Cells of the blood Flashcards
Function of circulatory system
Pumps blood around body
Functions of blood
Distributes substances around body
Maintains temperature
Maintains pH
Prevents infection
What happens when you centrifuge blood?
Densest section = erythrocytes
Least dense is plasma
The two are separated by Buffy coat
What is the buffy coat?
White layer containing platelets and leukocytes
What are erythrocytes?
RBCs
What are leukocytes?
WBCs
What is plasma?
Sticky fluid
Mostly water
Some proteins/nutrients/ions etc
2 examples of proteins found in plasma
Albumin
Globulins
What does albumin do?
Contributes to osmotic pressure
What do globulins do?
Binds to molecules for transport
Characteristics of red blood cells?
No cell division Numerous Bi-concave Anucleate Lots of hemoglobin
How are RBCs and platelets replaced?
Stem cells in bone marrow
How many polypeptide chais make up haemoglobin?
4 - 2 alpha and 2 beta
What is each polypeptide chain in haemoglobin bound to?
A heme group with iron at the centre
How many molecules of oxygen does each haemoglobin molecule bind to?
4
What is hematopoiesis?
Making blood cells
Where does hematopoiesis occur?
Red bone marrow
Function of leukocytes
Part of immune system
Defend against pathogens
What doe neutrophils do?
Kill bacteria by phagocytosis
What do eosinophils do?
Kill parasitic worms
Combat effects of histamine in allergic reactions
What do basophils do?
Intensify inflammatory response in allergic reactions
What do lymphocytes do?
B-cells develop into plasma cells to secrete antibodies
T-cells attack viruses and cancer cells
NK cells attack infectious microbes
What do platelets do?
Fragments of megakaryocytes
Blood clotting
Why do megakaryocytes form?
Repeated mitotic cycles with no cytokinesis
Which antibodies are in the plasma of someone with blood type A?
Anti - B
Which antibodies are in the plasma of someone with blood type b?
Anti-A
Which antibodies are in the plasma of someone with blood type O?
Anti-A and Anti-B