| A specialized bodily fluid that circulates through vessels, carrying nutrients and oxygen to the cells and removing waste products. | Blood |
| What are the main components of blood? | Blood consists of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. |
| A group of cells that work together to perform a specific function. | Tissue |
| Why is blood considered a tissue? | Despite being a fluid, blood is considered a tissue because it is a collection of specialized cells working together. These cells include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. |
| The fluid part of blood, consisting mainly of water, in which blood cells are suspended. | Plasma |
| What is the function of plasma in blood? | Plasma transports various substances around the body, including nutrients (like digested food molecules), waste products (like urea and carbon dioxide), and other blood components. |
| Blood cells that contain hemoglobin, responsible for transporting oxygen to body tissues. | Red Blood Cells |
| What is the primary function of red blood cells? | The main function of red blood cells is to transport oxygen to body tissues, facilitated by the presence of hemoglobin. |
| Blood cells that play a crucial role in the immune system, defending the body against infections. | White Blood Cells |
| What is the role of white blood cells in the blood? | White blood cells are involved in the body's immune response, defending against infections and foreign substances. |
| Small cell fragments involved in blood clotting. | Platelets |
| What is the function of platelets in blood? | Platelets play a crucial role in blood clotting, helping to prevent excessive bleeding when there is damage to blood vessels. |
| Substances that provide nourishment essential for the maintenance of life and growth. | Nutrients |
| How does blood contribute to the transport of nutrients in the body? | Plasma in the blood transports nutrients, including digested food molecules, to various parts of the body, supporting essential functions and growth. |
| Also known as erythrocytes, red blood cells are specialized cells responsible for transporting oxygen to cells throughout the body. | Red Blood Cells |
| What is another name for red blood cells, and what is their primary function? | Another name for red blood cells is erythrocytes. Their primary function is to transport oxygen to cells all around the body. |
| A protein molecule found in red blood cells that binds to and carries oxygen. | Haemoglobin |
| What is the role of haemoglobin in red blood cells? | Haemoglobin is a molecule in red blood cells that holds and carries oxygen, facilitating its transport to various cells. |
| The central part of a cell that contains genetic material. Red blood cells lack a nucleus. | NO Nucleus (in the context of red blood cells) |
| Why do red blood cells lack a nucleus, and what advantage does this adaptation provide? | Red blood cells lack a nucleus to create more space for haemoglobin. This adaptation allows for a higher concentration of oxygen-carrying haemoglobin. |
| A shape characterized by a curved or rounded surface, like the inner surface of a sphere. Red blood cells have a concave shape. | Concave Shape (in the context of red blood cells) |
| What is the significance of the concave shape of red blood cells? | The concave shape provides red blood cells with a larger surface area, enhancing their ability to absorb oxygen efficiently. |
| Tiny blood vessels that connect arteries and veins, allowing for the exchange of substances between the blood and tissues. | Capillaries |
| Why are red blood cells small and flexible, and how does this contribute to their function? | Red blood cells are small and flexible, allowing them to pass through narrow capillaries easily. This adaptability is essential for efficient oxygen transport to various tissues. |
| A waste product produced by cells during metabolism. Red blood cells absorb carbon dioxide and transport it to the lungs for exhalation. | Carbon Dioxide |
| In addition to transporting oxygen, what is another role of red blood cells regarding waste products? | Red blood cells absorb carbon dioxide from cells and carry it to the lungs, where it is exhaled as a waste product. |
| Special features or characteristics that enhance an organism's ability to survive and function in its environment. | Adaptations (in the context of red blood cells) |
| Summarize the key adaptations of red blood cells that make them efficient at their oxygen transport function. | Red blood cells have adaptations, including a lack of nucleus, a concave shape for increased surface area, and small, flexible size, making them efficient at transporting oxygen and navigating through the circulatory system. |
| Blood cells that play a crucial role in the immune system by fighting infection and protecting the body against pathogens. | White Blood Cells (WBCs) |
| What is the primary function of white blood cells in the body? | White blood cells primarily function to fight infection and form a vital part of the immune system. |
| The body's defense mechanism against infections and diseases, involving various cells and processes that work together to identify and eliminate pathogens. | Immune System |
| In what system are white blood cells actively involved, and what is the role of this system? | White blood cells are actively involved in the immune system, where they play a crucial role in defending the body against infections and diseases. |
| A type of white blood cell that engulfs and digests microorganisms, such as pathogens, as part of the immune response. | Phagocytes |
| What is the primary function of phagocytes in the immune system? | Phagocytes kill microorganisms, including pathogens, by engulfing and digesting them as part of the immune response. |
| A type of white blood cell involved in the immune response, including the production of antibodies and antitoxins. | Lymphocytes |
| What is the role of lymphocytes in the immune system, and how do they contribute to the body's defense? | Lymphocytes destroy pathogens and toxins by releasing antibodies and antitoxins, playing a crucial role in the immune response. |
| The central part of a cell that contains genetic material. Unlike red blood cells, white blood cells have a nucleus. | Nucleus (in the context of white blood cells) |
| Do white blood cells have a nucleus, and how does this differ from red blood cells? | Yes, white blood cells have a nucleus, unlike red blood cells. The presence of a nucleus in white blood cells is a distinguishing feature. |
| Microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses, that cause diseases or infections in the body. | Pathogens |
| What is the specific target of phagocytes in the immune system? | Phagocytes target and kill microorganisms, including pathogens, by engulfing and digesting them as part of the immune response. |
| Substances released by lymphocytes to neutralize and counteract pathogens and toxins, respectively. | Antibodies and Antitoxins |
| What substances do lymphocytes release, and how do these substances contribute to the immune response? | Lymphocytes release antibodies to destroy pathogens and antitoxins to neutralize toxins, actively participating in the immune response. |
| Small cell fragments in the blood that play a crucial role in blood clotting and wound healing. | Platelets |
| What are platelets, and where are they found in the blood? | Platelets are small cell fragments found in the blood. |
| The process by which blood forms clots to prevent excessive bleeding from wounds or injuries. | Blood Clotting |
| What is the primary function of blood clotting in the body? | The primary function of blood clotting is to prevent excessive bleeding from wounds or injuries. |
| Molecules that make up the structure of platelets, allowing them to stick together and adhere to damaged areas of blood vessels. | Proteins (in the context of platelets) |
| What role do proteins play in the functioning of platelets, especially in the context of blood clotting? | Proteins on the surface of platelets allow them to stick together and adhere to damaged areas of blood vessels, contributing to blood clotting. |
| A mass of coagulated blood formed by platelets at the site of a wound or injury. | Clot |
| What is formed when platelets stick together during the blood clotting process? | When platelets stick together, they form a clot at the site of a wound or injury. |
| The natural process by which the body repairs injuries, including the formation of blood clots by platelets. | Wound Healing |
| How do platelets contribute to the process of wound healing in the body? | Platelets play a crucial role in wound healing by forming blood clots, preventing excessive bleeding from wounds or injuries. |
| The ability of platelets to adhere to each other during the blood clotting process. | Stick Together (in the context of platelets) |
| What characteristic of platelets allows them to form clots during the blood clotting process? | The ability of platelets to stick together enables them to form clots during the blood clotting process. |
| Sites in blood vessels where injuries or wounds have occurred, prompting platelets to adhere and form clots. | Damage Areas of Blood Vessels |
| Where do platelets specifically stick during blood clotting, and why? | Platelets stick to damaged areas of blood vessels during blood clotting, helping form clots to prevent bleeding. |
| Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart, characterized by thick and elastic walls to withstand the high pressure of blood flow. | Arteries |
| What is the primary function of arteries in the circulatory system? | Arteries carry blood away from the heart. |
| Blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart, featuring wide lumens and valves to facilitate blood flow and maintain the right direction of blood circulation. | Veins |
| What distinguishes veins from arteries in terms of structure and function? | Veins carry blood back to the heart, have wider lumens, and contain valves to assist blood flow and ensure proper direction. |
| Tiny blood vessels that facilitate the exchange of substances such as oxygen and nutrients between blood and cells due to their thin walls. | Capillaries |
| Where in the body are capillaries found, and what is their role in the circulatory system? | Capillaries are found close to every cell in the body and facilitate the exchange of substances like oxygen and nutrients between blood and cells. |
| The force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels, particularly high in arteries. | Blood Pressure |
| Why do arteries have thick and elastic walls? | Arteries have thick and elastic walls to cope with the high pressure of the blood they carry. |
| Structures in veins that prevent the backflow of blood and maintain the proper direction of blood circulation. | Valves (in the context of veins) |
| What is the function of valves in veins, and why are they necessary? | Valves in veins prevent the backflow of blood, ensuring that blood flows in the correct direction back to the heart. |
| The central, open space within a blood vessel through which blood flows. | Lumen |
| How does the lumen of veins compare to that of arteries, and why? | The lumen of veins is wider than that of arteries to assist in the flow of blood, especially since blood in veins is at a lower pressure. |
| The process facilitated by capillaries, allowing substances like oxygen and nutrients to move in and out of the blood. | Exchange of Substances |
| What role do capillaries play in the exchange of substances within the circulatory system? | Capillaries facilitate the exchange of substances, allowing oxygen and nutrients to move in and out of the blood. |
