Unit 2 - Transport systems in animals Flashcards
What is in the circulatory system?
The heart, blood and blood vessels
What is the circulatory systems main function?
To transport oxygen and nutrients to the cells of the body
What are the three main parts of blood?
Plasma, red blood cells and white blood cells
What is plasma?
The liquid part of blood that carries many substances such as sugars, salts, amino acids, proteins, vitamins, water and carbon dioxide
What is the role of the red blood cells?
To transport oxygen around the body
What is the role of white blood cells?
To fight off infection as part of the immune system and are involved in destroying pathogens
What are pathogens?
Disease causing microorganisms (bacteria, viruses and fungi)
What are the two types of white blood cells?
Phagocytes and lymphocytes
What are phagocytes?
They engulf pathogens and digest them. This process destroys the pathogen, it is called phagocytosis
What are lymphocytes?
They destroy pathogens by producing antibodies. Each antibody is specific to a particular function
What is the wall of the heart made of?
Cardiac muscle
What side of the heart pumps oxygenated blood?
Left side
What side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood?
Right side
What is the role of valves in the heart?
Valves prevent the backflow of blood
What is the coronary artery?
It provides a supply of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. If this is blocked it results in a heart attack.
Describe the structure of red blood cells
Biconcave
How does the structure of a red blood cell help it carry out its function?
The biconcave structure gives the cell a large surface area, for effective transport of oxygen and nutrients. They also don’t have a nucleus so there is more space for haemoglobin.
What is haemoglobin and what is its role?
It is a protein in red blood cells which binds oxygen, allowing it to be transported
What is the role of arteries?
To carry oxygenated blood away from the heart
Describe the structure of arteries
Thick muscular wall, narrow central cavity and carries blood at high pressures
What is the role of veins?
To carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart
Describe the structure of veins
Thin muscular wall, wide central cavity, with valves carrying blood at a low pressure.
What is the role of capillaries?
To exchange nutrients between blood and tissues while connecting arteries and veins together
Describe the structure of capillaries
Single cell wall and very small making them efficient to transport nutrients
