Blood Flashcards
What is blood?
Blood is a sticky, viscous fluid and is slightly alkaline with a pH of 7.35
What are 6 cells that form whole blood?
- Plasma
- Erythrocytes (red blood cells)
- Leukocytes (white blood cells)
- Granulocytes
- Agranulocytes
- Platelets
What is plasma?
Fluid that consists of ~90% water, proteins and other solutes.
Role is a carrier protein to shuttle various molecules through circulation and creates osmotic pressure in blood vessels
How does the body regulate a steady level of blood plasma?
If plasma protein levels drop significantly, then the liver will make more proteins
If blood becomes too acidic, then the respiratory and renal system kick in to restore pH
What are Erythrocytes?
Red blood cells.
Do not contain a nucleus but does have haemoglobin
What are Leukocytes?
White blood cells.
Involved in immune system response to fight invading pathogens.
What are the 2 main types of white blood cells?
Granulocytes
Agranulocytes
What are granulocytes?
Neutrophils - phagocyte bacteria
Eosinophils - involved in allergies and kill parasites
Basophils - involved in inflammatory response
What are agranulocytes?
Lymphocytes - form plasma cells which produce antibodies
Monocytes - phagocyte debris
What are platelets?
Known as thrombocytes - are fragments of cells involved in blood clotting response.
They stick to the area of damage to form a ‘platelet plug’
What are the functions of blood?
Transport
Regulation
Protection
What does blood transport?
Blood transports gases (O and CO2) around the body, taking oxygen from the lungs to tissues and CO2 from tissues to lungs to be breathed out.
Blood also carries nutrients, hormones and waste products
What does blood regulate?
Blood helps to regulate the pH, temperature and water content of the tissues.
What role does blood play in protection?
The blood’s ability to clot protects the body from losing too much blood.
White blood cells attack and destroy invading pathogens
What elements are formed in the red bone marrow?
Hemopoiesis
Erythropoiesis