Blood Functions and Composition

Blood Overview

• Blood acts as a vital transport fluid for oxygen, nutrients, and waste products.
• The heart pumps blood throughout the body, facilitating nutrient delivery and waste removal.
• Blood functions as both a fluid and tissue, essential for various bodily processes.

Main Functions of Blood

• Transports oxygen and nutrients to tissues and lungs.
• Forms blood clots to minimize excessive blood loss.
• Carries white blood cells and antibodies for immune defense.
• Delivers waste products to the kidneys and liver for filtration and cleansing.
• Regulates body temperature, helping maintain homeostasis.

Blood Components

• Blood is a red, denser, and more viscous fluid than water, attributed to hemoglobin.
• Erythrocytes (red blood cells) make up about 45% of blood volume.
• Leukocytes (white blood cells) and thrombocytes (platelets) constitute less than 1% of blood volume.
• Plasma, the liquid portion, accounts for approximately 55% of total blood volume and appears as a yellowish, sticky solution.

Plasma

• Plasma is a golden-yellow fluid consisting of about 91-92% water with a normal pH of 7.40.
• Composed of lipids, electrolytes, enzymes, sugars (glucose), hormones, vitamins, coagulants, and plasma proteins.

Plasma Proteins

• Serum albumin is the primary plasma protein, crucial for maintaining osmotic pressure and water retention in the bloodstream.
• Serves to regulate blood volume and pressure.