Transport System & Blood Flashcards
Why Do Organisms Need Transport Systems?
Organisms exchange materials with the environment and distribute substances within their bodies for:
Distribution of energy and nutrients.
Oxygen intake and carbon dioxide removal.
Elimination of toxic materials and waste.
Transport of hormones and regulatory substances.
Types of Transport Systems
Transport systems differ across organisms depending on their complexity:
Unicellular Organisms
Example: Amoeba
Uses cytoplasmic streaming to transport materials.
Food vacuoles distribute nutrients.
Contractile vacuoles remove excess water.
Simple Multicellular Organisms
Example: Hydra
Water enters through the mouth, and nutrients are distributed via the body cavity.
The body wall also exchanges materials with the surrounding water.
Plants
Use xylem (water and minerals) and phloem (sugars) for transport.
Stomata regulate water loss through transpiration.
Animals
Have circulatory systems:
Open system: Circulatory fluid (e.g., hemolymph) bathes tissues directly.
Closed system: Blood remains within vessels and is pumped by the heart.
Human Circulatory System
The human circulatory system includes:
Heart: Pumps blood.
Blood Vessels: Transport blood.
Blood: The circulatory fluid.
Composition of Blood
Plasma (55%)
Mainly water (92%) with dissolved salts, proteins (antibodies, fibrinogen, albumin), and nutrients.
Maintains pH and transports hormones, gases, and wastes.
Cellular Content (45%)
Red Blood Cells (RBCs): Transport oxygen using hemoglobin.
White Blood Cells (WBCs): Fight infections.
Agranulocytes: Monocytes, lymphocytes.
Granulocytes: Neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils.
Platelets: Assist in blood clotting.
Blood Groups and Transfusion
ABO Blood Group System
Based on antigens A and B on RBCs and corresponding antibodies.
Universal Donor: O negative (no antigens).
Universal Acceptor: AB positive (all antigens present).
Rh Factor
Presence (+) or absence (-) of Rh antigen.
Blood Transfusion: Matching blood groups is critical to avoid agglutination reactions.
