Functions of the blood including white blood cells

• what are the 4 main components of blood ?

  • plasma
  • platelets
  • red blood cells
  • white blood cells
• why are red blood cells red ?

  because of the haemoglobin
• what do red blood cells do ?

  they transport oxygen from the lungs to all the cells in the body
• how is a red blood cell well adapted to its function ?

  • have small biconcave shape for a larger surface area to absorb and release oxygen
  • they contain haemoglobin giving it its colour containing a lot of iron
  • do not have a nucleus to free up more space for haemoglobin to carry more oxygen
• what is plasma ?


  pale yellow liquid which carries everything needed for transport around the body
• what does plasma contain ?

  • red blood cells
  • white blood cells
  • platelets
  • glucose and amino acids
  • carbon dioxide
  • urea
  • hormones
  • heat energy
• what is the main role of the immune system ?

  destroy pathogens that enter the body and prevent them from reproducing
• what is the main component of the immune system?

  White blood cells
• what are the 2 types of white blood cells ?

  phagocytes and lymphocytes
• what is the role of phagocytes ?

  To engulf and destroy pathogens or foreign particles in the body
• what is the role of lymphocytes ?


  produces proteins and antibodies, antibodies flow around the body to mark all similar pathogens
• what type of cells are produced in response to foreign antigen ?

  memory cells