Flashcards on Key Biological Processes and Systems
Key Biological Processes and Systems: A Student Guide
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Blood
17 cards
Card 1
Question: What is the primary job of red blood cells?
Answer: To carry oxygen from the lungs to all the cells in the body.
Card 2
Question: What shape are red blood cells and why is this shape useful?
Answer: They are biconcave discs (like a doughnut); this gives a large surface area for absorbing oxygen.
Card 3
Question: Do red blood cells have a nucleus? Why or why not?
Answer: No, they don’t have a nucleus; this allows more room to carry oxygen.
Card 4
Question: What pigment do red blood cells contain and what does it do in the lungs?
Answer: They contain haemoglobin; in the lungs haemoglobin binds to oxygen to become oxyhaemoglobin.
Card 5
Question: How does haemoglobin release oxygen to body tissues?
Answer: Oxyhaemoglobin splits into haemoglobin and oxygen in the tissues, releasing oxygen to the cells.
Card 6
Question: Name two ways white blood cells defend the body against infection.
Answer: Some white blood cells change shape to engulf microorganisms (phagocytosis); others produce antibodies and antitoxins to fight microorganisms and neut
Card 7
Question: Do white blood cells have a nucleus?
Answer: Yes, unlike red blood cells, white blood cells do have a nucleus.
Card 8
Question: What are platelets and do they have a nucleus?
Answer: Platelets are small fragments of cells and they have no nucleus.
Card 9
Question: What is the main role of platelets at a wound?
Answer: They help the blood to clot to stop bleeding and prevent microorganisms from entering.
Card 10
Question: What can a lack of platelets cause?
Answer: Excessive bleeding and bruising.