Blood is a combination of plasma (watery liquid) and cells that float in it.

It is a specialized
bodily fluid that supplies essential substances and nutrients, such as sugar, oxygen, and
hormones to our cells, and carries waste away from those cells, this waste is eventually
flushed out of the body in urine, feces, sweat, and lungs (carbon dioxide). Blood also
contains clotting agents.
Plasma constitutes 55% of blood fluid in humans and other vertebrates (animals with a
backbone, spinal column).
Apart from water, plasma also contains:

Blood cells

Carbon dioxide

Glucose (sugar)

Hormones

Proteins

Types of blood cells:

Red blood cells - also known as RBCs or erythrocytes. They are shaped like slightly
indented, flattened disks. These are the most abundant cells, and contain hemoglobin
(Hb or Hgb).
Hemoglobin is a protein which contains iron; it transports oxygen from the lungs to body
tissues and cells. 97% of a human's red blood cell's dry content is protein.
Each RBC has a life span of about 4 months; at the end of their lives they are degraded
by the spleen and the Kupffer cells in the liver. The body continuously replaces the ones
that die.

White blood cells (leukocytes) - these are the cells of our immune system; they
defend the body against infections and foreign materials. Lymphocytes and ganulocytes
(types of white blood cells) can move in and out of the bloodstream to reach affected
areas of tissue.
White blood cells will also fight abnormal cells, such as cancer cells.
There are normally between 4x10 white blood cells in one liter of blood (making up
10

about 1% of total blood) in a healthy individual.

Platelets (thrombocytes) - are involved in the clotting (coagulation) of blood. When
we bleed the platelets clump together to help form a clot.

If exposed to air the platelets break down and release fibrinogen into the bloodstream,
this sets off a series of reactions which results in the clotting of blood in, for example on a
skin wound. A scab is formed.
When hemoglobin is oxygenated human blood is bright red.
The heart pumps blood around the body through blood vessels. Oxygen-laden arterial blood
is carried from the lungs to the rest of the body, and carbon dioxide laden blood (venous
blood) is returned to the lungs where the carbon dioxide is exhaled. Carbon dioxide is a
waste product produced by cells during metabolism.

What is hematology?
Hematology is the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of blood and bone
marrow diseases, as well as immunologic, blood clotting (hemostatic) and vascular
systems. A doctor who is specialized in hematology is called a hematologist.

Functions of blood

It supplies oxygen to cells and tissues.

It supplies essential nutrients to cells, such as amino acids, fatty acids, and glucose.

It removes carbon dioxide, urea and lactic acid (waste products)

Its white blood cells have antibodies which defend us from infection and foreign
bodies.

It has specialized cells, such as platelets, which help the blood to clot (coagulate)
when we are bleeding.

It transports hormones - chemicals released by a cell in one part of the body that
sends out messages that affect cells elsewhere in the body.

It regulates our acidity (pH) levels.

It regulates our body temperature. When the weather is very warm or during
strenuous exercise there will be increased blood flow to the surface, resulting in warmer
skin and faster heat loss. When environmental temperatures drop, blood flow focuses
more on the important organs deep inside the body.

It also has hydraulic functions - when a human is sexually aroused, engorgement

(filling the area with blood) will result in a male erection and swelling of the female's
clitoris.

Blood cells are produced in the bone marrow

White cells, red cells and platelets are made in the bone marrow - a jellylike substance that
fills the cavities of bones. Bone marrow consists of fat, blood, and special cells (stem cells)
that turn into the various kinds of blood cells. The main areas of bone marrow involved in
the formation of blood cells are in the vertebrae, ribs, sternum, skull and hips.
There are two types of marrow, red marrow and yellow marrow. Most of our red and white
blood cells, as well as platelets are made in the red marrow.
Blood cells in babies and very young children are made in the bone marrow of most of the
bones in the body. As we get older, some of the bone marrow converts to yellow marrow,
and just the bones that make up the spine (vertebrae), ribs, pelvis, skull and sternum
contain red marrow.
If a human experiences severe blood loss, the body is able to convert yellow marrow back
to red marrow as it tries to boost blood cell production.

Blood groups
Humans can have one of four main blood groups, either RhD positive or negative:

Group A - RhD negative or positive

A antigens are found on the surface of blood cells. Anti-B antibodies are found in the
plasma.

Group B - RhD negative or positive

B antigens are found on the surface of blood cells. Anti-A antibodies are found in the
plasma.

Group AB - RhD negative or positive

A and B antigens are found on the surface of blood cells. There are no antibodies are
found in the plasma.

Group O - RhD negative or positive

There are no antigens are found on the surface of blood cells. Both Anti-B and Anti-A
antibodies are found in the plasma.

Another protein, an antigen, may be found on some red blood cells - called Rh factor. Blood
cells that have Rh factor are RhD positive, those that don't are RhD negative. According to
the National Health Service (NHS), UK, 85% of the British population is Rhd positive.
When someone receives a blood transfusion, the medical team has to make sure it is a
compatible blood group.

Group O can be given to people of virtually any blood type.

Patients with Group A can only accept groups A or O.

Patients with Group AB + (RhD positive) can generally receive blood from any group.

If a pregnant woman is RhD negative, but her child has inherited RhD positive from the
father, the baby will need treatment.

Functions of Blood
Blood is basically a type of a connective tissue which is found in the human body in fluid
state. It is made up of plasma which is a highly viscous liquid and 3 different types of
blood cells that are floating around in it. Almost 92% of the plasma is water while the rest
consists of enzymes, hormones, antibodies, nutrients, gases, salts, proteins and
metabolites of various kinds. Besides plasma, the cellular constituents of blood are red
and white blood cells and platelets. What are the functions of blood? What about the
functions for each blood component?

Functions of Blood
1. Transportation

Blood is the primary means of transport in the body that is responsible for transporting
important nutrients and materials to and from the cells and molecules that make up our
body. It is the duty of blood to first take the oxygen processed by the lungs to all the cells
of the body and then to collect the carbon dioxide from the cells and deliver it to the
lungs.

It is also tasked with the job of collecting metabolic waste from up and down the body
and take it to the kidneys for excretion.

Blood also has to perform the task of delivering the nutrients and glucose generated by
the organs of the digestive system to the other parts of the body including the liver.

In addition to these tasks, blood also has to carry out the transportation of hormones
produced by the glands of the endocrine system.

2. Protection
Blood performs the important task of protecting the body from the threat of infections and
disease causing bacteria. The white blood cells found in blood are responsible for
safeguarding the different organs of the body by producing antibodies and proteins which
are capable of fighting off and killing the germs and viruses that can causes serious
damage to the body cells. The platelets present in blood handle the task of limiting blood
loss in the wake of an injury by helping the blood to clot quickly.
3. Regulation
Blood is also a regulator of many factors in the body. It oversees the temperature of the
body and maintains it to a level that is tolerated by the body with ease. Blood is also
responsible for controlling the concentration of Hydrogen ions in the body, which are also
known as pH balance. The administration of the levels of water and salt required by each
cell of the body also falls under the regulation duties of blood. Another regulatory task
performed by blood is to control the blood pressure and restrict it under a normal range.

Blood Components and Their Functions

1. Plasma
Plasma is the most abundant component of blood. It has a number of functions which
includes carrying glucose which is the most important nutrient required by each cell for
generating energy. The other nutrients that are also carried by plasma include vitamins,

cholesterol, amino acids, triglycerides and fatty acids. All of these nutrients are carried by
plasma to and from each and every cell present in the body.
Plasma is also responsible for the transportation of Cortisol and thyroxin hormones,
which attach themselves to the plasma proteins and are then taken to all parts of the
body. Homeostasis and management of the functioning of cells is also among the duties
performed by plasma with the help of the inorganic ions that it contains in large
quantities.
Healing of wounds and stopping spillage of blood through clotting is another function of
plasma which is made possible due to the presence of clotting agents in it. Plasma even
plays a part in helping the body fight against the germs and infections thanks to the
antibodies named gammaglobulins that are present in it.
2. White Blood Cells
The infections that threaten to damage the body are handled by the white blood cells
found in blood. White blood cells contain bacterial agents trying to penetrate into the
body. These cells which are also known by the name of leukocytes are formed in the
stem cells of the bone morrow and start circulating in the body by means of blood as well
as the lymph fluid. The whole immune system of a human body is dependent on these
white blood cells to identify the pathogens, cells with cancerous material in them and
matters which is foreign to the body. In addition to identifying them, leukocytes are also
tasked with the duty of destroying and cleaning the body of these enemy cells.
3. Red Blood Cells
The main job assigned to the red blood cells present in the blood is to make sure that the
oxygen is delivered to all the cells of the body when the pumping of the blood has been
carried out by the heart. The red blood cells have a very quick speed at which they travel
through both the veins and arteries. The veins have a relatively smaller wall around them
as compared to the arteries since the pressure of the blood is not too intense when it
passes through them in comparison to the arteries.
4. Platelets
The platelets are the lightest and the smallest components of blood. Due to their small
size they usually travel near the walls of the vessels carrying blood. The wall of the blood
vessels which is made up of special cells named endothelium stop the platelets from
sticking to them. However, in the case of an injury, this layer of endothelium cells gets
damaged and the blood starts flowing out from the blood vessels. When this happens the

platelets react immediately and get attracted by the tough fiber which surrounds the walls
of the blood vessels. The platelets then stick to the fibers and begin changing their shape
thereby making a type of seal which stops the blood from flowing out of the body.

Components of human blood

The cells and cellular components of human blood are shown. Red blood cells deliver oxygen to the cells
and remove carbon dioxide. White blood cells (including neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes,
eosinophils, and basophils) are involved in the immune response. Platelets form clots that prevent blood
loss after injury.

Source: Boundless. The Role of Blood in the Body. Boundless Biology. Boundless, 26 May. 2016.
Retrieved 19 Jul. 2016 from https://www.boundless.com/biology/textbooks/boundless-biologytextbook/the-circulatory-system-40/components-of-the-blood-225/the-role-of-blood-in-the-body-84612091/

Components of human blood

The cells and cellular components of human blood are shown. Red blood cells deliver oxygen to the cells
and remove carbon dioxide. White blood cells (including neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes,

eosinophils, and basophils) are involved in the immune response. Platelets form clots that prevent blood
loss after injury.

The Role of Blood in the Body

Blood is a bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the
cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells. The components of blood
include plasma (the liquid portion, which contains water, proteins, salts, lipids, and glucose), red blood
cells and white blood cells, and cell fragments called platelets .

Components of human blood

The cells and cellular components of human blood are shown. Red blood cells deliver
oxygen to the cells and remove carbon dioxide. White blood cells (including neutrophils,
monocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and basophils) are involved in the immune
response. Platelets form clots that prevent blood loss after injury.
Blood plays an important role in regulating the body's systems and maintaining homeostasis. It performs
many functions within the body, including:

Supplying oxygen to tissues (bound to hemoglobin, which is carried in red cells)

Supplying nutrients such as glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids either dissolved in
the blood or bound to plasma proteins (e.g., blood lipids)

Removing waste such as carbon dioxide, urea, and lactic acid

Immunological functions, including circulation of white blood cells and detection of
foreign material by antibodies
Coagulation, which is one part of the body's self-repair mechanism (blood clotting by
the platelets after an open wound in order to stop bleeding)
Messenger functions, including the transport of hormones and the signaling of tissue
damage

Regulating body pH

Regulating core body temperature

Hydraulic functions, including the regulation of the colloidal osmotic pressure of blood
Medical terms related to blood often begin with hemo- or hemato- (also spelled haemo- and haemato-),
which is from the Greek word (haima) for "blood". In terms of anatomy and histology, blood is
considered a specialized form of connective tissue, given its origin in the bones.