Blood Flashcards
(29 cards)
What percentage of blood is plasma?
55%
What are the main components of plasma?
Water, urea, glucose, protein, amino acids, carbon dioxide
What percentage of blood is made up of red blood cells?
44%
What is another name for red blood cells?
Erythrocyte
What shape do red blood cells have?
Flattened bi-concave shape
Why do red blood cells have a bi-concave shape?
To provide a larger surface area to volume ratio for efficient gas exchange
What is the function of haemoglobin in red blood cells?
Transporting oxygen
Do red blood cells have a nucleus or organelles?
No
What is the diameter range of red blood cells?
6-8 um
Why is the diameter of red blood cells larger than capillary diameter?
To slow blood flow and enable diffusion of oxygen
Why do red blood cells not have organelles?
To maximise space for the oxygen to be stored and transported.
What is the function of plasma in the blood?
Plasma transports carbon dioxide and products of digestion.
What do red blood cells transport?
Red blood cells transport most of the oxygen.
What is the role of platelets?
Platelets help blood to clot at wounds.
What do white blood cells do?
White blood cells defend the body against micro-organisms.
What are the three major types of blood vessels?
The three major types of blood vessels are arteries, veins, and capillaries.
Describe the structure of arteries.
Arteries have thick walls and muscle, are dangerous if cut, and carry blood from the heart to organs.
What is the color of oxygenated blood?
The blood is red when oxygenated.
What can you tell from your pulse?
You can tell your pulse from arteries, which spill blood every time the heart beats.
What is the structure of veins?
Veins have thinner walls and valves to stop backflow of blood.
How is blood returned to the heart from the organs?
The blood is squeezed back by the heart to skeletal muscles.
What color is de-oxygenated blood?
De-oxygenated blood has a purple-red color.
Do veins have a pulse?
No, veins do not have a pulse.
What are capillaries?
Capillaries are narrow vessels with very thin walls (single cell thick).
They enable glucose and oxygen to diffuse from cells and form a huge network of tiny vessels.
