University of Guyana

Faculty of Natural Sciences

Department of Biology

Lecturers:
Laboratory Exercise #
[Bleeding and reaction time]
Aim:

 To determine the bleeding time of blood of an individual

 To measure the reaction time of an individual holding a ruler.

Introduction:

A clinical laboratory test called bleeding time is used to assess platelet function. It entails making

a consistent incision and timing when the bleeding stops. The past indications included checking

patients using NSAIDs or aspirin before surgery and checking for von Willebrand disease.

Unfortunately, it lacks reproducibility and is insensitive. Bleeding time has mainly been replaced

by platelet function assay. The bleeding time for platelet-mediated coagulopathy has a low

sensitivity and specificity despite method standardization. Without any evidence of danger,

several hospitals and health systems have discontinued the test. A comprehensive history and

physical examination are typically the only tests required for the pre-operative assessment of

bleeding risk. Modern platelet function assays can give the information required to determine the

therapeutic effectiveness of platelet aggregation. When cerebral hemorrhage occurs, this is

increasingly used along with different antiplatelet medications before a pooled platelet

transfusion (Russeau et al ., 2021).

The reaction time of an organism is a measurement of how rapidly it can react to a certain

stimulus. Due to the potential importance of its practical applications, such as the serious

consequences of having a slower-than-average reaction time when driving, reaction time has

been extensively investigated. Age, gender, physical fitness, exhaustion, distraction, alcohol use,

personality type, and whether the stimulus is auditory or visual have all been found to have an

impact on reaction times. In ‘simple reaction time’ experiments, there is only one stimulus and
one response. Catching a dropped stick, or hitting a button when a light change are examples. In

‘recognition reaction time’ experiments, there are symbols to respond to and symbols to be

ignored. There is still only one correct stimulus and one response. An example would be

catching a dropped stick with a word cue, while having to ignore other spoken words which are

not cues. In ‘choice reaction time’ experiments, there are multiple stimuli and multiple

responses. The reaction must correspond to the correct stimulus. Typing a letter which matches a

printed letter prompt is an example of this type of experiment (Biology 104., n.d.).

Method:

Bleeding time

1. The base of the finger nail was pricked with a sterilized needle and a drop of blood

appeared.

2. Every 30 seconds the blood drops were dabbed with a piece of blotting paper without

touching the skin.

3. The time from the appearance of the drop pf blood to the time when the bleeding stopped

and the filter paper was no longer stained was taken as the bleeding time. (NOTE –

Normal bleeding time is 2 to 5 minutes)

Measuring Reaction time

1. The experimenter’s partner held a meter ruler vertically at the zero-end point, between his

thumb and forefinger, with the 50 cm mark levelled with the top of the experimenter’s

finger

2. Without any warning, the ruler was dropped and the experimenter caught it between his

thumb and forefinger.

 3. The distance just above the experimenter’s forefinger was noted.

Results

Bleeding time
Reaction time

2. calculate the time taken to catch the ruler using the formula on the handout

(Check in above photo)

Discussion

1. Compare your bleeding time with that of two other classmates. Using literature,

account for any differences.

According to the accumulated data, the experimenter's finger bled for the first 30 seconds after

being pierced. After bleeding for an additional 90 seconds, the experimenter's finger eventually

stopped at 120 seconds. But unlike one of my classmates, Shreya, her finger only bled for a

maximum of 60 seconds. According to the results from my other colleague Petunia, her finger

bled for the first 30 and then persisted for 120 seconds. Based to what was said, the experimenter

can conclude that both himself and his colleagues have typical blood bleeding times.

2. Compare your reaction time and that of two other classmates to the ratings shown

in the table on the handout. Using literature, account for any differences.

The experimenter's reaction time, according to the data acquired, is 0.28 seconds. His colleagues

Shreya and Chelbie react far more quickly than him, with reaction times of 0.177 and 0.14,

respectively, in comparison. Having said that, the experimenter and his companions have quick

reflexes.

Conclusion

The experimenter's calculated bleeding time is 90 seconds, while the calculated reaction time is

0.28 seconds.
 References

Biology 104. (n.d.). Reaction Times. Radford. https://sites.radford.edu/~jkell/Reaction

%20Times.pdf

Russeau, A. P., Vall, H., & Manna, B. (2021, August 11). Bleeding time - StatPearls - NCBI

bookshelf. National Center for Biotechnology

Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537233/