Blood Pressure

Question 1

The air we breathe in is

Answer 1

20% oxygen and 0.4% carbon dioxide

Question 2

The air we breathe out is

Answer 2

16% oxygen and 4% carbon dioxide

Question 3

Vascular shunting

Answer 3

When you exercise, the distribution of blood in your body changes. Your muscles need a lot more blood for movement, so your body works to get more blood to your muscles

Question 4

Red blood cells

Answer 4

Most of the cells in your blood are discs called red blood cells or erythrocytes. The pigment that gives the cells their colour is haemoglobin, and this is the part of the blood that attracts oxygen, picking it up in the lungs and delivering it to the tissues

Question 5

White blood cells

Answer 5

The blood also contains transparent cells called white blood cells or leukocytes. These have an important function as the defence system of the body, because they destroy pathogens, which can cause illness. Some white blood cells completely engulf bacteria or viruses and digest them, while others destroy the pathogens with chemicals called antibodies

Question 6

Blood platelets

Answer 6

Blood platelets are formed in the red bone marrow. They are concerned with the production of a substance called thrombokinase, which is essential for the clotting of blood

Question 7

Plasma

Answer 7

Plasma is important in sport because, without circulation between the cells and the tissues, oxygen transportation cannot happen- and that means muscles cannot get the energy they need to work. Also, carbon dioxide mostly dissolves in plasma when it is being removed into the blood