Chapter 16 - 2 - Science

Describe the shape of red blood cells. How does their shape aid in the delivery of oxygen?

1. Disks with pinched-in centers. 2. Because of their pinched shape, red blood cells are thin in the middle and can bend and twist easily. This flexibility enables them to squeeze their narrow capillaries.

What is lymph? Of what does lymph consist?

1. Fluid inside the lymphatic system. 2. It consists of water and dissolved materials such as glucose.

How long do red blood cells live?

120 days.

How often are red blood cells being produced?

2 million every second.

What percent of the volume of blood is composed of cells?

45%.

What is the percent of people who have Rh factor?

85%.

What is the composition of plasma?

90% water, 10% dissolved materials.

What is the Rh factor?

A protein on red blood cells.

Describe the events that lead to the formation of a scab.

A vessel is cut. Platelets collect and stick to the vessel at the sight of the wound. Platelets release chemicals that start a chain reaction that eventually produces a protein called fibrin. Fibrin weaves a net of tiny fibers across the cut in the blood vessel. As more platelets and blood cells become trapped in the net, a blood clot forms. A scab is a dried blood clot.

List the four major types of blood.

A, B, AB, and O.

What is hemoglobin?

An iron-containing protein that binds chemically to oxygen molecules.

How do platelets protect you?

By forming blood clots and stopping blood flow.

What are platelets?

Cell fragments that play an important part in forming blood cells.

How do the materials transported in blood travel?

In the plasma.

What is the result of clumping within the body?

It clogs the capillaries and may lead to death.

What does it mean to have Rh positive blood?

It means you have the Rh marker.

Describe a red blood cell.

It's made mostly of hemoglobin. It has no nuclei, therefore it cannot reproduce or repair itself.

Describe the three groups of plasma proteins.

One group helps regulate the amount of water in blood. The second group, which is produced in white blood cells, helps fight diseases. The third group of proteins interacts with platelets to form blood clots.

Of what is blood made?

Plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

What gives plasma its yellow color?

Protein molecules.

What determines blood type?

Proteins known as marker molecules that are on the red blood cells.

What do white blood cells do?

Recognize disease-causing organisms, such as bacteria, and alert the body that it has been invaded. Some produce chemicals to fight the invaders. Some surround and kill the organism.

How do red blood cells perform their function?

Red blood cells are made mostly of hemoglobin - an iron-containing protein that combines chemically to the oxygen molecule.

What are red blood cells?

Red blood cells take up oxygen in the lungs and deliver it to cells elsewhere in the body.

What are lymph nodes?

Small knobs of tissue.

What happens to some of the fluids as it travels through the capillaries?

Some leaks out.

What are white blood cells?

The body's disease fighters.

What determines your blood type and the type of blood that you can safely receive?

The marker molecules on your red blood cells.

What is a blood transfusion?

The transfer of blood from one person to another.

What role do lymph nodes have in the lymphatic system?

They filter lymph, trapping bacteria and other disease-causing micro-organisms in the fluid.

Complete the chart on blood types and their markers.

Type A - A marker molecules Anti-B clumping proteins Blood that can be safely received - A & O Type B - B marker molecules Anti-A clumping proteins Blood that can be safely received - B & O Type AB - AB marker molecules No clumping proteins Blood that can be safely received - A, B, AB & O Type O No marker molecules Anti-A & Anti-B clumping proteins Blood that can be safely received - O

Compare white blood cells to red blood cells.

White blood cells are fewer, larger, they contain nuclei, and can live for months and years.

What happens when someone with Rh negative blood receives Rh positive blood?

You would develop Rh clumping proteins in your plasma.

What is the lymphatic system?

Your body's drainage system. It is a network of veinlike vessels that returns fluid to the bloodstream.

What causes blood cells to clump together?

Your plasma contains clumping proteins that recognize red blood cells with "foreign" markers (not yours) and makes those cells clump together.