TOPIC 1: Blood & Blood Clotting

What is blood made of?

• Plasma

• Erythrocytes (red blood cells)

• White blood cells - lymphocytes & phagocytes

What are the two types of white blood cells?

1. Phagocytes

2. Lymphocytes

What is the function of white blood cells?

Help fight against the pathogens that might enter the body

What is the function of red blood cells?

Contain haemoglobin, which carries oxygen around the body

What is the function of plasma?

Yellow part of the blood which contains dissolved chemicals, eg, glucose

What is the function of platelets?

Help clot the blood

What are the structures of Erythocytes/ Red blood cells?

1. Biconcave shape

2. No nucleus

3. Haemoglobin

4. Flexible cell membrane

What is the importance of RBC having a biconcave shape?

• Large SA to volume ratio- allows more rapid diffusion of oxygen into and out of cell.

What is the importance of RBC having no nucleus?

• Provides more space in the cell = contain more haemoglobin= more oxygen can be transported

What is the importance of RBC containing haemoglobin?

• Molecule that binds to oxygen in the lungs and binds to oxygen in the tissues

What is the importance of RBC having a flexible cell membrane?

• Allows fell to change shape= squeeze through small capillaries= blood cells carrying oxygen reaches all cells

What is the function of lymphocytes?

Produces and secretes antibodies that bind to foreign cells, which helps to destroy them

What is the function of phagocytes?

Engulfs foreign cells (phagocytosis)

What is the function of platelets?

Produces substances needed to clot the blood in site of an injury

What else does plasma carry?

1. Glucose

2. CO2

3. Urea