4.2.2.3 Blood Flashcards
1
Q
What are the four main things in blood?
A
- red blood cells
- white blood cells
- platelets
- plasma
2
Q
What is the job of red blood cells?
A
- to carry oxygen from the lungs to all the cells in the body
3
Q
What are the adaptations of red blood cells?
A
- biconcave disc shape which gives them a large surface area for absorbing oxygen
- don’t have a nucleus which allows more room to carry oxygen
- have red pigment called haemoglobin which binds to oxygen in the lungs to become oxyhaemoglobin, the opposite happens in body cells which releases oxygen to cells
4
Q
What are the different types of white blood cells?
A
- lymphocytes
- phagocytes
5
Q
What is the job of white blood cells?
A
- change shape to engulf microorganisms (called phagocytosis)
- produce antibodies to fight microorganisms and antitoxins to neutralise any toxins produced
- have a nucleus
6
Q
What are platelets?
A
- small fragments of cells
- no nucleus
7
Q
What are platelets’ jobs?
A
- help blood to clot at a wound to stop blood pouring out and to stop microorganisms getting in
- lack of platelets can cause excessive bleeding and bruising
8
Q
What is plasma?
A
- pale straw-coloured liquid which carries lots of things
9
Q
What does plasma carry?
A
- red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets
- nutrients like glucose and amino acids
- carbon dioxide
- urea
- hormones
- proteins
- antibodies and antitoxins
