Blood Flashcards
What are the three main elements of blood?
Plasma, red blood cells, and white blood cells.
What is plasma, and what is its main function in the blood?
Plasma is the liquid part of the blood, made mostly of water. It carries red and white blood cells, along with dissolved substances like glucose and carbon dioxide, around the body.
How does plasma contribute to the respiratory process?
Plasma carries dissolved carbon dioxide to the lungs, where it diffuses out and is exhaled in expired air.
What is the main purpose of red blood cells?
The main purpose of red blood cells is to transport oxygen throughout the body.
Why do red blood cells lack a nucleus and mitochondria?
Red blood cells lack a nucleus to create more space for hemoglobin, and they lack mitochondria to prevent them from using the oxygen they transport.
What is hemoglobin, and what happens when it binds with oxygen?
Hemoglobin is a red pigment in red blood cells that binds to oxygen. When it binds with oxygen, it forms oxyhemoglobin, which is bright red in color.
Describe the structure of red blood cells and how it relates to their function.
Red blood cells are small and biconcave in shape, which maximizes surface area and allows them to pass through small capillaries, aiding in oxygen transport.
How can you distinguish white blood cells from red blood cells?
White blood cells have a nucleus, while red blood cells do not. Some white blood cells are also larger than red blood cells.
What is the main function of white blood cells?
The main function of white blood cells is to defend the body against pathogens (bacteria and viruses that cause illness).
How do some white blood cells capture pathogens?
Some white blood cells can change shape to form finger-like structures that capture pathogens by engulfing them with their cytoplasm, then producing chemicals to kill and digest the pathogens.
What are antibodies, and what is their role in the immune response?
Antibodies are chemicals produced by certain white blood cells that kill pathogens. They are Y-shaped and specific to each type of pathogen. They either kill the pathogens directly or immobilize them for capture by white blood cells.
How do antibodies sometimes work to capture pathogens?
Antibodies can glue multiple pathogens together so they can’t move, making it easier for white blood cells to capture and destroy them.
