Name the 4 components of the blood.

  1. Red blood cells.
  2. White blood cells.
  3. Platelets.
  4. Plasma.

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What is blood plasma?

A yellow liquid within blood that transports substances around the body.

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Which substances are dissolved in the blood plasma?

  1. Nutrients - glucose, amino acids, fatty acid, and glycerol.
  2. Waste products - carbon dioxide and urea.
  3. Other - antibodies and hormones.


4Plasma also transports red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, but these are not dissolved in the plasma.

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What is the role of red blood cells in blood?

To transport of oxygen around the body.

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How are red blood cells adapted to their function?

  1. Contain haemoglobin - which binds to oxygen.


  1. Biconcave shape - which increases the surface area to volume ratio.


  1. No nucleus - so can fit more haemoglobin in the cell.

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What is the role of white blood cells in blood?

They form part of the immune system, which protects the body from invading pathogens, such as bacteria or viruses.

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How are white blood cells adapted for their function?

  1. Some can produce antibodies.
  2. Some can produce antitoxins.
  3. Some can engulf and digest pathogens ('phagocytosis').

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What is the role of platelets in blood?

Platelets are small cell fragments (so have no nucleus), which help the blood to clot at the site of a wound.

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Give two reasons why blood clotting is important.

  1. It prevents blood from leaving the bloodstream.


  1. It prevents microorganisms from entering the bloodstream (which could cause infection). 

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