Biology Flashcards
4 main components of blood:
Red Blood cells- To carry oxygen-rich blood from the long to the cells of the body’s tissues’.
White blood cells- there are two types of white blood cells:
1. phagocytes- kills microorganisms if they get into the blood.
2. Lymphocytes- produces chemicals called anti-bodies. they either kill or cause the microorganisms to clump together.
Platelets- they help the blood to clot at wounds; they seal and clot the wound.
Plasma- involved in transporting digested foods. Involved in transporting carbon dioxide.
Describe the features of a red blood cell which aids it transportation of oxygen.
Oxygen binds to the red blood cells in the lungs, they are transported to the heart which then pumps it to the rest of the bodies cells and organs.
List 3 main types of blood vessels and their role:
- Arteries- they carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the tissues.
- Veins- they carry de-oxygenated blood back to the heart from the tissues.
- Capillaries- location for the exchange of gas and nutrients.
What does our blood flow through?
Blood Vessels
What are arteries and what do they do?
They are Blood Vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart towards the body’s organs (except for pulmonary artery which carries which carries blood to the lungs for oxygenation).
What structural features do arteries have to withstand high pressures?
They have thick elastic walls and a smaller lumen.
What occurs at the capillaries?
The exchange of gas and nutrients.
What are endothelial cells?
Thin flattened cells which line the inner wall of the blood vessels.
Three chemical substances transported by the plasma:
- Amino acids
- Cholesterol
- Enzymes
Why do veins need valves but arteries do not?
To prevent the back flow of blood.
List three reason on why we need blood circulation:
- To move glucose and other nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones and urea to and from the cells.
- Help fight disease.
- Help stabilize body temperature
What is the function of the Coronary Artery?
The coronary artery takes oxygenated blood to the heart muscle. The heart muscle uses the oxygen to release energy ( for aerobic respiration).
What is the function of the Coronary Vein?
The coronary vein takes de-oxygenated blood from the heart muscle back to the lungs.
Why does the left side of the heart need more power?
The left side needs more power because it pumps blood around the entire body whereas the right side only pumps blood a short distance to the lungs. This is why there is a bigger muscle on the left.
What is the name of the chambers at the top of the heart?
Atrium