What is the main role of plasma?
Reveal answer
To transport dissolved substances, e.g. CO₂, glucose, urea, hormones, and heat.
Key words: transport
3(h) TRANSPORT · RECALL
3.10 Role of plasma
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What is meant by the term urea?
Reveal answer
Nitrogenous waste made in the liver from excess amino acids.
Key words: urea
What is meant by the term hormone?
Reveal answer
Chemical messenger carried in blood to target cells.
Key words: hormone
What is meant by the term hydrogencarbonate ion?
Reveal answer
Main form in which carbon dioxide is transported in plasma.
Key words: hydrogencarbonate ion
Plasma cargo routes: for Carbon dioxide, give the important source and the destination/role.
Reveal answer
Important source: Respiring tissues. Destination/role: Lungs for exhalation.
Key words: Carbon dioxide
Plasma cargo routes: for Glucose/amino acids, give the important source and the destination/role.
Reveal answer
Important source: Small intestine. Destination/role: Liver and body cells.
Key words: Glucose/amino acids
Plasma cargo routes: for Urea, give the important source and the destination/role.
Reveal answer
Important source: Liver. Destination/role: Kidneys.
Key words: Urea
Plasma cargo routes: for Hormones, give the important source and the destination/role.
Reveal answer
Important source: Endocrine glands. Destination/role: Target organs.
Key words: Hormones
Plasma cargo routes: for Heat energy, give the important source and the destination/role.
Reveal answer
Important source: Active tissues. Destination/role: Other tissues/skin.
Key words: Heat energy
True or false, and why? “Plasma transports only nutrients.”
Reveal answer
False. It also carries wastes, hormones, carbon dioxide and heat.
True or false, and why? “All carbon dioxide is carried by red blood cells.”
Reveal answer
False. Most is transported in plasma as hydrogencarbonate ions.
True or false, and why? “Urea is made in kidneys.”
Reveal answer
False. It is made in the liver and excreted by kidneys.
What is plasma mostly made of?
Reveal answer
Water (with dissolved substances); it is a pale yellow liquid.
Key words: water
How does plasma help to spread heat around the body?
Reveal answer
Blood flows from warm, active organs such as muscles and the liver → carries heat to cooler parts.
Key words: heat
In what form is glucose carried in the blood?
Reveal answer
Dissolved in the plasma.
Key words: dissolved