Learn

All Term

Image - Click to enlarge

Definition - What it is

Function - What it does

Mechanics - How it works

Example -Where it's used

Going Deeper - Clever stuff

Play Video - More Information

Red Blood Cells

erythrocytes

White Blood Cells

leukocytes

Platelets

thrombocytes

Plasma

fluid

Lymphocytes

B & T Cells

Granulocytes

neutophils eosinophils basophils

Monocytes

macrophages

are the most common element in our blood. They appear as a flexible concave disc that make up 99% blood. They are rich in haemoglobin, are an iron containing molecule and responsible for making the colour of the blood red.

This element is involved is the transportation of oxygen. The haemoglobin absorbs oxygen in the lungs, travels through blood vessels and brings oxygen to all other cells via the heart. They also carry waste products out of the body.

This element develops in the bone marrow and circulates around the body for around 100-120 days before being recycled by macrophages.

"New red blood cells are of course continually manufactured and this also takes place within the bone marrow."

2.4 million new RBC are produce every second.They do not have a nucleus because they do not contain genetic information.

are the cells of the immune system and make up 1% of the total blood volume. They have no haemoglobin but do contain a nucleus.

This element is involved in defending the body against disease and foreign materials. Many are found outside of the blood in the tissues, where they fight infection.

This element circulate in the blood so they can be transported to an area where an infection has developed.

"T cells are a type of white blood cell that mediate the immune system's response to viral invaders"

White blood levels are usually lower at rest and more during physical exercise.

are small irregular shaped cells involved in the formation on blood clots.

This element circulates within our blood and binds together when they recognize damaged blood vessels.

This element clumps together using to form a plug. They sense the presence of air when bleeding occurs which starts the clotting process.

"When a cut occurs, platelets are working to form a clot to stop the bleeding"

A healthy diet is important to provide nutrients important for clotting. Such as calcium and vitamin K.

is the medium in which blood cells are carried around the body. This element is made up of 90% water & the other 10% contain dissolved electrolytes, blood plasma proteins and hormones.

This element carries the blood cells around the body, maintains body temperature and control ph of the blood and body tissues.

The liquid substance carries all of these cells throughout the body and transports other important biomolecules when needed.

" Plasma in the blood is the fluid used to transport the oxygenated blood to the heart"

Plasma can be used to treat patients with clotting problems.

are the fundamental white blood cells in the immune system.

This element protects the body of large pathogenic organisms.

These cells secrete antibodies which are proteins that bind to foreign bodies and cause destruction. Viral infections or cancerous cells are their targets.

"When the body manages to fight an infection and develop its own immunity, lymphocytes assist this process"

Very small cells formed in the lymphatic tissue in organs such as the tonsils, thymus, spleen and lymph nodes.

are white blood cells that are used for allergy and other inflamatory processes.

This element responds and initiates chemical and physical reactions to foreign micro organisms.

They enter the bloodstream and circulate for a few hours attracted to foreign materials by chemical signals. Some of which are produced by the invading microorganisms themselves, others by damaged tissues.

" Granulocytes are on of several white blood cells".

Granulocytes are produced from stem cells in the bone marrow and only have a life span of a few days.

move from the blood to sites of infection.

This element is responsible for cleaning up cellular debris from sites of infection and activating acquired immune responses.

These elements turn into macrophages which scavenge killed micro organisms.

"Monocytes play a role in the inflammatory process helping tissue to repair".

Monocytes are the largest form of white blood cells.

Author	Sue P.
School
Contact	sue.l.pynt@gmail.com
Description	What is our blood made up of
Domain	Science
Sub-Domain
Target Age Groups
Tags
I copied/adapted material from
I adapted material from

User Name
Password