Structure + Function Of Blood Flashcards
(32 cards)
Describe the structure of blood?
Consists of:
Plasma (fluid)
Cells=> red cells, white cells, platelets
What is another name for red blood cells?
Erythrocytes
Describe the structure of red blood cells?
Biconcave discs which gives larger surface area for exchange of oxygen + helps with flexibility when they go through capillaries
No nucleus + don’t contain DNA, RNA or mitochondria
Metabolically active despite no mitochondria
What is another name for white blood cells?
Leukocytes
What are 2 most common types of white blood cells?
Neutrophils
Lymphocytes
Describe the structure of neutrophil?
Polymorphonuclear=> irregular, multi-lobed nucleus
Granulocyte=> prominent cytoplasmic granules
What are 2 other types of granulocytes?
Eosinophil
Basophil
Describe the structure of mononuclear cells?
Single round nucleus
Lacks granules
Large, regular nuclei
What are 2 types of mononuclear cells?
Monocytes (largest type of WBC)
Lymphocytes
What is another name for platelets?
Thrombocytes
Describe the structure of platelets?
Clotting cells Cytoplasmic fragments No nucleus Membrane bound Contain granules
Where do blood cells come from?
Mature blood cells are produced from stem cells in bone marrow
What is plasma?
Fluid containing: Water Salts Proteins Organic molecules e.g.metabolites, carbohydrates + lipids
What are ionic constituents of plasma?
Positive ions (cations) e.g. sodium, potassium,calcium, magnesium + hydrogen ions Negative ions (anions) e.g. chloride, bicarbonate, phosphate, sulphate + organic anions
What is difference between plasma and serum?
Plasma= fluid component of whole blood Serum= fluid left after blood clotting
What are functions of blood?
Transport
Defence
Homeostasis
What is function of erythrocytes?
Transport oxygen from lungs to body tissues
Help in removal of CO2 from body tissues to lungs
Most CO2 carried as bicarbonate in plasma
Major constituents is protein Hb
Hb binds oxygen
Carries it from lungs to tissues
Describe the structure of haemoglobin?
Is protein tetramer made up of 4 polypeptide chains- 2 alpha globin chains and 2 beta globin chains
Each globin chain carries a haem molecule
Oxygen binds reversibly to iron atom by coordination
Process by which haemoglobin carries oxygen is no oxidation but it’s oxygenation
Give an example of transport
Albumin acts as general purpose carrier
But many substances have specialised carrier e.g. thyroxine binding globulin, transferrin
Immune system is divided into
Innate immune system
Adaptive immune system
How is neutrophil involved in immunity?
Primary defence especially against bacteria + fungi
Phagocytose + kill bacteria + fungi
Main mediators of innate immunity
How is lymphocytes involved in immunity?
Main mediators of adaptive immunity
Produce antibodies
Kill virus infected cells
What do eosinophil do?
Kill parasites
Involved in allergic responses
What do basophils do?
Kill parasites
Involved in allergic responses
Involved in inflammation