hemoglobin: Males 13.5–17.5 g/dL; Females 12.0–15.5 g/dL (sea level)
• Denver residents typically have hemoglobin levels 1–2 g/dL higher than sea-level
residents
EXPERIMENT 1: HEART VALVES AND PUMPS
Materials Needed:
