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Blood is a tissue — a fluid tissue made up of several different types of cell and a liquid component, all working together to transport substances around the body. For AQA GCSE Biology, you need to understand the four components of blood, the three types of blood vessel, and how each is adapted to its function. This lesson covers all of these in detail.
Blood is made up of four main components:
| Component | Description | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Red blood cells (erythrocytes) | Small, biconcave disc-shaped cells with no nucleus | Transport oxygen from the lungs to the body's cells |
| White blood cells (leucocytes) | Larger cells with a nucleus; several types exist | Defend the body against disease (pathogens) |
| Platelets (thrombocytes) | Small cell fragments with no nucleus | Involved in blood clotting at wound sites to prevent blood loss and infection |
| Plasma | Pale yellow liquid that makes up about 55% of blood | Transports dissolved substances: glucose, amino acids, carbon dioxide, urea, hormones, antibodies, heat |
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