B3.3.4 - Blood Typing Flashcards
How many litres of blood do you have in your body?
5 litres
What are the main components of blood?
- Red blood cells
- White blood cells.
- Plasma
- Platelets
What is the function of red blood cells?
- To carry oxygen around the body.
2. To transport carbon dioxide from the body back to the lungs
What is the function of white blood cells?
To fight disease
engulf pathogens to kill, produce antibodies to kill, produce antitoxins to stop toxins
What is the function of plasma?
To carry blood cells, digested food, waste, hormones etc.
What is the function of platelets?
they are fragments of cells that help blood to clot.
Describe a red blood cell.
- small
- disc-like shape with no nucleus
- contain ‘haemoglobin’ which allows oxygen to bind to them
Describe a white blood cell.
- large
- have a nucleus
(engulf pathogens to kill, produce antibodies to kill, produce antitoxins to stop toxins)
Describe plasma
- straw coloured liquid.
- mainly water (90%)
Name the 4 blood groups.
A
B
AB
O
Blood groups are determined by what?
Antigens (protein molecules) on the surface of red blood cells.
What is an antigen?
A protein molecule found on the surface of blood cells that acts like a label.
Which antigens are found on blood group A?
‘A’ antigens
Which antigens are found on blood group B?
‘B’ antigens
Which antigens are found on blood group AB?
Both ‘A’ and ‘B’ antigens
