Blood Flashcards
What does blood do
Carries many kinds of substances such as food gases, and wastes to and from all the body cells
What does plasma do
Makes up blood and allows it to flow through blood vessels and circulate throughout the body
What is plasma made of
Mainly water and dissolved gases and nutrients
What % of blood fluid is blood plasma
55%
What makes up the rest of blood
Red and white blood cells and platelets
Plasma is 92% water, what is the rest of it made of
Carbon dioxide Glucose Hormones Proteins Mineral Salts Fats Vitamins
What are the solid components of blood
Red blood cells
White blood cells
Platelets
What is another name for Red Blood Cells
Erythrocytes
Do red blood cells have a nucleus
No
What is the shape of a red blood cell
Tiny, disk like
Not completely round and are bi-concave in shape
What is the main function of red blood cells
Transport oxygen around the body
Why are red blood cells disc shaped with a dent on each side
Increases the surface area for gas exchange
Why do RBC’s have no nucleus
To allow for more space for haemoglobin and therefore more oxygen
Why do RBC’s have a large surface area compared to volume
It allows oxygen to always be close to the surface
What is haemoglobin
A special pigment in RBC’s made of protein that contains iron and retains the oxygen until it reaches its destination