Blood structure

• Blood is made up of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets
• Plasma

  This is liquid that carries the components in the blood

  eg: red & white blood cells, platelets, glucose, amino acids etc
• Red blood cells

  • Carry oxygen molecules from the lungs to all the cells in the body
  • Have a biconcave disc shape that provides a large surface area
  • No nucleus to allow more room for oxygen
• White blood cells

  • Part of the immune system which is the body's defence against pathogens
  • Have a nucleus
• There are different types of white blood cells:

  1. Those that produce antibodies against microorganisms
  2. Those that engulf and digest pathogens
  3. Those that produce antitoxins to neutralize toxins
• Platelets

  • Small fragment of cells
  • No nucleus
  • They help the blood clot at the site of the wound, without them cuts would result in excessive bleeding and bruising