Albert Teen
powered by
Albert logo

YOU ARE LEARNING:

pointer
Red Blood Cells
lessonMenuButton

Red Blood Cells

lesson introduction

Red Blood Cells

The function of red blood cells is to carry oxygen to cells that perform aerobic respiration.

Blood is a tissue because it has different types of cells in it. Pick 4 different types of cells in blood tissue below.

hint button

You can select multiple answers

1

So there are 4 types of cells in blood tissue

This lesson focuses on red blood cells.

block image
1

This is a red blood cell. What is its function in the blood?

A) It carries nutrients. B) It produces antibodies. C) It carries oxygen.

hint button
block image
2

Where do red blood cells pick up the oxygen from?

A) The heart B) The lungs C) Cells

hint button
block image
3

Where do red blood cells deliver the oxygen to?

A) The heart B) The lungs C) Cells

hint button
block image
4

What is the process called that cells use oxygen for?

A) Breathing B) Aerobic respiration C) Anaerobic respiration

hint button
block image
1

Recap! Blood is a tissue

This means it has different types of cells in it.

block image
2

This lesson focuses on red blood cells

There are also white blood cells, platelets and plasma.

block image
3

Red blood cells carry oxygen

They pick up the oxygen in the lungs and deliver it to the cells.

block image
4

Cells use oxygen for aerobic respiration

That is the process where cells produce energy and carbon dioxide.

block image
1

Red blood cells have some specific features

These features mean that they are extremely good at transporting oxygen.

block image
2

They contain a protein that oxygen can bind to. What is that protein called?

hint button
block image
3

True or false? Red blood cells have no nucleus.

hint button
block image
4

Why do you think red blood cells have no nucleus?

A) So that there is more room for haemoglobin. B) So that the cell doesn't get too heavy and sink. C) There weren't enough nuclei for all the body's cells.

hint button
block image
5

Red blood cells also have a rather special "biconcave" shape

It's the shape you get if you take a ball of Blu Tack and squeeze it between two fingers.

block image
6

The biconcave shape gives the cell a bigger surface area. Why is that a good thing?

A) The cell can absorb more oxygen faster. B) The body needs fewer red blood cells. C) Other cells move out of its way.

hint button
block image
7

Finally, red blood cells are super tiny!

They have to deliver oxygen to other cells through those cells' tiny blood vessels.

Their biconcave shape also makes them particularly flexible to make it easier for them to go down those tiny tubes.

block image
1

Now look at haemoglobin again

It's the protein inside red blood cells that binds oxygen.

block image
2

True or false? Without haemoglobin, red blood cells would still be able to transport oxygen.

hint button
block image
3

Haemoglobin is also the thing that gives blood its _________ colour.

A) yellow B) green C) red

hint button
block image
4

When oxygen binds to haemoglobin in the lungs, it actually becomes a different molecule. What do you think we call that molecule?

A) Power haemoglobin B) Oxyhaemoglobin C) Full haemoglobin

hint button
block image
1

Now, when the red blood cell has released its oxygen to the cell, oxyhaemoglobin turns back into _______________.

hint button
block image
2

True or false? Haemoglobin in red blood cells then carries carbon dioxide back to the lungs.

hint button
block image
3

Haemoglobin is specialised to bind to oxygen and turns into oxyhaemoglobin

It cannot bind to carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is carried from cells back to the lungs by the blood's plasma - not by red blood cells.

block image
1

Summary! Blood is a tissue

It contains red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma.

block image
2

Red blood cells carry oxygen to cells

They contain a protein called haemoglobin that binds to oxygen.

block image
3

When oxygen binds to haemoglobin in the lungs, haemoglobin turns into oxyhaemoglobin

When the oxygen has been released to cells, oxyhaemoglobin turns back into haemoglobin.

block image
4

Red blood cells do not carry carbon dioxide back to the lungs!

Haemoglobin can only bind to oxygen.

block image
5

Red blood cells have no nucleus

This is to allow more room for haemoglobin inside the cell.

block image
6

Red blood cells have a biconcave shape

That gives them a larger surface area so they can absorb more oxygen faster.

block image
7

Finally, red blood cells are super tiny!

This means they can get into all the little tiny blood vessels that lead to individual cells.

Their biconcave shape also makes them particularly flexible to help them in these tiny tubes.

block image