Blood! Flashcards
What is the role of blood in the human body?
To role of blood is to supply all the cells with glucose and oxygen for aerobic respiration and to take away the carbon dioxide and water produced by the cell.
What are the components of blood?
White blood cells, red blood cells, and blood plasma
What is plasma?
Plasma, the liquid part of blood, is mostly water and transports red and white blood cells, along with dissolved substances like glucose. it also carries carbon dioxide, produced by respiration in cells, to the lungs where it is expelled during breathing.
What are red blood cells?
Red blood cells are odd cells, missing a nucleus and to make room for haemoglobin, which is the red pigment they have. red blood cells do not have mitochondria. it makes blood look red. they also have the shape of a bioconclave disk as it has a high surface area for even more haemoglobin.
Why do red blood cells have haemoglobin?
Haemoglobin in red blood cells helps transport oxygen. Oxygen diffuses from the lungs into the blood, then into red blood cells, where it combines with haemoglobin to form oxyhaemoglobin. This bright red compound delivers oxygen respiring cells, and the process repeats.
Why do RBCs lack a nucleus and mitochondria?
Red blood cells lack a nucleus and mitochondria to maximize space for hemoglobin and prevent them from using the oxygen they carry.
What is another way RBCs are adapted for their function?
Another way RBCs are adapted for their function is that they are very tiny, so that they can get through very thin blood capillaries.
What are white blood cells?
White blood cells play a crucial role in defending the body against pathogens, like bacteria and viruses. They are larger than red blood cells and have a nucleus. Some white blood cells can change shape to surround and digest pathogens, while others produce Chemicals called antibodies these antibodies stick to pathogens either killing them directly or clumping them together, making it easier for other white blood cells to attack and digest them.
Suggest a reason why your body would have a lot of white blood cells.
Your body may have an infection, so it produces lots of WBCs to fight it.
