Lesson 4: Blood Composition Flashcards
(32 cards)
(in general) what are the three main roles of blood
transport, protection, regulation
what does blood do in terms of transport
acts as a carrier for nutrients, wastes, and signal molecules
what does blood do in terms of protection
carries immune cells that protect the body and respond to infection
what does blood do in terms of regulation
it maintains body temperature by dispersing heat
what are the main components of blood
plasma and formed elements
what counts for 55 percent of our blood’s composition
plasma
what is plasma composed of
organic and inorganic molecules dissolved in water
what counts for 45 percent of our blood’s composition
formed elements
what are formed elements composed of
erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets
what are erythrocytes
red blood cells
what are leukocytes
white blood cells
what are erythrocytes specialized to do
carry oxygen to/carbon dioxide away from the tissues
what do mature erythrocytes lack
a nucleus
for mature RBCs, what is the benefit of possessing a disc-like shape with a concave center
increases surface area and flexibility of the cells to allow more efficient movement through capillary beds
what is the benefit of having hemoglobin in erythrocytes
it makes them capable of carrying oxygen
what is hemoglobin composed of
4 polypeptide chains, with each of them associated with a complex iron-containing group called heme. it has 4 iron atoms also.
what are the 4 iron atoms in the hemoglobin capable of doing
bonding to 4 oxygen gas and could bond to 4 carbon dioxide molecules
how are leukocytes different from erythrocytes
they have a nucleus, are larger, and they have a lack of hemoglobin
what is the task that leukocytes are assigned to
immune response
how can leukocytes be grouped based on
by whether or not they have granules in their system
what are granules
small vesicles that contain specific enzymes and proteins
what are the granular leukocytes
neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils
what are the agranular leukocytes
monocytes and lymphocytes
what is the function of neutrophils
to phagocytize(devour) and digest bacteria
