Blood components GCSE cut and stick task with cut-out cards, and ... - Free Printable

Let's solve this step by step.

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Step 1: Identify the 4 components of blood from the pictures

The four main components of blood are:

1. Red Blood Cells (RBCs) – The red, biconcave disc-shaped cell.
2. White Blood Cells (WBCs) – The grey, irregular-shaped cell with a nucleus.
3. Platelets – The small, fragment-like structures (orange/pink dots).
4. Plasma – The yellow fluid with a red sediment at the bottom (representing the liquid part of blood).

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Step 2: Complete the table

| Component | Picture | Description | Function | Adaptations | Diseases |
|-------------------|--------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| Red Blood Cell | 🟧 | Biconcave disc-shaped cells without a nucleus; contain haemoglobin | Carry oxygen from lungs to tissues and carbon dioxide back to lungs | No nucleus → more space for haemoglobin; biconcave shape → increases surface area for gas exchange | Anaemia, Sickle cell disease |
| White Blood Cell | 🟨 | Irregular-shaped cells with a nucleus; larger than RBCs | Defend the body against infection (phagocytosis, antibody production) | Contains lots of ribosomes → protein synthesis for antibodies and enzymes | Leukaemia, AIDS |
| Platelets | 🟩 | Small, irregular fragments derived from megakaryocytes | Clotting of blood; prevent bleeding | Contain granules with clotting factors; sticky surface to adhere to damaged vessels | Thrombocytopenia, Haemophilia |
| Plasma | 🟫 | Yellowish fluid that makes up ~55% of blood; carries cells and substances | Transports hormones, nutrients, waste products, ions, proteins, gases | Contains water, dissolved substances, proteins (e.g., albumin, fibrinogen) | Dehydration, Liver disease, Kidney disease |

> Note: The picture in the last row shows plasma as a yellow liquid with a red layer at the bottom (which is likely representing the cellular components after centrifugation).

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Step 3: Answer the Questions

#### 1. Suggest what the symptoms of anaemia might be?
Anaemia is caused by a deficiency in red blood cells or haemoglobin, leading to reduced oxygen delivery to tissues.

Symptoms:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Pale skin
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Headaches
- Cold hands and feet
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat

> These occur because tissues don't get enough oxygen.

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#### 2. A normal white cell count is around 8500 cells per microliter. An AIDS sufferer has 680. Calculate the percentage decrease.

We use the formula:

$$
\text{Percentage decrease} = \left( \frac{\text{Original} - \text{New}}{\text{Original}} \right) \times 100
$$

$$
= \left( \frac{8500 - 680}{8500} \right) \times 100 = \left( \frac{7820}{8500} \right) \times 100 ≈ 91.94\%
$$

✔ Answer: Approximately 91.9% decrease

This shows a dramatic drop in immune function in AIDS patients.

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#### 3. Explain why a white blood cell contains lots of ribosomes.

White blood cells (especially lymphocytes and phagocytes) are involved in producing:
- Antibodies (proteins)
- Enzymes for destroying pathogens
- Signaling molecules (cytokines)

Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis. Since WBCs need to make large amounts of these proteins, they have many ribosomes to support high levels of protein production.

✔ Answer: White blood cells contain many ribosomes because they produce large quantities of proteins like antibodies and enzymes to fight infections.

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#### 4. The average lifespan of a red blood cell is 120 days. What makes new cells and where is it found?

- New red blood cells are made in the bone marrow.
- This process is called haematopoiesis.
- Specifically, hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow differentiate into red blood cells.

✔ Answer: New red blood cells are made by stem cells in the bone marrow, which is found inside the spongy bone of bones like the hip, spine, and skull.

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✔ Final Summary Table:

| Component | Picture | Description | Function | Adaptations | Diseases |
|-------------------|--------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| Red Blood Cell | 🔴 | Biconcave disc, no nucleus, contains haemoglobin | Transport O₂ and CO₂ | No nucleus → more room for haemoglobin; biconcave shape → increased SA | Anaemia, Sickle cell disease |
| White Blood Cell | 🟡 | Larger, irregular, has nucleus | Fight infection (phagocytosis, antibodies) | Many ribosomes → protein synthesis | Leukaemia, AIDS |
| Platelets | 🟠 | Small fragments, no nucleus | Clotting (form clots to stop bleeding) | Sticky surface; contain clotting factors | Thrombocytopenia, Haemophilia |
| Plasma | 🟡 | Yellow fluid, carries cells and solutes | Transport nutrients, hormones, wastes, ions, gases | Contains water, proteins, ions | Dehydration, Liver/kidney disease |

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