The Blood Flashcards
Functions of blood
- Transport food, waste products, hormones and heat (plasma)
- Transport oxygen
- Defend against disease
- Clotting
What is plasma?
This is the liquid part of blood, a yellow liquid consisting of about 90% water
Function of plasma
To carry (transport)
- Red blood cells, white blood cells & platelets
- Nutrients (glucose,amino acids & platelets)
- Waste (Co2 and Urea)
- Hormones (adrenaline)
- Antibodies
- Clotting proteins
- Heat
Where are red and white blood cells produced?
Bone Marrow
Old red blood cells are broken down by what?
The liver
How long do red blood cells live for?
About 120 days (4 months)
What are red blood cells also known as?
Erythrocytes
How many red blood cells are there per ml of blood?
5 million per ml
How many white blood cells are there per ml of blood?
7,000 per ml
What are white blood cells also known as?
Leucocytes
What are the two types of what blood cells called?
Lymphocytes & Monocytes
What do lymphocytes do?
Produce antibodies
What do monocytes do?
Engulf bacteria and viruses in a process called phagocytosis
Where are lymphocytes stored?
In the lymphatic system
Function of platelets?
Clotting - keeps blood in and germs out
Where are platelets made?
Bone marrow
How long do platelets live for?
A week
How many platelets are there per ml of blood?
250,000 per ml of blood
What are white blood cells also known as?
Thrombocytes
What are antibodies?
Antibodies are proteins made by white blood cells in response to the presence of foreign chemicals called Antigens
What are antigens?
Antigens are chemicals that triggers our white blood cells to make antibodies against them
Two systems of blood types
The ABO system & the Rhesus system
