Which component contains white blood cells and platelets?

Which component contains white blood cells and platelets?

• A. Serum
• B. Plasma
• C. Buffy Coat
• D. Red Blood Cells

Answer: (C)

The buffy coat is the correct answer because it is the semi-transparent layer that separates the red blood cells from the plasma when whole blood is centrifuged. This layer contains the white blood cells (leukocytes) and platelets (thrombocytes), which are crucial components of the immune system and blood clotting, respectively. In contrast, serum is the fluid portion of the blood that remains after coagulation and lacks clotting factors and cells, while plasma is the liquid component of blood that contains water, electrolytes, proteins, hormones, and waste products, but it does not specifically highlight the presence of white blood cells and platelets. Red blood cells primarily carry oxygen and do not contain leukocytes or thrombocytes, making them distinct from the buffy coat.

The buffy coat is the correct answer because it is the semi-transparent layer that separates the red blood cells from the plasma when whole blood is centrifuged. This layer contains the white blood cells (leukocytes) and platelets (thrombocytes), which are crucial components of the immune system and blood clotting, respectively.

In contrast, serum is the fluid portion of the blood that remains after coagulation and lacks clotting factors and cells, while plasma is the liquid component of blood that contains water, electrolytes, proteins, hormones, and waste products, but it does not specifically highlight the presence of white blood cells and platelets. Red blood cells primarily carry oxygen and do not contain leukocytes or thrombocytes, making them distinct from the buffy coat.