Extension

Model of Blood Activity

This activity will help you show a model of blood along with all its parts.
First you will need to investigate the blood components (parts). You might
use books from the library or the Internet. Pay particular attention to the
number of the different parts and how they compare to each other. Also
find out the size of the parts.
When you have finished, prepare a drawing with a graph of your findings.
You will use this in your model.
Procedure to make a Model of Blood:
1. Fill a jar with water
2. Insert red bingo chips to represent the red blood cells. How many do
you think you would have in comparison to the amount of liquid?
3. Place a top on the jar. As you shake the jar the chips will disperse
throughout the water, making it appear red.
As you observe the mixture, think about these questions:
What does the water represent in the mixture? Is it normally clear?
Why or why not?
What effect does the number of red chips have on the mixture?
What does it look like? What color is the mixture?
If the chips represent red blood cells, what effect might red blood
cells have on the color of blood?
Besides color, what can you find out about the purpose of the red
blood cells? Are they like all other cells?
Draw and label the mixture and what it represents below the graph you
made.
If you added white blood cells to the mixture, would they be larger or
smaller than the red chips?
What is the purpose of the white blood cells?