Blood Composition and Functions

Blood

• Composition:
  • Plasma (55%): water, proteins, nutrients, hormones, gases, waste products
  • Formed elements (45%): red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets
• Functions:
  • Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide
  • Regulation of body temperature
  • Transport of nutrients and hormones
  • Removal of waste products
  • Maintenance of acid-base balance
  • Defense against infection and disease

Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)

• Produced in: red bone marrow
• Lifespan: approximately 120 days
• Functions:
  • Carrying oxygen from lungs to body tissues
  • Carrying carbon dioxide from body tissues to lungs
• Characteristics:
  • Biconcave disk shape
  • No nucleus
  • Contain hemoglobin

White Blood Cells (Leukocytes)

• Produced in: red bone marrow
• Functions:
  • Defense against infection and disease
  • Phagocytosis (engulfing and destroying foreign substances)
• Types:
  • Granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils)
  • Agranulocytes (lymphocytes, monocytes)

Platelets (Thrombocytes)

• Produced in: red bone marrow
• Functions:
  • Blood clotting
  • Hemostasis
• Characteristics:
  • Small, irregular shape
  • No nucleus

Lymph

• Composition:
  • Water
  • Proteins
  • Fats
  • Waste products
  • Immune cells (lymphocytes)
• Functions:
  • Defense against infection and disease
  • Absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins
  • Removal of waste products
  • Transportation of immune cells
• Circulation:
  • Lymphatic vessels
  • Lymph nodes
  • Spleen
  • Thymus

Blood Composition

• Plasma makes up 55% of blood, consisting of water, proteins, nutrients, hormones, gases, and waste products
• Formed elements make up 45% of blood, comprising red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets

Blood Functions

• Transports oxygen and carbon dioxide
• Regulates body temperature
• Transports nutrients and hormones
• Removes waste products
• Maintains acid-base balance
• Defends against infection and disease

Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)

• Produced in red bone marrow
• Lifespan: approximately 120 days
• Carries oxygen from lungs to body tissues
• Carries carbon dioxide from body tissues to lungs
• Has a biconcave disk shape
• Has no nucleus
• Contains hemoglobin

White Blood Cells (Leukocytes)

• Produced in red bone marrow
• Defends against infection and disease
• Engulfs and destroys foreign substances through phagocytosis
• Types include granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils) and agranulocytes (lymphocytes, monocytes)

Platelets (Thrombocytes)

• Produced in red bone marrow
• Enables blood clotting
• Maintains hemostasis
• Has a small, irregular shape
• Has no nucleus

Lymph

• Comprises water, proteins, fats, waste products, and immune cells (lymphocytes)
• Defends against infection and disease
• Absorbs fats and fat-soluble vitamins
• Removes waste products
• Transports immune cells
• Circulates through lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus

This quiz covers the composition of blood, including plasma and formed elements, and the various functions of blood in the body, such as oxygen transport and waste removal. Test your knowledge of blood and its role in the body.