1.1 Transport Around The Body { The Role Of Blood }

Front 1

The components of blood

Back 1

– Plasma, - mainly water, has a wide range of dissolved of dissolved substances, Fibrinogen vital for clotting

Erythrocytes – Biconcave discs, 5 million per 1 mm of blood, formed in the bone marrow and short bones. Contain haemoglobin, red in colour. Lifespan 120 days

Leucocytes – much larger, about 4000 to 11000 per mm of blood, formed in bone marrow of long bone and femur in the leg, lymphocytes are however formed in the lymph glands and spleen. Defence

Platelets – tiny fragments of cells called megakaryocytes. Involved in clotting

Front 2

The main functions of blood

Back 2

• Transport of food substances to the cells as needed

• Transport of excretory products e.g. CO2 and urea to the cells that excreate them

• Transport of hormones

• Help to maintain a steady body temperature by distribution of heat

• Acts as a buffer to pH changes

•transports digested food products (eg glucose and
amino acids) from the small intestine to all the
parts of the body where they are needed either for
immediate use or storage

Front 3

red blood cells

Back 3

transport oxygen from the lungs
to all the cells. They are well adapted for transporting
oxygen. The shape of the cells – a biconcave disc
– means that they have a large surface area to volume
ratio, so oxygen can diffuse into and out of them
rapidly. Having no nucleus leaves all the space inside
the cells for the haemoglobin molecules that carry the
oxygen.

Front 4

white blood cells defend against disease in two main ways:

Back 4

• Some types make antibodies which destroy
pathogens or antitoxins which neutralise the
poisons (toxins) made by pathogens. Once the
body has encountered a pathogen, these white cells
can make antibodies to this pathogen very quickly
if it invades again. This is the basis of the body’s
immunity to diseases.
• Some white blood cells engulf and digest pathogens
in a process known as phagocytosis

Front 5

Substances move between the plasma or red blood cells and the body cells by ...

Back 5

diffusion or active transport.

Front 6

How well adapted are Erythrocytes

Back 6

• Biconcave shape enhances more surface area to volume ratio • No nucleus mean more space created to pack haemoglobin
• Numerous on the blood, 5 mill per mm of blood

• Leucocytes – some makes antibodies which destroy pathogens • Some engulf the pathogen itself. (phagocytosis.)