Blood

• What is one of the jobs of the circulatory system?

  To act as a huge transport system
• What are the four main components in blood?

  • Red blood cells
  • White blood cells
  • Platelets
  • Plasma
• What do red blood cells carry?

  Oxygen
• What is the job of red blood cells, also called erythrocytes?

  To carry oxygen from the lungs to cells
• What shape do red blood cells have?

  Bioconcave disc shape
• Why do red blood cells have a bioconcave shape?

  To give a large surface area for absorbing oxygen
• Why don't red blood cells have a nucleus?

  To allow more room to carry oxygen
• What pigment do red blood cells contain?

  Hemoglobin
• What does hemoglobin contain that is essential for its function?

  Iron
• What happens to hemoglobin in the lungs?

  It binds to oxygen to form oxyhemoglobin
• What happens to oxyhemoglobin in body tissues?

  It splits into hemoglobin and releases oxygen
• What do white blood cells do?

  Defend against infection
• What are phagocytes?

  White blood cells that engulf pathogens
• What are lymphocytes?

  White blood cells that produce antibodies
• What do antibodies do?

  Neutralize pathogens
• What happens when you have an infection?

  White blood cells multiply to fight it
• What are platelets responsible for?

  Blood clotting
• How do platelets help stop bleeding?

  They clump together to form a clot
• What are the main functions of blood?

  • Transport oxygen and nutrients
  • Remove waste products
  • Defend against infection
  • Regulate body temperature
• What is plasma?

  The liquid component of blood
• What does plasma transport?

  Nutrients, hormones, and waste products
• What is the role of the circulatory system?

  To transport substances throughout the body
• How does the circulatory system help maintain homeostasis?

  By regulating temperature and pH levels
• How do the functions of red blood cells differ from white blood cells?

  Red blood cells transport oxygen; white blood cells fight infection
• What is the relationship between hemoglobin and oxygen transport?

  Hemoglobin binds oxygen for transport in blood
• How do platelets and white blood cells work together during an infection?

  Platelets clot blood; white blood cells fight pathogens
• If a person has a high white blood cell count, what might this indicate?

  Possible infection or inflammation
• What would happen if red blood cells lacked hemoglobin?

  They would be unable to transport oxygen
• How might the shape of red blood cells affect their function?

  A bioconcave shape increases oxygen absorption
• What could be a consequence of having too few platelets?

  Increased risk of excessive bleeding
• How does the body respond to an infection?

  By increasing white blood cell production
• What is the significance of the bioconcave shape of red blood cells in relation to their function?

  It maximizes surface area for oxygen absorption
• How do the roles of plasma differ from those of red blood cells?

  Plasma transports substances; red blood cells carry oxygen
• If a patient has low hemoglobin levels, what might be a potential issue?

  Reduced oxygen transport in the body
• What might a high platelet count indicate?

  Possible risk of blood clots
• How do the functions of lymphocytes and phagocytes complement each other?

  Lymphocytes produce antibodies; phagocytes engulf pathogens
• What is the relationship between blood clotting and infection response?

  Clotting prevents blood loss; immune response fights pathogens
• How does the body maintain homeostasis through the circulatory system?

  By regulating temperature and pH levels
• What is the primary function of the circulatory system?

  To transport substances throughout the body
• How does the circulatory system contribute to the immune response?

  By transporting white blood cells to sites of infection