Get It Right

The diagram below shows the flow of blood in a blood capillary with the blood cells in
it.
P Q R S

movement of oxgen and movement of excretory

dissolved food substances waste product

a) Name parts P, Q, R and S.

P: The wall of blood capillary

Q: Red blood cell

R: White blood cell

S: Plasma

Refer to the Science Matters Textbook Volume B, section 25.6 on Transport System in Man.

b) Explain how each of these substances are transported to and from the body cells by
diffusion.

i) Oxygen and dissolved food substances

The blood capillary has a high concentration of oxygen and dissolved food substances. They diffuse

through the partially permeable wall of the capillary into the body cells.

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 ii) Waste products
The body cells have a high concentration of waste products. These waste products diffuse through

the partially permeable wall of the capillary into the blood, which is of lower concentration of waste

products.

Refer to the Science Matters Textbook Volume B, section 25.1 on Diffusion. Diffusion to and from
the body cells is similar to diffusion to and from the air sacs of the lungs.

*c) Red blood cells change in shape as they pass along the capillaries. They assume the
bell-like shape as shown in the diagram. Suggest one advantage of this change in
shape.
Increase of surface area for faster release of oxygen to the body cells.

Recall the function of the red blood cells. Refer to the Science Matters Textbook Volume B, section
25.6 on Transport System in Man.

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