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# Blood Circulatory System The circulatory system is responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the body. ## Blood Components * **Plasma:** The liquid portion of blood (approximately 55%). Includes proteins, water and other substances. * **Formed Elements:** The solid...

# Blood Circulatory System The circulatory system is responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the body. ## Blood Components * **Plasma:** The liquid portion of blood (approximately 55%). Includes proteins, water and other substances. * **Formed Elements:** The solid portion of blood (approximately 45%). Composed of: * **Red Blood Cells:** Primarily responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. * **White Blood Cells:** Part of the immune system, fighting infection. * **Platelets:** Crucial for blood clotting. ## Blood Function The primary function of blood is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs for exhalation. Hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells, binds oxygen in the lungs and releases it in the tissues as needed. ## Temperature Regulation Blood also plays a role in regulating body temperature. Elevated body temperature triggers sweating. Conversely, when body temperature is low, shivering occurs to generate heat. ## Blood CO2 Regulation Blood CO2 levels are regulated to maintain homeostasis. High CO2 levels trigger an increase in breathing rate to remove excess CO2. Low CO2 levels decrease breathing rate to maintain CO2 levels.