1. Blood cells and blood groups

2. 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

3. 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

4. Platelets Also known as thrombocytes Function: Structure:
Essential role in blood clotting to stop bleeding
Structure:
Cell fragments
No nuclei
Special shape allowing them to clump together

5. Answers to questions Draw diagrams of the cells found in blood
24/06/2018
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

6. Blood grouping The ABO blood grouping system is present in humans
The ABO system of blood groups gives rise to 4 different blood groups:
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.

7. 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