Circulatory System - Blood

Question 1

what is the more scientific word for blood

Answer 1

erythrocytes

Question 2

what is the job of red blood cells

Answer 2

to carry oxygen from the lungs to all the cells in the body

Question 3

what is the shape of a red blood cell

Answer 3

a biconcave disc shape (plump disc squished at the middle)

Question 4

what is the effect of a red blood cell being shaped the way it is

Answer 4

the disc shape gives it a larger surface area for absorbing oxygen

Question 5

do red blood cells have a nucleus or not, and why

Answer 5

• they dont

- this allows for more room to carry oxygen

Question 6

what do red blood cells contain that make them red

Answer 6

a red pigment called haemoglobin, which contains iron

Question 7

how does haemoglobin in the red blood cells interact with the lungs

Answer 7

in the lungs, haemoglobin binds to oxygen to become oxyhaemoglobin

Question 8

how does haemoglobin in the red blood cells interact with the rest of the body

Answer 8

in body tissues, oxyhaemoglobin splits up into haemoglobin and oxygen to release oxygen to the cells

Question 9

why do people living in high altitudes generally have better physical capabilities than people living at normal altitudes

Answer 9

• the more red blood cells you have, the more oxygen that gets to your cells
• at high altitudes theres less oxygen in the air
• so people who live in high altitudes produce more blood cells to compensate for low oxygen levels
• meaning, when at a normal altitude, you have more blood vessels to carry oxygen to cells

Question 10

what are phagoctyes

Answer 10

white blood cells that can change shape of engulf unwelcome microorganisms

Question 11

what is the process by which phagocytes engulf microorganisms called

Answer 11

phagocytosis

Question 12

what are lymphocytes

Answer 12

white blood cells that produce antibodies against microorganisms
- some also produce antitoxins to neutralise any toxins produced by microorgansisms

Question 13

when would a blood test show a high white blood cell count in your body

Answer 13

• if you have an infection

- because your white blood cells multiply to fight it off

Question 14

what do white blood cells have that red blood cells dont

Answer 14

a nucleus

Question 15

what is an adaptation of the white blood cell has to function

Answer 15

it has irregular cytoplasm so it can change shape and engulf microogranisms

Question 16

what are platlets

Answer 16

small fragments of cells with no nucleus

Question 17

what do platlets do

Answer 17

• they help the blood to clot at a wound

- to stop your blood pouring out and to stop microorganisms getting in

Question 18

what can a lack of platlets result in

Answer 18

excessive bleeding and bruising

Question 19

what is plasma

Answer 19

a pale straw-coloured liquid which carries pretty much everything

Question 20

what are the things that plasma carry

Answer 20

• red and white blood cells
• platlets
• nutrients like glucose and amino acids
• carbon dioxide
• urea form liver to kidneys
• hormones
• proteins
• antibodies and antitoxins (white blood cells)