Circulatory System Adapted from S. MORRIS 2006

What is the circulatory system? The circulatory system carries blood and dissolved substances to and from different places in the body. The Heart has the job of pumping these things around the body. The Heart pumps blood around the body in tubes called blood vessels. The Heart, blood vessels, and the blood together make up the Circulatory System.

Non cellular components: Plasma Cellular components: Red blood cell White blood cell Platelets

What substances are in the non-cellular components of the blood? PLASMA – This is the yellowish liquid portion of blood that contains electrolytes, nutrients and vitamins, hormones, clotting factors, and proteins such as antibodies to fight infection. Urea, CO2, Glucose, Amino acids, proteins, minerals, vitamines, hormones

Cellular Components of the Blood RED BLOOD CELLS (Erythrocytes) – The most abundant cells in our blood WHITE BLOOD CELLS (Leukocytes) – They are part of the immune system and destroy infectious agents called pathogens. PLATELETS (Thrombocytes) – The clotting factors that are carried in the plasma

The Blood

Red Blood Cells a biconcave disc shaped cell that is round, flat, and has no nucleus contain hemoglobin, a molecule specially designed to hold oxygen and carry it to cells that need it. they are produced in the bone marrow can change shape to an amazing extent, without breaking, as it squeezes single file through the capillaries Life span of 120 days

White Blood Cells Life span of 10 days Made in the spleen There are about 8000 cells in a small drop of blood The main function of the white blood cells is to defend our body against both infectious disease and foreign materials there are many different types of white blood cells and all contain a big nucleus.

White Blood Cells the two main ones are the macrophages and the lymphocytes. macrophages ‘eat’ and digest harmful micro-organisms and dead cells, move like amoebas some lymphocytes fight disease by making antibodies to help destroy invaders.

Platelets Life span of 5 days Platelets are small cell fragments which function in clotting broken blood vessels (e.g. cuts) to stop bleeding Platelets contain proteins on their surface that allow them to stick to breaks in the blood vessel wall and also stick to each other

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