Blood Model Project
Our blood is our life force, and for most kids it is scary to see when they cut themselves but also fascinating to learn what is inside their body. Today we are going to learn more about the body’s circulatory system and specifically the components of blood. This is an essential curriculum component that we are going to bring to life by making a Blood Model. This classroom project can provide a vivid, interactive learning experience that enhances students’ understanding of human biology and encourages their curiosity about how their own bodies work. So, grab your lab coats and prepare to embark on a microscopic adventure through the bloodstream!
Build a Blood Model
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Today we are going to build a simple blood model where we can identify the different components that make up blood and how they could look in the body. I have a couple of ways you can do this depending on your teaching situation. First, let’s dive into a little blood biology lesson.
What is Blood?
Blood is a crucial fluid in our body, and the transportation of blood throughout our entire body is known as the Circulatory System. Blood performs functions like transporting oxygen and nutrients to cells, removing waste, and defending against infections. An adult has around 5 liters or 1.5 gallons of blood in their body. It makes up about 10% of your body weight.
Learn more about the Circulatory System with our printable lesson pack.
Parts of the Blood
There are several key components that in our blood:
Red Blood Cells (RBCs)
Red Blood cells make up about 40% of your blood volume and contain hemoglobin, which binds to oxygen and carries it throughout the body. RBCs are made in our bone marrow.
White Blood Cells (WBCs)
Also called leukocytes, these cells are part of the immune system and play a crucial role in defending the body against infections. There are a lot of different kinds of white blood cells, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.
Platelets
These are small cell fragments involved in blood clotting (coagulation). When a blood vessel is damaged, platelets adhere to the site of injury and release substances that help form a clot to stop bleeding.
Plasma
This is the liquid portion of blood, composed mainly of water, electrolytes, proteins, hormones, and waste products. Plasma serves as a medium for transporting blood cells, nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout the body.
Antibodies
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, are proteins produced by specialized white blood cells called B lymphocytes (B cells). They are a critical component of the immune system and help to identify, neutralize, and eliminate foreign pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. Antibodies recognize specific antigens (molecules on the surface of pathogens) and bind to them, marking the pathogens for destruction by other immune cells or processes.
All of these parts of your blood work together to keep your body working correctly, protect against infections, and facilitate all of the processes necessary for life.
Blood Types
Blood types are like labels that tell us what kind of blood someone has, and they’re determined by specific markers called antigens that are present on the surface of red blood cells. There are four main blood types which are determined by antigens. They are: A, B, AB, and O.
Each of these types can also be either “positive” or “negative,” based on whether there’s another marker called the Rh factor.
The most common blood type varies by population, but globally, Type O is considered the most prevalent, while AB negative is the rarest.
Something special about Type O negative (O-) is that it’s known as the “universal donor” type. This means that in emergencies, O negative blood can be given to anyone, making it extremely valuable for blood transfusions. On the other hand, people with AB positive (AB+) blood are called “universal recipients” because they can receive any type of blood.
Books about Blood
If you want a really cool book for younger kids that explores blood, check out A Drop of Blood, Let’s Read and Find Out Science or Cardiology for Kids – A fun picture book
Or for a more in depth exploration take a look at DK Knowledge Encyclopedias Human Body! or How the Body Works – The Facts Simply Explained
BLOOD VESSEL MODELS
Putting together a representation of what blood looks like in our body can help students have a better understanding of what all of these words mean. We are going to explore two different ways you can make a blood model.
Blood Model in a Jar
Materials
Red Hots or similar small red candy
Mentos or similar white candy
White sprinkles or similar
Light Corn Syrup
Colored Tiny Sprinkles
A clear glass jar or vase
Directions
For this model we want to start with a clear glass vase or jar. The different kinds of candy are used to represent the parts of our blood. We are going to layer them into the jar and then stir them around to combine the blood.
Light Corn Syrup = Plasma
Red Hots = Red Blood Cells
Mentos = White Blood Cells
Snowflake Sprinkles = Platelets
Colored Tiny Sprinkles = Antibodies
Fill the jar about half way with the corn syrup, then layer in the red hots – approximately a half a cup, then the mentos (maybe an eighth of a cup), a palmful of platelet sprinkles and a tablespoon of the tiny sprinkles. Use a chopstick or pencil to stir the candy into the syrup and then take a look. You can clearly see all of the blood components suspended in the syrup and intermixed with one another to form the blood model.
The kids love picking out the different parts of the blood and seeing everything suspended in the plasma. The colors in the candy don’t run and you can leave this one up for several days for observation.
Blood Model in a Blood Vessel
This model is cool because it also creates the blood vessel walls, just like our veins and arteries.
Materials
Paper Towel Tube or similar cardboard tube
Paint, Crayons or Markers (Optional)
Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Masking Tape
Aluminum Foil
Red Hots or similar small red candy
Mentos or similar white candy
White sprinkles or similar
Colored Tiny Sprinkles
Directions
*If you choose to use a glue gun make sure there are adequate safety precautions and an adult is in charge of the gluing.
For this blood model you will need to cut a cardboard tube like a paper towel tube down the length on both sides so you end up with two equal half circle long tubes. If you want to you can paint or color the tube but that step is up to you.
Now for the fun part. Tape over each of the ends of your tube so nothing can seep out and then using hot glue* or clear school glue put a bead of glue along the length of the bottom of your tube.
Layer in some red hots and then add another layer of glue, place a few of the mentos candies down the tube and then a few more red hots and some snowflake sprinkles and rainbow sprinkles. Repeat the process until you’re happy with the way it looks and then let it dry completely.
Reminder in this model:
Clear Glue = Plasma
Red Hots = Red Blood Cells
Mentos = White Blood Cells
Snowflake Sprinkles = Platelets
Colored Tiny Sprinkles = Antibodies
Remember when you’re placing the candies that the red blood cells are the most plentiful, there are only a few white blood cells in comparison to the red blood cells. Same with the platelets and antibodies.
These two blood models are very hands on and visual so the students get a nice representation of what the pieces are that make up our blood. Either would be great for a science fair because they are so bright and colorful.
Extension Ideas
Want to dive into Biology even more with your students? Make DNA Models or extract the DNA from a Strawberry.
Or perhaps you want to build cell models and learn the parts of the cells.
You can also build working, interactive models of the human lungs or the heart.
Have fun exploring and learning all about the human body!