organisation - the blood Flashcards
what are the different parts of the blood?
white blood cells, red blood cells, plasma (liquid part of blood), platelets
what is the job of the plasma?
transports substances:
-soluble digestion products (eg glucose) from small intestine to other organs
- carbon dioxide (produced in aerobic respiration) from the organs to the lungs to be breathed out
- the waste product urea from the liver to the kidneys to be excreted in urine
what is the job of the red blood cells?
transport oxygen from the lungs to the body cells
what are the adaptations of the red blood cells?
- carry oxygen carrying molecule haemoglobin. combining with oxygen in the lungs to form oxyhaemoglobin. then travels back to cells where it releases the oxygen
- no nucleus, more room for haemoglobin
-biconcave disc increasing surface area so oxygen diffuse in and out rapidly
what do the white blood cells form?
part of our immune system eg making antibodies
what is the structure of a white blood cell?
contains a nucleus contain DNA which encodes instruction for white blood cells to do their job
what are the uses of donated blood in medicine?
- to replace blood lost in an injury
- some people given platelets extracted from blood to help in clotting
- proteins extracted from blood can also be useful for example antibodies
what are platelets?
tiny fragments of cells and help blood to clot around a wound
what are the problems of using blood in medicine?
blood transfusions- donated blood has to be the same blood type as patients otherwise body immune system will reject blood and patient could die
infection - diseases can be transmitted
what is infection transmitted by blood low in the UK?
it is screened