Components of the blood Flashcards
What is in the blood
Plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets
What is in plasma
Ions, gases, water, waste, hormones, proteins, nutrients etc
What are red blood cells known as
Erythrocytes
How much of our blood do red blood cells make up
40-45%
Function of red blood cells
Deliver oxygen to our tissues using haemoglobin
Specialisations of red blood cells
Biconcave shape, no nucleus, small
Function of erythropoietin
Stimulate red blood cell synthesis
Life span of red blood cell
100 -120 days
How many red blood cells does an adult have
Approx 20 -30 trillion
How much of our cells do red blood cells represent
70%
Where does haemoglobin bind
Lungs - high partial pressure as high saturation of oxygen
Where does haemoglobin dissociate
Tissues - low partial pressure as low saturation of oxygen
What does sickle cell do red blood cells
Causes them to become long and flat
Life expectancy of someone with sick cell
40-60 years
What causes sickle cell
A change in the beta globin gene (6th codon) DNA changes from GAG to GTG