Key Life Processes

Homeostasis is what allows our internal system to maintain at a constant condition. In order to maintain equilibrium the body must communicate using the control system. It is essential that the body monitors its conditions whether that be blood pressure, thirst sensation or body temperature (this is either gained or lost). Negative feedback is most important and comes first, this allows for the body to correct itself and get back to a set point when it is off track. There are three components that link with this feedback. A sensor (receptor) sends signals to the control center that something is unusual, the control center compares the many values of our normal body range and decides

White blood cells are part of the immune system and help defend the body from antigens.

Ed’s blood contains white blood cells, which combat infection and inflammation. Foreign invaders attract phagocytic neutrophils and macrophages by means of chemotaxis. These particular cells eat and dispose of pathogens in a process called phagocytosis.

Blood is a bodily fluid that transports oxygen and nutrients to the cells within the body. Blood has plasma that lets the different types of blood travel round the body. Plasma contains proteins that have different functions for the blood- clotting, transporting and defence organisms and osmotic organisations. The plasma carries the red blood cell which has a elastic membrane so it can fit through the small capillaries within the body. Red blood cells can be also known as erythrocytes they don’t have a nucleus when they are matured which gives a bigger space for oxygen, although as there is no nuclei the red blood cells can’t divide so they only live for around 120 days. Red blood cells gain their colour from haemoglobin, oxygenated blood which is known as arterial blood which flows through the arteries coming from the heart and

13. Identify the cellular components of blood, their functions and where they are produced in the body.

Conditions in the body have to be controlled with narrow limits. This is called homeostasis. These conditions include water content, ion content, body temperature and blood glucose concentration.

The blood contains the oxygen, platelets, nutrients, red and white blood cells, hormones which are all important materials for metabolism.

Blood has many functions and is a complex structure of cells and fluid. It helps fight bacteria, protect the body from infection, carry valuable sources of minerals and nutrients around the body, dispose of waste materials, keeps the body temperature regulated and helps with glandular distribution of hormones and enzymes.

Blood is a red fluid that contains a complex mixture of cells suspended in a liquid matrix which is transported (circulated) throughout the body by the circulatory system of an organism. It circulates around the body by the heart and delivers oxygen and other important nutrients to cells of organs and tissues, while at the same time, removing waste product from our body. Blood is located in almost every part of our body, which is due to the network of blood vessels called the circulatory system. It is circulated through the body’s heart, arteries, veins and capillaries (tiny vessels that connect arteries and veins). In order for blood to carry out its functions, it needs to circulate all over our body to all living cells and tissues which it does through the support of the heart that pumps blood throughout our entire body). Thus, it is the fluid of life, a vital life force that all humans need in order to live and sustain life.

Blood is made up of straw coloured plasma, the matrix, in which various types of blood are carried. Plasma is mainly water where substances are carried such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, nutrients such as glucose and amino acids, salts, enzymes and hormones. Also there is a combination of important proteins which help with blood clotting, transport,

The organs that make up the lymphatic and immune system are the tonsils, spleen, thymus gland, lymph nodes, and lymphatic vessels. White blood cells (leukocytes), red blood cells (erythrocytes), plasma, and platelets (thrombocytes) make up the blood. Lymphocytes are leukocytes (white blood cells) that help the body fight off diseases. Two types of lymphocytes are B cells and T cells. Lymphocytes recognize antigens, or foreign substances/matter, in the body. Lymphocytes are a classification of agranulocytes, or cells (-cytes) without (a-) granules (granul/o) in the cytoplasm. B cells are created from stem cells, which are located in the bone marrow. B cells respond to antigens by becoming plasma cells. These plasma cells then create antibodies. Memory B cells produce a stronger response with the next exposure to the antigen. B cells fight off infection and bacteria while T cells defend against viruses and cancer cells. A hormone created by the thymus gland called thymosin changes lymphocytes into T cells. The thymus gland is active when you are a child and slowly shrinks, as you get older. T cells bind to the antigens on the cells and directly attack them. T cells secrete lymphokines that increase T cell production and directly kill cells with antigens. There are three types of T cells: cytotoxic T cells, helper T cells, and memory T cells.

White blood cells are made up of red blood cells, platelets and plasma. They are essential for a healthy body and act as a shield for diseases and illnesses. They will go through the blood stream and tackle viruses. The cells are made up of bone marrow and stored in lymphatic tissues.

Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell, which are an important part of the immune system. Lymphocytes can defend the body against infection because they can distinguish the body’s own cells from foreign ones. Once they recognize foreign material in the body, they produce chemicals to destroy that material. Two types of lymphocyte are produced in the bone marrow before birth.

15. Formed elements, meaning the red and white blood cells and the platelets, make up about 45% of the blood and the plasma portion of the blood makes up about 55%.

These cells' cytoplasm is rich in hemoglobin, an iron-containing biomolecule that can bind oxygen and is responsible for the blood's red color.