blood LO1

Question 1

What are erythrocytes?

Answer 1

They are red blood cells, they are made in the bone marrow and are red because of haemoglobin. They have a thin, disc like shape.

Question 2

What is haemoglobin?

Answer 2

A red protein responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood.

Question 3

What are leucocytes?

Answer 3

They are white blood cells, they are part of the body’s immune system and are immune cells that defend the body against infections.

Question 4

How many different types of leucocytes are there? What are they?

Answer 4

3- lymphocytes, neutrophils and monocytes

Question 5

What are lymphocytes?

Answer 5

There are 2 types of lymphocyte, B-cells and T-cells. These are white blood cells that are part of the immune system. B-cells develop in the bone marrow and T-cells develop in the thymus gland. They have wide-ranging functions in the immune system.

Question 6

What are neutrophils?

Answer 6

These are small and fast; they are one of the first cell types to travel to the site of infection.

Question 7

What are monocytes?

Answer 7

These are the largest of the white blood cells.

Question 8

What is an immune system?

Answer 8

The organs and processes of the body that help defend against and provide resistance to infection.

Question 9

What are platelets?

Answer 9

They are produced in the bone marrow and are fragments of larger cells. They are disc shaped.

Question 10

What is plasma?

Answer 10

It is the largest component of blood. It makes up about 55% of blood volume. It is a clear yellowish coloured liquid. It carries platelets, red and white blood cells and proteins.

Question 11

The functions of erythrocytes (red blood cells)

Answer 11

The function is the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide within the body. They do not have a nucleus, which increases space to carry the maximum amount of haemoglobin. Haemoglobin combines with oxygen, so erythrocytes are able to transport more oxygen. They have a bi-concave shape, round and flattened, with a central indentation to maximise the surface area for exposure to oxygen. They are small and flexible, allowing them to get into narrow blood vessels called capillaries.

Question 12

The functions of leucocytes (white blood cells)

Answer 12

The functions of leucocytes are that the cells that have a role in defence and immunity. They detect abnormal material and destroy it.

Question 13

The functions of lymphocytes

Answer 13

B-cells produce antibodies to destroy antigens (micro-organisms) such as bacteria, viruses and toxins
T-cells destroy the body’s own cells that have been taken over by viruses or have become cancerous

Question 14

The functions of neutrophils

Answer 14

The function of neutrophils are to protect the body against bacterial infection. Highly mobile and attracted to any area of infection by chemicals produced by damaged cells.

Question 15

The functions of monocytes

Answer 15

This is part of the immune system. It was originally formed in the bone marrow, they are released into the blood and tissues. When certain germs enter the body, they quickly rush to the site for attack

Question 16

The functions of platelets

Answer 16

The function of the platelets are to help form blood clots by clumping together, to slow or stop bleeding and to help wounds heal.

Question 17

The functions of plasma

Answer 17

Liquid is which the blood cells are suspended. Provides a means of transport for glucose, lipids, amino acids, hormones, dissolves food molecules, carbon dioxide and oxygen. Carries proteins including fibrinogen, which helps with blood clotting. Helps with temperature regulation of the body- blood removes head from tissues such as muscles and circulates it around the body.