Blood Components

Blood Components

Blood is composed of several components that work together to perform various functions in the body. The main components of blood are:

Plasma

• Makes up approximately 55% of total blood volume
• Mainly composed of water (92%) and proteins (7%)
• Carries nutrients, hormones, gases, and waste products throughout the body
• Regulates pH and temperature

Red Blood Cells (RBCs)

• Also known as erythrocytes
• Produced in the bone marrow
• Contain the protein hemoglobin that carries oxygen from lungs to body tissues
• RBCs have a unique discoid shape, allowing for flexibility and surface area
• Average lifespan of 120 days

White Blood Cells (WBCs)

• Also known as leukocytes
• Produced in the bone marrow and lymphoid organs
• Play a crucial role in the immune system, fighting infections and diseases
• There are several types of WBCs, including:
  • Neutrophils: primarily combat bacterial infections
  • Lymphocytes: involved in cell-mediated immunity
  • Monocytes: mature into macrophages, which engulf foreign particles
  • Eosinophils: involved in parasitic infections and allergic reactions
  • Basophils: involved in inflammation and allergic reactions

Platelets

• Also known as thrombocytes
• Produced in the bone marrow
• Involved in blood clotting, forming a platelet plug at the site of injury
• Average lifespan of 7-10 days

Blood Types

• Determined by the presence or absence of specific antigens on RBCs
• ABO blood group system:
  • A: A antigen present
  • B: B antigen present
  • AB: both A and B antigens present
  • O: neither A nor B antigen present
• Rh blood type system:
  • Rh+: Rh antigen present
  • Rh-: Rh antigen absent

Blood Composition

• Blood consists of several components that work together to perform various functions in the body.

Plasma

• Plasma makes up approximately 55% of total blood volume.
• It is mainly composed of water (92%) and proteins (7%).
• Plasma carries nutrients, hormones, gases, and waste products throughout the body.
• It regulates pH and temperature.

Red Blood Cells (RBCs)

• RBCs, also known as erythrocytes, are produced in the bone marrow.
• They contain the protein hemoglobin that carries oxygen from lungs to body tissues.
• RBCs have a unique discoid shape, allowing for flexibility and surface area.
• They have an average lifespan of 120 days.

White Blood Cells (WBCs)

• WBCs, also known as leukocytes, are produced in the bone marrow and lymphoid organs.
• They play a crucial role in the immune system, fighting infections and diseases.
• There are several types of WBCs, including:
  • Neutrophils, which primarily combat bacterial infections.
  • Lymphocytes, which are involved in cell-mediated immunity.
  • Monocytes, which mature into macrophages that engulf foreign particles.
  • Eosinophils, which are involved in parasitic infections and allergic reactions.
  • Basophils, which are involved in inflammation and allergic reactions.

Platelets

• Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are produced in the bone marrow.
• They are involved in blood clotting, forming a platelet plug at the site of injury.
• They have an average lifespan of 7-10 days.

Blood Types

• Blood types are determined by the presence or absence of specific antigens on RBCs.
• The ABO blood group system consists of:
  • A: A antigen present.
  • B: B antigen present.
  • AB: both A and B antigens present.
  • O: neither A nor B antigen present.
• The Rh blood type system consists of:
  • Rh+: Rh antigen present.
  • Rh-: Rh antigen absent.

Learn about the main components of blood, including plasma, red blood cells, and their functions in the body.