Blood Flashcards
Functions of blood
Transports food + oxygen
Defence against disease
Clotting
What are the components of blood?
Plasma + 3 cellular components ; red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets
What is plasma?
Yellow liquid consisting of 90% water
What is the function of plasma?
To carry [transport]
What does plasma contain/transport
Nutrients [glucose, amino acids, vitamins] Waste [co2 and urea] Hormones [adrenaline] Antibodies Clotting proteins Heat
What is serum?
It’s plasma minus the clotting proteins
Name a substance carried by plasma
Glucose, amino acids, vitamins
Name a group of substances carried by plasma
Nutrients
What is the function of red blood cells?
Carry oxygen around the body
What is the function of white blood cells?
Fight infection
What is the function of platelets?
Clotting
Red blood cells
Produced in bone marrow
No nucleus when mature
No mitochondria
Contains protein haemoglobin [needs iron in diet]
Oxygen bonds to the haem and it is known as oxyhemoglobin
Also known as erythrocytes
How does anaemia occur?
When we do not have enough red blood cells [lack of iron in diet]
White blood cells
Made in bone marrow
Larger than red blood cell
Has a nucleus
Also known as leucocytes
What are the two types of white cells
Lymphocytes
Monocytes
Lymphocytes
Produce antibodies that attack bacteria and viruses
Large nucleus
Stored in lymphatic system
Monocytes
Engulf bacteria and viruses in a process known as phagocytosis
Also called marcophages
5% of all white cells
What is phagocytosis
The process in which Bacteria and viruses are engulfed
Platelets
Bone marrow
No nucleus
Also known as thrombocytes
What are haemophiliacs
Unable to produce certain clotting chemicals
What is thrombosis?
Occurs if a clot blocks a blood vessel [brain = stroke, heart = heart attack]
What are antibodies
Proteins made by white blood cells in response to the presence of foreign chemicals called antigens
What are antigens?
Chemicals that rigger our white blood cells to make antibodies against them
What happens if you receive the wrong blood type?
Your body will attack the red blood cells because it thinks they are a bacteria/virus. This is because the red blood cells have “foreign” chemicals on their surface
What are the two systems of blood groups?
The ABO system and the RHESUS system
What are the different blood types in the ABO group?
Blood type A, Blood type AB, Blood type O and Blood type B
What does blood type A contain?
It contains only A antigens
What does blood type AB contain?
It contains both A and B antigens
What does blood type B contain?
It contains only B antigens
What does blood type O contain?
No antigens
Where are the antigens found?
They are found on the surface of the red blood cells
Antigen A is “foreign” to a person with what blood types?
Blood group B or O
Antigen B is “foreign” to a person with what blood groups?
Blood group A or O
When will a person reject a blood transfusion?
A person will reject a blood transfusion if “foreign” antigens are present on the surface of the red blood cells received
Which blood group is the universal donor and what does this mean?
Type O and it means it can be given to all of the 4 blood groups
Which blood group is the universal recipient and what does this mean?
Type AB and it means it accepts blood from all four blood groups
RHESUS system, how is the blood type determined?
The blood type is determined by the presence or absence of the rhesus antigen [“D”] on the surface of the red blood cells.
People who have antigen D are what
Rhesus positive [RH+]
People without antigen D are what
Rhesus negative [RH-]
How do red blood cells differ from white blood cells
Smaller Bi concave No nucleus No mitochondria Transport 02 Contain haemoglobin
Name a group of white blood cells other than lymphocytes
Monocytes
Give two ways other than colour, in which red blood cells differs in structure or composition from a typical body cell such as one in the cheek lining
No nucleus
Haemoglobin
State a precise location in the human body at which red blood cells are made?
Bone Marrow
What is the advantage of the biconcave shape of red blood cell
- greater surface area for gaseous exchange
- makes them more flexible
