1. Transport in blood
• All will know the composition of blood
• Most will be able to describe and explain the
role each part of our blood has
• Some will be able to suggest the benefits of
haemoglobin

2. Transport in blood
• What is the function
of blood?
• How much blood does
an average adult
human have?
5.5 litres

3. plasma
(55% of red
volume) blood cell
white
blood cell
platelet
blood cells
(45% of
volume)

4. Human blood smear
X 500

5. Blood components
Blood component Function/facts
Plasma
RBC
WBC
Platelet

6. Plasma
liquid part of blood
plasma transports:-
• soluble food
molecules
• waste products
(CO2, urea)

7. Red blood cells
• transport oxygen
• specialised to do this

8. White blood cells
• the bodies “defence”
• part of the immune system
• have a nucleus

9. Platelets
• Small fragments of cells
• No nucleus
• Help blood clot when
you cut yourself

10. Features of a red blood cell
Contains Disc-shaped, with
haemoglobin, a dent on each side,
a special pigment creates a large
that combines/carries
surface area for gas
oxygen.
exchange.
No nucleus - more A large surface area
space for compared to volume,
haemoglobin and so so oxygen is always
more oxygen. close to the surface.

11. Red blood cells and haemoglobin
oxygen
+ oxyhaemoglobin
oxyhaemoglobin
haemoglobin
Oxyhaemoglobin makes red blood cells appear bright red.

12. haemoglobin
oxyhaemoglobin
oxyhaemoglobin +
oxygen
Oxygen is then able to diffuse into the body’s cells.
Why do red blood cells appear a dull red colour when oxygen is
released?