Blood cells and blood groups Erythrocytes red blood
Blood cells and blood groups
Erythrocytes (red blood cells) • Erythrocytes make up approximately 45% of blood. • Function: – carry oxygen around the body. – A pigment called haemoglobin combines with the oxygen • Structure: – No nuclei so more oxygen can be carried – Special ‘biconcave’ shape – to allow more oxygen to be carried – Small-ish in size - much smaller than most other cells in the body so oxygen can be picked up quickly • Found: – In the blood – Produced in the bone marrow
Leukocytes: white blood cells • Function: to defend against disease and destroy bacteria & viruses • Types: – Lymphocytes (Cell A) (produces antibodies) – Granulocytes (Cell B) (phagocyte) – Monocytes (Cell C) (phagocyte) • Found: – All over body (can circulate to site of infection) – Produced in the bone marrow
Platelets • Also known as thrombocytes • Function: – Essential role in blood clotting to stop bleeding • Structure: – Cell fragments – No nuclei – Special shape allowing them to clump together
Answers to questions Draw diagrams of the cells found in blood – Red cells – Platelets – White cells Explain the job of each of the cell types – Red cells – carries oxygen – Platelets – small bits of cells which are involved in forming a clot to stop bleeding – White cells – fight disease. Two types: lymphocytes and phagocytes. • Lymphocytes produce antibodies • Phagocytes digest microbes 13/06/2021
Blood grouping • • The ABO blood grouping system is present in humans The ABO system of blood groups gives rise to 4 different blood groups: 1. 2. 3. 4. Blood group A Blood group B Blood group AB Blood group O • It is important to know the blood group of a person as not all blood groups are compatible with each other.
Rhesus (Rh) factor blood grouping system • Many people also have a ‘Rhesus factor’ antigen on the red blood cell's surface: – Those who have it are called rhesus positive ‘Rh+’ – Those do not have it are called rhesus negative ‘Rh-’ • So blood groups are often referred to as ‘O negative’ or ‘A positive’ etc
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