blood: formed elements pt.1

Question 1

what is the function of an erythrocyte?

Answer 1

to transport oxygen around the body via hemoglobin molecules

Question 2

what does an erythrocyte’s biconcave shape allow for?

Answer 2

greater surface area

Question 3

what does an erythrocyte’s round sides do?

Answer 3

make for efficient flow through blood vessels

Question 4

what is the benefit of an erythrocyte not having a nucleus and a lot of organelles?

Answer 4

not using up oxygen while transporting it

Question 5

why must oxygen be carried by erythrocytes?

Answer 5

b/c oxygen is nonpolar, so it i snot soluble in blood

Question 6

hemoglobin is a protein composed of what?

Answer 6

4 chains called globins

Question 7

what do each of the 4 globins in hemoglobin contain?

Answer 7

a flat molecule called a heme which holds an iron atom which can bind to an O2 molecule

Question 8

what is the function of a leukocyte?

Answer 8

to protect the body from foreign cells/substances

Question 9

which cell outnumbers the other 1,000 to 1? which can live for years?

Answer 9

erythrocyte, leukocytes