Transport in Animals - Blood and its components Flashcards
Name the 3 kinds of blood vessels?
The three types of blood vessels are:
1. Capillaries
2. Veins
3. Arteries
List the functions and features of:
Capillaries
Function - Used for the exchange of substances and minerals such as oxygen, carbon dioxide and other nutrients, with tissue all over the body
Features -
1. Have a large surface area
2. Branched
3. Narrow diameter and Lumen - decrease diffusion distance
4. Slow rate of blood flow - giving time for exchange
List the functions and features of:
Veins
Function - Carry deoxygenated blood (except for pulmonary vein) towards the heart
Feature -
1. Have thin elastic muscle layers and walls
2. Larger lumen
3. Always contain valves
List the functions and features of:
Arteries
Function - Carry oxygenated blood (except for the pulmonary artery) away from the heart)
Feature -
1. Has a thick muscle layer - to control volume
2. Thick elastic layer - to maintain high pressure
3. Smaller lumen
What are coronary arteries? How does coronary heart disease occur?
The coronary arteries carry oxygenated blood to the cardiac muscle
In coronary heart disease, cholesterol deposits in the lumen. This blocks oxygen flow leading to organ failure.
What are the component of blood?
- Plasma
- Red Blood Cells
- White Blood Cells
- Platelets
What is the plasma?
Plasma is the fluid in blood, making up about 55% of its volume. It is mostly water but also contains proteins, nutrients, hormones, and waste products.
Its main functions are:
- Transporting nutrients, hormones, and waste
- Supporting immune responses
- Aiding in blood clotting
- Regulating blood pressure
Explain the structure and functions of red blood cells.
Function - Carries oxygen from the lungs to the body and carbon dioxide from the body to the lungs
Structure -
1. Large surface area
2. Contains haemoglobin which picks up O2
3. Has no nucleus to make room for more oxygen
4. Can easily change shape and squeeze in vessels
5. Does not have mitochondria (to prevent respiration)
Explain the structure, and functions of white blood cells.
Function - Fights infections, produces antibodies, and regulates immune responses
Structure -
1. Larger than Red Blood Cells
2. Have a nucleus
3. Do not contain Haemoglobin
4. Contains mitochondria
5. Various shapes
Explain the types of White Blood Cells.
Lymphocytes -
1. Produce antibodies (protein)
2. These antibodies bind with antigens (either the whole pathogen (organisms with virus/bacteria or disease) OR some parts)
Phagocytes -
1. Allows pathogen to enter
2. Engulfs the pathogen in a phagosome
3. Releases digestive enzymes to destroy the pathogen
4. This process is known is phagocytosis
Explain the structure and functions of platelets.
Function - Helps in blood clotting
Structure - Fragments of cells
What is blood clotting (in reference to platelets)?
- Platelets are involved in clotting blood and forming scabs in places where the skin is cut or punctured
Process -
1. Blood vessels get damaged
2. Platelets get activated
3. Release clotting factors (soluble fibrin) + soluble fibrogen
