Blood

Composition of Blood
Plasma
Red Blood
Cells
White Blood
Cells
Platelets

Liquid part of the blood

3 Types of Blood Cell

Functions of blood parts

Plasma
Composed of mainly water which
acts as a transport medium for the
cells and dissolved substances
Red Blood
Cells
White Blood
Cells
Platelets

Carry Oxygen
Fight Infection
Clotting

Red Blood Cells (Erythrocyctes)

Biconcave discs
gives large
surface area
No Nucleus (red blood
corpuscles)

No
mitochondria
Contain Haemoglobin(has a high affinity for
oxygen)
stored in liver

Flexible Cell
membranes
Made in bone marrow of ribs &
sternum

Red Blood Cells

When blood cells first produced they
have a nucleus but lose it after a few
days (red blood corpuscles)
Only live for about 4 months
Broken down in liver and spleen
Haemoglobin stored in liver
Rest converted to bile pigments e.g.
biliverdin and bilirubin

PLATELETS
Cell fragments
No nucleus
Made in
bone
marrow
Function in clotting

Plasma
Composed of mainly water which as a
transport medium for the cells and
dissolved substances and heat
Dissolved substances include
Digestion products
.Glucose, amino acids,
Fatty acids, glycerol,
minerals and vitamins
Waste.Carbon dioxide, urea
Hormones.eg Insulin
Antibodies

White Blood Cells

Have a Nucleus
No definite shape
Formed in bone
marrow and mature in
spleen
Protect against disease
Two types

1. Lymphocytes
Produce antibodies
2. Monocytes
Large round nucleus Engulf micororganisms

Macrophages

Kidney shaped nucleus

Antibodies
These are proteins our white blood
cells make which stick to the foreign
chemical (antigen) and mark it for
destruction by other defence cells.
An Antigen is any chemical that
triggers our body to make antibodies
against it.

Antibody blocking bacteria

attachment

Phagocytic White Blood Cell

Monocyte

White Blood Cells

White cell
Germ

Eating
germ

Germ
(antigen)

Antibody

4 Blood Groups
Group

A
B
AB
O

It is essential to
know a persons
blood group for
safe blood
transfusions

ABO Blood Groups

Type A

Type AB

Type B

B
A

Antigen

Type O

Blood Transfusions

Rhesus Factor
Another blood grouping system
Involves antigen called factor D on the red
cells
If you have factor D you are Rhesus positive or
Rh+
If you havent you are Rhesus negative or RhRhesus factor is important in pregnancy as
problems may arise in second and further

The Rhesus factor and Pregnancy