Blood

Question 1

The job of red blood cells is…

Answer 1

To carry oxygen from the lungs to all the cells around the body.

Question 2

3 parts of a red blood cell:

Answer 2

1) Biconcave disc shape- large surface area for absorbing oxygen.
2) They don’t have a nucleus- more room for oxygen.
3) Contain a red pigment called haemoglobin.

Question 3

What does haemoglobin do?

Answer 3

In the lungs it binds to oxygen to become oxyhaemoglobin. In body tissues, oxyhaemoglobin splits into haemoglobin and oxygen, to release oxygen to the cells.

Question 4

White blood cells… (3)

Answer 4

1) Some remove unwanted microorganisms in a process called phagocytosis.
2) Others produce antibodies to fight microorganisms, and antitoxins to neutralise toxins produced by the microorganisms.
3) They have a nucleus.

Question 5

Platelets… (3)

Answer 5

1) Are small fragments of cells with no nucleus.
2) They help blood clot at a wound, stopping blood pouring out and microorganisms getting in.
3) Lack of platelets can cause excessive bleeding and bruising.

Question 6

What does plasma carry in the blood? (6)

Answer 6

Just about everything:
1) Red/white blood cells and platelets
2) Glucose and amino acids
3) Carbon dioxide (from organs to lungs)
4) Urea (from liver to kidneys)
5) Hormones and proteins
6) Antibodies and antitoxins from the white blood cells