Unit 3 - Blood and blood vessels Flashcards
What is plasma?
Liquid component of blood
What is the function of plasma?
Transports dissolved substances e.g glucose, amino acids, mineral ions, hormones, albumin and fibrinogens
Why is albumin important?
It helps to maintain osmotic pressure
Why are fibrinogens important?
Involved in blood clotting
What are platelets?
Small fragments of cells
Which is the function of platelets?
Start the process of blood clotting
What triggers blood clotting?
- a rough surface
- exposure to air
What is the function of erythrocytes?
-carry oxygen and carbon dioxide around the blood
What are the characteristics of granulocytes?
- lobed nucleus
- granular cytoplasm
What are the characteristics of monocytes?
- kidney bean shaped nucleus
- cytoplasm not granular
What are the characteristics of lymphocytes?
- large round nucleus
- cytoplasm not granularr
What is the function of granulocytes?
- some phagocytic
- involved in allergy/inflammation
What is the function of monocytes?
-involved in defence against pathogens
What is the function of lymphocytes?
-produces new antibodies
What are the functions of blood as a whole?
- transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from respiring cells
- transport hormones
- transport nitrogenous waste products from cells to excretory organs
- transporting cells and antibodies involved in the immune response
- helps to maintain steady body temperature
- acts as a buffer to minimise pH changes
What are the 3 layers of arteries called?
Tunica intima
Tunica media
Tunica externa
What makes up the tunica initima?
squamous epithelial
What are the functions of the arteries?
Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart apart from the pulmonary artery