Plasma
What is the main component of blood plasma?
Water
What is the main function of red blood cells?
To transport oxygen.
What is the main role of white blood cells?
To defend the body against pathogens.
What is the function of platelets?
Blood clotting.
What are the four main blood groups?
A, B, AB, O.
What is one substance that plasma transports in the body?
Nutrients, hormones, or waste products.
What molecule in red blood cells carries oxygen?
Hemoglobin
Name one type of white blood cell.
Lymphocytes, monocytes, or granulocytes.
What happens when a blood vessel is damaged?
Platelets stick to the site and form a plug.
Which blood group has no antigens?
O
What are the three main plasma proteins?
Albumin, globulins, and fibrinogen.
Describe the shape of a red blood cell.
Biconcave (curved inward on both sides).
What do lymphocytes do?
They produce antibodies or destroy infected cells.
What is fibrin?
A protein that forms a mesh to stabilize blood clots.
What are antibodies in blood?
Proteins that react to foreign antigens.
What is the function of albumin in the blood?
Maintains osmotic pressure and fluid balance and also transport substances (hormones, fats)
Why do red blood cells not have a nucleus?
To allow more space for hemoglobin and oxygen transport.
Why can white blood cells leave the bloodstream?
To reach and fight infections in tissues.
Describe the steps of blood clotting in simple terms.
Damage → platelets activate → stick together and to damaged vessel → clotting cascade → constricts vessel → fibrinogen activates formation of fibrin → forms mesh/strands → red cells, platelets and plasma get stuck to strands → clot
How different blood types can be classified? Based on what?
Human red blood cells have molecules on their surface (called blood group antigens) and people with a different blood group have antibodies in their blood plasma against these surface molecules. If a person is given red blood cells from a different blood group, their antibodies react with the antigens, which can lead to blood clumping (agglutination) as the antibodies bind to the antigens.
Explain how plasma proteins help maintain fluid balance between blood and tissues.
They are too large to leave capillaries, so they keep water in the bloodstream by osmotic pressure.
Explain how low oxygen levels in the body lead to increased production of red blood cells.
Low oxygen triggers kidneys to release EPO, which stimulates bone marrow to produce more red blood cells.
Compare two different ways white blood cells defend the body against pathogens.
Some engulf pathogens (phagocytosis), others produce antibodies or kill infected cells.
Explain why both clotting factors and anticoagulants are needed in the body.
Clotting stops bleeding, anticoagulants prevent excessive clotting.
Explain why a person with blood group AB can receive blood from all other groups.
They have no antibodies against A or B antigens.