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Questions and Answers
What is the main function of white blood cells (WBCs)?
What is the main function of white blood cells (WBCs)?
Which part of the blood is primarily responsible for clotting?
Which part of the blood is primarily responsible for clotting?
What adaptation do red blood cells (RBCs) have to maximize surface area for oxygen transport?
What adaptation do red blood cells (RBCs) have to maximize surface area for oxygen transport?
Which component of blood is mostly water and acts as a solvent?
Which component of blood is mostly water and acts as a solvent?
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What is the purpose of transporting heat from internal organs to plasma in the blood?
What is the purpose of transporting heat from internal organs to plasma in the blood?
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What happens if a blood transfusion does not match the recipient's blood group?
What happens if a blood transfusion does not match the recipient's blood group?
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Which type of white blood cell is responsible for producing antibodies?
Which type of white blood cell is responsible for producing antibodies?
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Why is the Rhesus factor important in blood typing?
Why is the Rhesus factor important in blood typing?
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Study Notes
Blood Composition
- Blood is a tissue consisting of many cells working together, with functions including transportation of oxygen, waste products, and hormones, as well as heat transport from internal organs to plasma.
- Blood has four main parts: plasma, red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets.
Plasma
- Plasma is the yellow liquid part of blood, making up approximately 55% of blood volume.
- Functions of plasma include:
- Transporting RBCs, WBCs, platelets, and hormones around the body.
- Transporting heat around the body.
- Acting as an excellent solvent, mainly composed of water (approximately 92%).
Red Blood Cells (RBCs)
- Produced in red bone marrow.
- Lacking a nucleus, RBCs are unique in this characteristic.
- Functions:
- Transporting oxygen around the body.
- Adaptations for oxygen transport:
- Biconcave shape for maximum surface area.
- Containing iron pigment hemoglobin to carry oxygen.
- Flexibility to prevent damage.
White Blood Cells (WBCs)
- Produced in bone marrow.
- Lacking a definite shape, WBCs change shape to fit through narrow spaces.
- Functions:
- Fighting infection.
- Two main types of WBCs:
- Lymphocytes: primarily active in the lymphatic system, producing antibodies and engulfing pathogens.
- Monocytes (Macrophages): found throughout the body, engulfing and destroying pathogens.
Platelets
- Produced in bone marrow.
- Function: clotting blood to reduce blood loss and prevent micro-organism entry.
- Importance: Haemophiliacs are unable to form blood clots.
Blood Groups and Rhesus Factor
- Four main blood groups: A, B, AB, and O.
- Importance of matching blood types in transfusions to prevent harm to recipients.
- Rhesus factor: 85% of Irish people have this antigen on their RBCs.
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Description
Explore the functions and composition of blood as a tissue, including the roles of plasma, red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. Learn how blood transports oxygen, waste products, hormones, and heat throughout the body.
