I/GCSE Biology - Blood and the heart

Do you remember the previous post regarding the heart in I/GCSE Biology? We move on talking about this with more details!

In I/GCSE Biology, it is important to remember the plasma and 3 types of blood cells!

Plasma:

• Liquid part of the blood
• Carries the blood cells through the blood vessels
• Contains many dissolved substances such as carbon dioxide and glucose

Then, let's go through 3 types of blood cells in I/GCSE Biology again!

White blood cells:

• Larger than red blood cells
• Have a nucleus
• Some surround and destroy pathogens
• Some produce antibodies that destroy pathogens

Platelets:

• Are fragments of larger cells
• Have no nucleus
• Causes blood to clot when a blood vessel has been damaged

Red blood cell:

• Contains haemoglobin which carries oxygen
• Has a biconcave shape which gives it a larger surface area
• Oxygen diffuses in and out of the cell
• Has no nucleus to give the cell more room for more haemoglobin to carry more oxygen

It is very important in I/GCSE Biology to memorize the structure of heart

• Pulmonary artery ➡️ carries deoxygenated blood from heart to lungs
• Vena cava ➡️ brings deoxygenated blood from body to heart
• Aorta ➡️ carries oxygenated blood from heart to body
• Pulmonary vein ➡️ carries oxygenated blood from lungs to heart

It's commonly asked in I/GCSE Biology too!

 The left ventricle is thicker than the right ventricle as it pushes blood all around the body.

And we're done with this topic! Well Done!

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Drafted by Alyssa (Biology)

References:

1. "6,735 Blood Plasma Illustrations", https://media.istockphoto.com/vectors/flask-with-blood-components-red-and-white-blood-cells-plasma-and-vector-id1124572244?k=6&m=1124572244&s=612x612&w=0&h=m6MM81mRCTfGCtNAU5CjZngBgjujRbHBDnKsYoD1tAc=
2. "White blood cells", https://cdn-prod.medicalnewstoday.com/content/images/articles/327/327446/an-infographic-showing-the-different-types-of-white-blood-cells.jpg
3. "Platelets", https://images.theconversation.com/files/272032/original/file-20190501-113830-9e06ae.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip
4. "Red blood cell". Photo from the internet.
5. "Structure of the heart". Photo from the internet.