blood

• what substance carries the different components of blood around the body?

  plasma
• what are some substances are transported by the plasma?

  • red blood cells
  • white blood cells
  • platelets
  • glucose
  • amino acids
  • carbon dioxide
  • urea
  • hormones
• what is plasma?

  yellow liquid in the blood that transports substances around the body
• what is the function of red blood cells?

  transport oxygen around the body
• how are red blood cells adapted for their function?

  • their shape is a bioconcave disk - large surface area for absorbing oxygen
  • no nucleus - more room to carry oxygen
  • contain a red pigment called haemoglobin - binds to oxygen in lungs to become oxyhaemoglobin
• function of white blood cells

  form part of the immune system, protecting the body from pathogens
• function of platelets


  small cell fragments which help the blood to clot at a wound
• why are platelets good?

  • prevent excessive bleeding & bruising
  • stops microorganisms getting in