2.52 Blood

Question 1

What are the components of blood?

Answer 1

Red blood cells, White blood cells, Platelets, Plasma

Question 2

What are red blood cells?

Answer 2

Biconcave discs with no nucleus to maximise available capacity to carry more haemoglobin

Question 3

What are white blood cells?

Answer 3

Large cells containing a nucleus: different types have different functions

Question 4

What are platelets?

Answer 4

Fragments of cells

Question 5

What is plasma?

Answer 5

Clear, straw-coloured aqueous solution

Question 6

What does plasma transport?

Answer 6

-Carbon dioxide
-Digested food and mineral ions
-Urea
-Hormones
-Heat energy

Question 7

What are the 3 adaptations that help the red blood cell carry oxygen more efficiently?

Answer 7

-No nucleus allows more space for haemoglobin
-They are full of haemoglobin which binds to oxygen
-It is a biconcave disc which increases surface area for absorption of oxygen