The Role of Leukocytes and Platelets in Separated Blood

What is in the whitish buffy coat of separated blood?

a) Erythrocytes b) Leukocytes and platelets c) Plasma proteins d) Hemoglobin

Final answer:

The whitish buffy coat in separated blood contains leukocytes (white blood cells) and platelets, which are essential for immune response and blood clotting.

The whitish buffy coat of separated blood primarily consists of leukocytes (white blood cells) and platelets. When blood is centrifuged, the components separate based on their densities. Erythrocytes (red blood cells), being the heaviest, settle at the bottom, with a thin, pale layer of leukocytes and platelets forming the buffy coat above them, which separates the erythrocytes from the plasma. The plasma is found at the top of the tube.

This buffy coat is critical as it contains cells that are part of the immune response and are responsible for blood clotting. Leukocytes play a vital role in defending the body against infections and foreign invaders, while platelets are necessary for forming clots to stop bleeding.

In conclusion, the presence of leukocytes and platelets in the whitish buffy coat of separated blood highlights their importance in maintaining health and responding to injuries or infections.