Blood, Haematopoiesis and Haemostasis

What this unit covers

This unit sits in the Blood and Immunity strand of Physiology. It has three threads: what blood is made of, how blood cells are produced, and how bleeding is stopped and then cleared.

For the first thread, the mind map The Blood outlines function, composition, physical properties, plasma and blood types. Plasma Proteins sorts proteins into categories such as albumin, immune proteins, haemostatic proteins and binding proteins.

Blood cell production

The mind map Haemopoiesis defines the term as the production of all blood cells and splits it into erythropoiesis, leukopoiesis and thrombopoiesis. Then try the quiz Steps of the Erythrocyte Maturation Series, which asks you to fill in each stage, beginning with the multipotent haematopoietic stem cell. There are also resources on iron metabolism, haemoglobin and red blood cells.

Haemostasis and clotting

This is the largest group on the page. The mind map Hemostasis walks through vascular spasm and platelet plug formation. The quiz Haemostasis asks you to define the term and name the traits of platelets. Coagulation and Fibrinolytic Cascade asks you to label the extrinsic, intrinsic, common and fibrinolytic pathways. The quiz Fibrinolysis asks why clots need to be broken down. For treatment, look at Antithrombotic Quiz and the mind map Clotting and AntiThrombotic Therapy.

A sensible order

1. Start with The Blood for the big picture.
2. Move to Haemopoiesis and the erythrocyte quiz.
3. Read a haemostasis map, then take the matching quiz.
4. Finish with the cascade and fibrinolysis quizzes.

Use maps to see how the parts connect, then use quizzes to check what you can recall without looking. Teachers can pick a map or quiz to set as ready-made material.

Choose one map today, take its matching quiz, and note where you hesitated.