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 drop shown and a wavy line indicating it’s liquid.

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Step 2: Complete the table

| Component | Picture | Description | Function | Adaptations | Diseases |
|------------------|-----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| Red Blood Cell | 🟧 Biconcave disc | Small, disc-shaped cells without a nucleus; contain haemoglobin | Carry oxygen from lungs to tissues and return carbon dioxide to lungs | No nucleus → more space for haemoglobin; biconcave shape → increases surface area for gas exchange | Anaemia, Sickle cell disease |
| White Blood Cell | 🟨 Irregular, nucleus | Larger than RBCs; have a nucleus; vary in shape and size | Defend the body against infection and pathogens | Contain lots of ribosomes → produce antibodies and enzymes; can change shape to move through tissues | Leukaemia, Immunodeficiency |
| Platelets | 🟩 Small fragments | Small cell fragments; no nucleus | Help in blood clotting to prevent bleeding | Can stick together and form clots; release clotting factors | Thrombocytopenia, Haemophilia |
| Plasma | 🟨 Yellow liquid | Liquid component of blood; makes up ~55% of blood volume | Transports nutrients, hormones, waste products, and cells | Contains water, proteins, ions, gases, and dissolved substances | Dehydration, Liver disease, Shock |

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Step 3: Answer the Questions

#### Question 1: Suggest what the symptoms of anaemia might be?

Answer:
Anaemia occurs when there is a lack of healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin, leading to reduced oxygen delivery to tissues. Common symptoms include:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Pale skin
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Cold hands and feet
- Headaches
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat

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

Solution:

We use the formula for percentage decrease:

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

\[
= \left( \frac{8500 - 680}{8500} \right) \times 100
\]

\[
= \left( \frac{7820}{8500} \right) \times 100
\]

\[
= 0.9194 \times 100 = 91.94\%
\]

✔ Answer: Approximately 91.9% decrease.

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

Answer:
White blood cells (especially lymphocytes and neutrophils) are involved in immune responses. They produce large amounts of proteins such as:
- Antibodies (by B-cells)
- Enzymes that digest pathogens
- Signaling molecules (cytokines)

Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis. Therefore, having many ribosomes allows white blood cells to rapidly produce these essential proteins to fight infections.

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

Answer:
New red blood cells are made by haematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow.

- Process: This process is called haematopoiesis.
- Location: Mainly in the red bone marrow, found in bones like the pelvis, sternum, ribs, vertebrae, and skull.

These stem cells differentiate into red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells, and platelets.

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✔ Final Summary

| Component | Description | Function | Adaptations | Diseases |
|------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------|
| Red Blood Cell | Disc-shaped, no nucleus, contains haemoglobin | Transport oxygen and CO₂ | Biconcave shape, no nucleus | Anaemia, Sickle cell |
| White Blood Cell | Large, has nucleus, irregular shape | Fight infection | Many ribosomes, motile | Leukaemia |
| Platelets | Small fragments, no nucleus | Clotting and wound healing | Sticky, release clotting factors | Thrombocytopenia |
| Plasma | Yellowish liquid, carries all components | Transport substances | Contains proteins, ions, hormones | Dehydration, Liver disease |

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✔ Answers to Questions:

1. Symptoms of anaemia: Fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness.
2. Percentage decrease: 91.9%
3. White blood cells have many ribosomes to make proteins like antibodies and enzymes.
4. New RBCs are made by stem cells in the bone marrow (specifically red bone marrow).

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