blood Flashcards
the components of blood and the percentage it takes up
plasma (55%), red blood cells (45%), white blood cells (<1%), platelets (<1%)
what is plasma
the liquid (mostly water) that makes up 55% of blood.
what does plasma contain
dissolved CO2, urea, hormones and proteins
what are red blood cells
an iron based chemical that carries oxygen and some CO2, they are shaped like a disk to help move around one another in blood vessels
what do red blood cells do
they transport hemoglobin
what produces hemoglobin
iron
what are white blood cells
they are larger and less numerous then RBC, they fight of illnesses, diseases and infections they are also called leukocytes
what are platelets
tiny sacs of chemicals that cause fibrinogen (protein) to turn into small thread-like fibres called fibrin.
Also known as thrombocytes
what do platelets do
they burst open when they hit something sharp (edge of a cut) and produce fibrin which creates blood clots to stop the bleeding
what is thrombus
when a blood clot seals off a blood vessel
what can thrombus cause
a stroke, if it dislodges it can move to a different part of your body creating a embolus
