Composition of blood Flashcards
Why do we need blood?
- Carry oxygen to vital organs c02/o2 transported
- Carry oxygen to vital organs
- White blood cells attack disease and harmful bacteria
- Plasma forms scabs so we don’t bleed out
- Carries nutrients
- Temperature regulation
- Carries some waste products
- Stops infection
What 3 components make up plasma?
- lipoproteins
- waste materials
- electrolytes
How much of blood is plasma?
55%
What does plasma do?
Transports dissolved nutrients (glucose, amino acids, vitamins and minerals) needed for essential processes, lipoproteins, antibodies, electrolytes and waste materials contained within the blood
What is a lipoprotein?
A protein which carries fats
What is an example of an electrolyte? What do they do?
Sodium. Salts that carry an electric charge. They control cell membrane stability and carry electrical charges needed for muscle contractions caused by nerve impulses
What do Erythrocytes do? (red blood cells)
They are iron containing proteins that bind oxygen molecules obtained in the lungs and transport them to various parts of the body. After depositing oxygen to tissue and organ cells they pick up CO2 for transportation to the lungs where it is expelled from the body
What do Leucocytes do? (white blood cells)
They play an important role in the immune system and lymphatic system by defending the body against infection. These cells locate, destroy and remove pathogens and foreign matter from the body.
What do Neutrophils do? (white blood cells)
They are made in the bone marrow. They leave the blood in large numbers at sites of infection and engulf and digest bacteria. They also make antibodies and live for only a few days.
What do Lymphocytes do? (white blood cells)
They are made in the thymus and they produce toxic granules that contain powerful enzymes which induce the death of pathogen infected cells, neutralising viruses and killing cancer cells.
What do Monocytes do? (white blood cells)
They fight off bacteria, viruses and fungi. The biggest type of WBC in the immune system. They are formed in the bone marrow and released into the blood and tissues. They remove dead cells and bacteria.
What are platelets? (Thrombocytes)
Fragments of cells formed in the bone marrow called megakaryocytes. Fragments of them circulate through the blood stream and play a major role in clotting. When they encounter an injured blood vessel, they clump together to block the opening.
What are B and T cells two types of and what is their function?
two types of lymphocyte
B-cells produce antibodies to destroy antigens (microorganisms) such as bacteria, viruses and toxins
T-cells destroy the body’s own cells that have been taken over by viruses or have become cancerous
