Blood in the Body

Blood in the Body Name: ___________________ Period: ______ In an animal, blood is the liquid in the circulatory system. All animals have blood, but its nature varies slightly from one species to another. However, the main components and functions of blood are the same in all animals. Blood, which is vital to the health and survival of all animals, consists of four major components. Blood has five main functions in the body. They are transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide, protection against disease, transport of hormones, transport of nutrients and wastes, and regulation of body temperature. PLASMA Plasma is the liquid substance in which various solid materials are suspended and moved about. Plasma is 90 percent water. The other 10 percent consists of glucose, hormones, wastes, minerals, vitamins, proteins, and other substances. Plasma makes up 50 to 60 percent of blood by volume. Plasma has a straw color when the solid materials are removed. RED BLOOD CELLS Red blood cells, or erythrocytes, are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs throughout the circulatory system. The oxygen is carried by a protein part of the blood known as hemoglobin. Red blood cells have flexible membranes that allow them to squeeze through the very smallest blood vessel. Red blood cells do not repair themselves. However, new red blood cells are made in bone marrow. The spleen and the liver remove the dead red blood cells. Scientists have found that one animal may possess a trillion blood cells. WHITE BLOOD CELLS White blood cells, or leukocytes, are responsible for fighting disease and removing harmful substances from the body. Four different kinds of white cells are found in blood. Some white blood cells surround and digest infectious bacteria. Other white blood cells produce antibodies. An antibody is a kind of protein that destroys bacteria, viruses, and other substances that invade the body. Animals that are diseased produce increased numbers of white blood cells. PLATELETS Platelets, or thrombocytes, are the structures in blood that are responsible for blood clotting. They are not complete cells and have a disk-like shape. In case of a wound, platelets stick to the edge of the skin and to each other to form a scab, or cover, that stops the flow of blood. Without platelets, an animal might bleed to death from a wound. Blood in the Body Model Materials Needed Karo Syrup, Red Hots, Sprinkles, Granola oats, Unpackaged Smarties, Dixie Cups, Spoons, Clear Plastic Cup, and a Scale that reads in grams Lab Procedure Today, you will be asked to make a proportional model of a 50 g sample of blood. 1. In your clear cup, measure 25.4 g of Syrup. (be sure to zero the scale after placing the cup and before pouring the syrup in) 2. Set the clear cup of syrup to the side. 3. Next, using the Dixie cup and a spoon, measure the following ingredients and add them to the syrup. (Remember to zero the scale after placing the Dixie cup and before pouring each ingredient.) • 2.6 g of sprinkles • 21.8 g of Red Hots • 1.1 g of granola oats (you do not have to use whole pieces) • 1.1 g of Smarties (you do not have to use whole pieces) 4. Last, mix thoroughly with your spoon! Before you consume, answer the questions! Lab Analysis 1. Draw what your sample looks like, be sure to use color: 2. What did each ingredient represent? Label each component of blood with the appropriate edible material(s) that it represents. PlasmaRed Blood CellsWhite Blood CellsPlatelets3. Why does blood appear red? 4. If animal was anemic (reduced red blood cells), what would blood sample look like? (draw it)