Biology Circulatory system Blood

• What are the four main components of blood?

  Red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, plasma
• What is the role of red blood cells (RBC)?

  • Carry oxygen from lungs to tissues
  • Contain hemoglobin for oxygen transport
  • Form oxyhemoglobin to deliver oxygen
• What is hemoglobin's function in red blood cells?

  It binds oxygen to form oxyhemoglobin
• How do red blood cells release oxygen to tissues?

  Oxyhemoglobin splits into hemoglobin and oxygen
• What are the two adaptations of red blood cells?

  They lack a nucleus and are biconcave
• Why do red blood cells lack a nucleus?

  To provide more space for hemoglobin
• What shape do red blood cells have and why?

  They are biconcave for a large surface area
• What percentage of blood do white blood cells make up?

  Less than 1%
• What are the functions of white blood cells?

  • Defend against infection
  • Perform phagocytosis to engulf pathogens
  • Produce antibodies to destroy pathogens
  • Produce antitoxins to neutralize toxins
• Do white blood cells have a nucleus?

  Yes, they have a nucleus
• What is phagocytosis?

  Engulfing or consuming microorganisms
• What do antibodies do?

  Bind to pathogens and help destroy them
• What are antitoxins?

  Substances that neutralize toxins from pathogens
• What are platelets?

  Small fragments of cells without a nucleus
• What is the function of platelets?

  To aid in blood clotting at wounds
• What is the process called when platelets help stop bleeding?

  Clotting
• Why are platelets important besides stopping blood loss?

  They prevent microorganisms from entering wounds
• What is plasma?

  A pale straw-colored liquid in blood
• What does plasma carry in the blood?

  • Red blood cells
  • White blood cells
  • Platelets
  • Nutrients (glucose, amino acids)
  • Waste products (carbon dioxide, urea)
  • Hormones, proteins, antibodies, antitoxins
• How much blood does an average adult have?

  About 5 liters
• What happens if blood volume drops too much?

  Insufficient oxygen delivery to tissues
• What are the two types of blood replacement?

  1. Artificial blood

  • Saltwater solution
  • Adds volume but no red blood cells

  1. Blood transfusion

  • Real blood from donors
  • Contains red blood cells for oxygen transport
• What is the main benefit of artificial blood?

  It adds volume to the circulatory system
• What is a limitation of artificial blood?

  It doesn't transport oxygen effectively
• What is the key advantage of a blood transfusion?

  It provides real red blood cells