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Blood Notes Bio

Notes about the topic blood

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mimisyeobo
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7 views

Blood Notes Bio

Notes about the topic blood

Uploaded by

mimisyeobo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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blood

Components of the Blood


The blood is a tissue that plays an important role in
the circulatory system. It has 4 main components (red blood
cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma) that all have
their own specific functions.

Red Blood Cells


Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to cells around the
body for aerobic respiration.

They contain a protein called haemoglobin which binds to


the oxygen to form oxyhaemoglobin. When arriving at a cell that
requires oxygen, oxyhaemoglobin splits back

blood 1
into haemoglobin and oxygen so the oxygen can diffuse into the
cell.
Red blood cells are adapted for efficient gas exchange because:

They have a biconcave shape which increases the surface


area for increased diffusion.

They are really small so can fit through small capillaries.

They have no nucleus to make room for lots of haemoglobin.

They have lots of haemoglobin to bind and carry lots


of oxygen.

There are about 20 trillion RBC in an adult human body. There


are about 5 million of them in every 1cm*3 of your blood.

White Blood Cells


White blood cells are an important part of the immune system as
they are responsible for identifying and destroying pathogens.
They do contain a nucleus.
There are two different types of white blood cell:

1. Phagocytes engulf and digest pathogens through phagocytosis.

2. Lymphocytes identify pathogens and produce antibodies that


bind to the antigens on pathogens and cause them to clump
together. This makes them easier to be engulfed
by phagocytes. Some lymphocytes also release antitoxins that
neutralise toxic substances produced by pathogens.

blood 2
Platelets

Platelets are fragments of cells produced in the bone


marrow that cause the blood to clot. They do not have a nucleus.
They are particularly important when the organism has a wound as
they stop blood from flowing out of the body and
stop pathogens getting into the body.

They do this by forming blood clots and scabs.


People who have few platelets are prone to excessive bleeding
and bruising.

Plasma
Plasma is a pale yellow liquid that transports everything in the
blood:

Red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Products from digestion of food such as glucose and amino


acids.

Waste products such as carbon dioxide and urea.

Hormones, proteins, antibodies and antitoxins.

blood 3
Carbon dioxide dissolves in blood plasma and is carried away
from cells. the blood takes it to the lungs, where the carbon
dioxide diffuses out and is breathed out in your expired air.

questions:
Question 1: Explain 2 ways that red blood cells are adapted for
efficient gas exchange?

Any 22 from:

Biconcave shape which increases surface area.

Very small so can fit through narrow capillaries.

No nucleus to make room for haemoglobin.

Lots of haemoglobin to carry lots of oxygen

Question 2: What is the main structural difference between a red


blood cell and a white blood cell?
Red blood cells do not contain a nucleus but white blood cells
do contain a nucleus.

Question 3: What is the main function of platelets?


Platelets cause blood to clot.

This stops blood pouring out of wounds and stops pathogens


getting in.

blood 4

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