Blood + the Heart Flashcards
Name the tissue which consists of RBCs, WBCs, Platelets and Plasma
Blood
Blood is in which level of organisation?
Tissue
Name 3 components of the blood suspended in plasma
WBCs
RBCs (Erythrocytes)
Platelets
Name the 4 components of the blood
Plasma (55%)
Red Blood Cells (45%)
White Blood Cells (<1%)
Platelets (<1%)
What does blood plasma transport?
Dissolved substances (glucose, carbon dioxide, hormones and urea)
What is the scientific name for Red Blood Cells?
Erythrocytes
What is the function of RBC?
To transport oxygen around the body
What is the function of Platelets?
To repair damaged blood vessels and make blood clots
What are Platelets?
Small fragments of cells
Do platelets have a nucleus?
No
Name the 2 types of WBC
Lymphocytes
Phagocytes
What do Lymphocytes do?
Produce anti-bodies
What do Phagocytes do?
Engulf and digest Pathogens
Name the special shape of a RBC
Bi-concave shape
Why do RBC have a bi-concave shape?
To maximise surface area and yet have a small volume
What is the function of valves?
To prevent backflow
Describe the structure of a vein
Thin outer wall
Thin layer of muscle
Wide lumen
Where is blood in veins going?
Back into heart
What do capillaries do?
Give blood to cells and tissues
Where is blood in arteries going?
Away from heart
Describe the lumen of an artery
Narrow
Why do arteries have thick outer walls?
So that they don’t burst
What is haemoglobin?
A pigment that can bind reversibly with oxygen
Where does Urea end up?
Urine
Where in the blood is Urea dissolved?
Plasma
What is Urea?
A waste product of the breakdown of proteins
State the word equation for aerobic respiration
Oxygen + glucose ➡️ Carbon Dioxide + Water (+ ENERGY)
Where can haemoglobin be found?
RBCs
How are RBCs adapted for their function?
Contain haemoglobin (for oxygen to bind to)
No organelles including no nucleus (more room for oxygen)
Biconcave shape (high SA:Vol ratio)
Small size (can pass through tiny capillaries)
How are capillaries adapted to their function?
One cell thick
so substances can easily diffuse in and out
Why can white blood cells change shape?
To squeeze through blood vessel walls
into body tissues and there, engulf pathogens
What type of blood do arteries usually carry?
Except the pulmonary artery
Oxygen Rich (Oxygenated)
CO2 Poor
Describe the structure of an artery
Thick Outer Walls
Thick Muscle Walls (with elastic fibres so they can stretch and spring back) to cope with the high pressure
Narrow Lumen
Which side of the heart has thicker walls?
Left
Define Cardiac Output
volume of blood pumped from the heart every minute
Give the equation for cardiac output
Q = HR × SV
Cardiac Output = Heart Rate x Stroke Volume
Define stroke volume
The volume of blood pumped by each ventricle with each heartbeat
Define heart rate
The number of heartbeats per minute
Which side of the heart contains oxygenated blood?
Left
Why is the human circulatory system called a double circulatory system?
Blood passes through the heart twice per circuit
Once to the body and once to be reoxygenated
What is the function of alveoli?
Gas exchange in the lungs
Give oxygen to blood
How are alveoli adapted for their function?
Large moist surface area.
Rich oxygen supply.
Surrounded by capillaries, minimising diffusion distance
