Componets of the blood and the heart Flashcards
What are the adaptations of red blood cells?
- Small so they can squeez through the smallest capillaries, allowing oxygen to get close to every cell
- Packed with a pigment called haemoglobin that binds to oxygen
- No nulceus so there is more space for haemoglobin
- Are biconcave discs, giving them an increased surface area to volume ratio
How are white blood cells adapted to their funtion?
- Large so they can engulf pathogens
2. Can destroy pathogens by engulfing them, making antibodies or making antitoxins
What is the function of platelets?
They are fragments of cells that begin the healing process at the site of wounds by clotting together.
How are platelets adapted to their function?
They become activated when you get a cut and stick together at the site of wounds.
They catalyse the conversion of soluble fibrinogen (a protein) into insoluble fibrin, which forms fibres which trap blood cells.
What dissolved substances are carried in plasma?
Glucose, amino acids, hormones, urea, heat, nutrients, waste and carbon dioxide produced by cells.
What other substances are transported in the blood?
Water, plasma proteins, mineral ions, anibodies, carbohydrates, lipids, dissolved gases,
What links the arteries and the veins?
The capillary network
What is meant by a double circulatory system?
Blood passes the the heart twice in one complete circuit of the body
What is an advantage of blood travelling around the body at a high pressure due to going through the heart twice?
Oxygen gets to cells faster. It gets close to all cells.
What are the two parts of the double circulatory system?
The pulmonary system and the systemic system
What is the function of the cardiac muscle?
It makes up the walls of the heart, allowing it to contract and push blood at a high pressure
Why does the left side of the heart have thicker walls?
To transport oxygenated blood at a high pressure around the whole body
Why do vetricles have thicker walls then atria?
The left ventricle transports oxygenated blood into the aorta to go around the body
What is the function of the coronary arteries that cover the hearts surface?
They supply the cariac muscle with blood, so that they have oxygen for respiration as well as nutrients. This allows the heart to continue contracting and relaxing
How is oxygenated blood in the arteries transported at a high pressure and therefore speed?
Arteries have a thick walls and a small and narrow lumen
