Composition of human blood

1. Water (90%)
2. Ions
(Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Cl¯, HCO₃¯)
3. Plasma proteins
4. Hormones
5. Dissolved substances

1
Difference between arteries, capilaaries and veins
Characteristic Arteries Capillaries Veins
To transport oxygenated
blood quickly at high Allow rapid gaseous To transport deoxygenated
pressure from the heart to exchange between the blood blood from the tissues to
Function
the tissues and the body cells by return to the heart
(except pulmonary diffusion (except pulmonary vein)
artery)
One-cell thick, no muscle or Thin, less muscular, less
Wall Thick, muscular, elastic
elastic tissue elastic
Lumen Small Very small Large

Have valves which

maintain the one-way flow
Valve No valve No valve
of blood / to prevent
backflow of blood

Blood pressure High Low Very low

From the heart to the From all parts of the body

Direction of
organs (away from the From arteries to veins to the heart (blood returns
blood flow
heart) to the heart)

Oxygenated blood at the

Oxygenated blood except arteriole ends and Deoxygenated blood
Blood content
the pulmonary artery deoxygenated blood at the except the pulmonary vein
venule ends

2
Structure of heart

3
4

4
Circulatory system of insects, fish , amphibians and human
Differences
Organisms Insects Fish Amphibians Humans

Diagram

Open
Type of Closed circulatory Closed circulatory Closed circulatory
circulatory
circulatory system system system
system
system
– Single Double Double
(A single
Number of Two Three Four
blood vessel
chambers in (1 atrium (2 atrium (2 atrium
forms the
the heart 1 ventricle) 1 ventricle) 2 ventricle)
hearts)
Separation of Incomplete (there is Complete (there is
oxygenated some mixing of the no mixing of the
and – – oxygenated and oxygenated and
deoxygenated deoxygenated blood in deoxygenated blood
blood the ventricle) in the ventricle)

• In the pulmonary circulation :

deoxygenated blood travels from the right side of the heart through the
pulmonary arteries to the lungs.

• In the systemic circulation :

oxygenated blood leaves the left side of the heart through the aorta to
body cells.

5
 Structure W
Fibrin

Clotting Mechanism
1. The clumped platelets, the damaged cells and clotting factors in the plasma form
thromboplastins.
2. Thromboplastins, together with calcium ions and vitamin K form tromkinase to convert the
prothrombin to thrombin.

3. Thrombin convert fibrinogen into fibrin which combines to form a mesh of long threads over the
wound to trap red blood cells and sealing the wound.

Disease :
Adam is suffered form a genetic disease. He has a problem of blood clotting, his blood takes an
abnormally long time to clot. Name the genetic disease suffered by Adam.
Ans : Haemophilia

State one difference in the blood content Adam and a normal person.

Ans : Lack of certain blood clotting in Adam 's blood

Haemophilia is a genetic in which the individual cannot produce clotting factor. Suggest one method
to save the afflicted person form dying due to excessive bleeding
Ans : Injection with blood factor

6
How interstitial fluid is formed.

P1 - Blood flow form the arteries into the capillaries with a smaller diameter
P2 - Results in a higher hydrostatic pressure at the arterial end of the capillaries
P3 - the higher pressure forces some blood plasma through the capillary wall into the
spaces between the cells
P4 - the fluid is known as interstitial fluid or tissue fluid
P5 - interstitial fluid does not contain plasma protein, erythrocytes and platelets

Importance of interstitial fluid

Supplies the cell with their cellular requirement/oxygen/nutrient/glucose/amino acids
and eliminate the excretory substances/carbon dioxide/urea from the cell.

Difference between body fluid

Body fluid Composition
Blood Plasma and cellular components
Interstitial fluid Plasma without plasma proteins, erythrocytes and platelets
Lymph (interstitial fluid • Plasma without plasma proteins, erythrocytes and platelets
within the lymphatic • More fatty substances
vessels) • Large number of lymphocytes produced by the lymph nodes

7
Lymphatic system has several important functions
• Removal of excess interstitial fluid and dissolved substances that diffuse from the
blood capillaries
• Transport of fats from the small intestine to the bloodstream
• Defence of the body by exposing bacteria and viruses to white blood cells

Defence system

A B

8
Immunity
Types of immunity

Active immunity Passive immunity

The body produces its own The body receives antibodies
antibodies in response to from an outside source.
stimulation by an antigen

Naturally Artificially Naturally Artificially

acquired active acquired active acquired passive acquired passive
immunity immunity immunity immunity

9
Difference between Artificial Active and Passive Immunity
Artificial Active Immunity Artificial Passive Immunity
Injection of vaccine Injection of antiserum
Contain weak or dead pathogen Contain antibody
To stimulate white blood cells to produce antibodies To kill the pathogen in the body
Duration to obtain immunity is slow Duration to obtain immunity is fast
Effect last longer Temporary effect
Example : Hepatitis B, Diphtheria 白喉, Pertussis Example : Tetanus, Rabies,
百日咳, Poliomyelitis 小儿麻痹症 Venom of snake bites

Second injection is necessary to increase the

antibody production to achieve the level of
immunity
Memory cell is present No memory cell

10