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1.
Plasma
The liquid part of the blood. About 90% of the plasma is water. The other 10% of plasma is made up of such items as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and mineral salts. These parts of plasma are responsible for growth (body tissues) and energy.
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2. Red Blood Cells The solid part of the blood. The red blood cells are the most numerous of the three types of cells. The function of the red blood cells is to carry oxygen from the lungs to different body tissues and to transport the carbon dioxide away from the tissues. Red cells contain a chemical called hemoglobin which absorbs oxygen and gives blood its red color. Blood which returns to the heart is a darkened red color due to the lack of oxygen.
3.
White Blood
Cells White cells, also known as leukocytes, also make up the solid part of the blood. These cells serve a major purpose. They help fight off diseases by wrapping themselves around any dangerous microbe and engulfing it. White cells are not white but are of a colorless nature.
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Antibodies, which are blood proteins also aid in helping to fight off foreign invaders such as viruses. Antibodies also maintain the body’s immunity to disease by reacting to foreign substances before a disease can occur.
4. Platelets They are tiny living colorless particles in the solid part of the blood that help form blood clots. Drops of blood coming out of a cut begin to thicken. They cling together. Instead of being liquid, the blood turns to a jelly that fills the cut completely. This jelly hardens, forming a seal which prevents blood from leaking out and prevents bacteria from creeping in.
From the above information, students can see why blood is so important and so vital for life. The responsibility of the blood for transporting Op and C02 to all areas of the body is essential otherwise damage to cells and tissues can occur.
Students might have problems memorizing these facts about the four main parts of the blood. Therefore, prepared slides of each type of blood cell can be viewed under the microscope. Students can draw, color and label each cell and give one function below each diagram. Once they become familiar with the terms then a noncompetitive game can be played in the room.
Lesson-(Hands on Activity)
Have the class make signs with paper and markers. These signs will include words, phrases or sentences that relate to the blood and its structure.
1. Carries Oxygen
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3. Proteins
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2. Hemoglobin
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4. Leukocytes
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Divide the class into four groups. Have each group select the specific part of the blood that they want to be. Next, each group must work on and come up with a costume that best fits and describes that part. For example, the group that picked being a red blood cell might make a red costume out of red painted sheets or bags. Being a platelet might be hard but since a platelet has no color clear plastic bags from laundry mats might work. When the costumes are done, each group selects a student to wear the costume. You now have a red cell, white cell, platelet and plasma (yellowish). The students proceed to sit in their seats with their signs (tape on the bask of each sign). Students may make more than one sign but no more than three. Start the game by sending each blood part down each aisle very slowly. When a student with a sign sees the right part of the blood that will match or is related to his or her sign then they can tape it on. Once each part of the blood has been taped on by each student, the teacher and students then go through each sign and see if they are in the right category. (Prizes can be given to the best costumes)
Students have fun working together on this game. They make all the tools and equipment necessary for the game. No one loses and vocabulary and spelling skills have been taught. Also, word association between the sign and blood part enables the students to learn by visual experiences. The learning process becomes fun, at the same time helpful.
III. Blood Vessels (Types and Functions)
Concept
: Blood vessels are the structures responsible for carrying and transporting blood throughout the body. They include arteries, veins, and capillaries.