Blood 4.2.2.3 pt1

blood main components

plasma 55 percent, red blood cells 44 percent, white blood cells and platelets make up 1 percent

what is plasma

a pale yellow liquid that carries the blood cells and platelets around the body

what is a red blood cell

small biconcave cells which contain haemoglobin which bond with oxygen and carries it around the body

what is a white blood cell

phagocytes and lymphocytes which engulf and digest pathogens and produce antibodies.

what are platelets

these are broken down parts of cells which enable the blood to clot to prevent excess blood loss and microorganisms entering the wound. They are held together by fibrin proteins.

what does plasma transport

blood cells, platelets, hormones, dissolved food, dissolved salts, enzymes and waste products such as carbon dioxide and urea and heat energy

where are blood cells and platelets produced

bone marrow

how are red blood cells adapted for transport of oxygen

they don’t have a nucleus so more haemoglobin can fill the cell. They have a biconcave shape, so they have a large surface area for absorbing and releasing oxygen. They are filled with haemoglobin which reacts and bonds with oxygen, which then unbinds when the red blood cell reaches body tissues to release oxygen.

why is blood red

haemoglobin in red blood cells