Isabella Carter
Blood is a specialised body fluid that is primarily composed of plasma and red blood cells, constituting about 55% and 40-45% of its volume, respectively. Plasma, the liquid component of blood, is a mixture of water, sugar, fat, protein, and salts. It plays a crucial role in maintaining blood pressure and volume, as well as supplying proteins for blood clotting and immunity. Red blood cells, known for their bright red colour due to the presence of haemoglobin, are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body. They constitute the largest portion of blood cells, with each cubic millimetre of blood containing 4-6 million red blood cells.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Largest portion of blood | Plasma |
| Percentage of whole blood that is plasma | 54.3% to 60% |
| Other components of blood | Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets |
| Percentage of whole blood that is red blood cells | 40% to 45% |
| Percentage of whole blood that is white blood cells | 0.7% to 1% |
| Main function of red blood cells | Carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and carry carbon dioxide back to the lungs to be exhaled |
| Main function of white blood cells | Protect the body from infection |
| Main function of platelets | Help with blood clotting |
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What You'll Learn
Red blood cells (RBCs) make up 40-45% of blood volume
Red blood cells (RBCs), or erythrocytes, are the most abundant cells in the blood, accounting for about 40-45% of its volume. They are produced in the bone marrow and circulate in the bloodstream for up to 120 days. RBCs are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and transporting carbon dioxide back to the lungs for exhalation. This vital function is made possible by the presence of haemoglobin, an oxygen-binding protein that gives blood its distinctive red colour.
The high proportion of RBCs in the blood is due to their small size and unique shape. RBCs are much smaller than white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets, allowing them to squeeze through even the smallest blood vessels. Their biconcave disk shape, with a flattened centre, further enhances their flexibility and facilitates movement through narrow spaces. This adaptability is essential for delivering oxygen to all parts of the body.
The production of RBCs is tightly regulated by erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone primarily produced by the kidneys. EPO stimulates the maturation of immature cells in the bone marrow into RBCs, which are then released into the bloodstream. Interestingly, RBCs lack a nucleus, which increases their oxygen-carrying capacity by providing more room for haemoglobin. However, the absence of a nucleus also limits their lifespan as they travel through the vascular system.
The percentage of whole blood volume composed of RBCs is known as the hematocrit, a common measure of RBC levels. The normal hematocrit value is around 40-45%, indicating a significant contribution of RBCs to the overall blood composition. This proportion ensures an adequate supply of oxygen to meet the body's demands while allowing space for other vital components, such as plasma, WBCs, and platelets, each serving their specific functions.
In summary, RBCs make up a substantial portion of the blood, reflecting their crucial role in oxygen transport and exchange. Their abundance, coupled with their adaptability and specialised structure, underscores the importance of RBCs in maintaining the body's oxygen balance and overall health.
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Plasma is the liquid portion of blood, accounting for 55-60% of blood
Plasma is the liquid portion of blood, accounting for 55-60% of whole blood, which is a mixture of about 55% plasma and 45% blood cells. It is a light yellow or straw-coloured fluid that is mainly water, constituting about 90-92% of plasma. Plasma transports blood cells throughout the body, along with nutrients, waste products, antibodies, clotting proteins, chemical messengers, and proteins that help maintain a proper pH balance in the body. Plasma also supplies critical proteins for blood clotting and immunity.
The remaining components of blood are red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Red blood cells, or erythrocytes, are the most abundant cells in the blood, accounting for about 40-45% of its volume. They are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and returning carbon dioxide to the lungs for exhalation. White blood cells, or leukocytes, constitute about 0.7-1% of blood and are part of the body's immune system, fighting off infections and removing cellular debris. Platelets, or thrombocytes, are not complete cells but small cell fragments that help in the blood clotting process.
Plasma has several important functions in the body. It helps maintain satisfactory blood pressure and volume and carries electrolytes such as sodium and potassium to the muscles. Plasma is also a source of vital proteins such as albumin, gamma globulin, and anti-hemophilic factor, as well as mineral salts, sugars, fats, hormones, and vitamins. These proteins and nutrients are dissolved in the plasma and transported throughout the body.
The separation of plasma from whole blood can be achieved through centrifugation, where the denser blood cells sink to the bottom, leaving the plasma at the top. This process allows for the isolation of specific proteins or blood cells, such as antibodies and clotting factors, which are crucial for treating immune deficiencies and bleeding disorders. Plasma is often donated and frozen to preserve its valuable clotting factors, and it can be stored for up to a year. It is commonly transfused to trauma, burn, and shock patients, as well as those with severe liver disease or clotting factor deficiencies.
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White blood cells (WBCs) are part of the immune system, making up 1% of blood
Blood is a specialised body fluid that performs many critical functions within the body. It is composed of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Red blood cells, or erythrocytes, are the most abundant cells in the blood, accounting for about 40-45% of its volume. They are responsible for carrying oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues and removing waste products.
White blood cells (WBCs) are another essential component of blood, constituting about 1% of its volume. They are part of the immune system and play a crucial role in protecting the body from infections and diseases. WBCs destroy and remove old or damaged cells, cellular debris, and foreign substances. They also produce antibodies and initiate inflammatory responses to defend the body against pathogens.
There are two main types of WBCs: lymphocytes and granulocytes. Lymphocytes include T cells and B cells. T cells help regulate the function of other immune cells and directly attack infected cells and tumours. B cells produce antibodies that specifically target bacteria, viruses, and other foreign invaders. Granulocytes include neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. Neutrophils, the most common type of WBC, form the body's first line of defence against infections. They have a short lifespan, so the bone marrow constantly produces new ones to maintain protection.
While WBCs make up a small percentage of the blood, their role in the immune system is vital. They work actively to identify and neutralise potential threats to the body, ensuring its overall health and well-being. WBCs are larger than red blood cells but are fewer in number. They use the blood as a transport medium but primarily perform their functions in the tissues.
In summary, white blood cells are a critical component of the immune system, constituting about 1% of the blood. They protect the body from infections and diseases by destroying harmful cells and foreign substances, producing antibodies, and promoting inflammatory responses. The two main types of WBCs, lymphocytes and granulocytes, work together to defend the body against a range of health threats.
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Platelets are cell fragments that aid in blood clotting
Blood is a specialised body fluid that accounts for about 7% to 8% of the average human body weight. It is composed of four main components: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Platelets, or thrombocytes, are small cell fragments that play a crucial role in the blood clotting process, also known as coagulation. They originate from megakaryocytes, which are large cells found in the red bone marrow. When a blood vessel is damaged, platelets rush to the site of injury and stick to the lining of the vessel, forming a platform for blood coagulation. This process results in the formation of a fibrin clot, which covers the wound and prevents further blood loss.
Unlike red and white blood cells, platelets do not have a cellular structure. They are small, irregular fragments that circulate in the blood and play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the vascular system. When a blood vessel is injured, the platelets in the vicinity are activated and undergo a process called adhesion, where they stick to the exposed collagen fibres in the vessel wall. This activation triggers a series of events that ultimately lead to the formation of a platelet plug, which is a temporary seal that stops the bleeding.
The process of platelet activation and clot formation is highly complex and involves multiple steps. Firstly, the platelets change shape and become sticky, allowing them to adhere to the injured vessel wall. They then release chemicals, including adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and thromboxane A2, which attract more platelets to the site and enhance their aggregation. This process leads to the formation of a platelet plug, which acts as a temporary patch over the damaged vessel.
Additionally, platelets play a crucial role in the activation of the coagulation cascade, a series of enzymatic reactions that culminate in the formation of a fibrin mesh. This mesh strengthens the platelet plug and provides a more stable clot. The coagulation cascade involves a number of clotting factors, including fibrinogen, which is converted into fibrin strands that intertwine with the platelet plug, making it more robust. This intricate process ensures that the body can effectively stop bleeding and initiate the healing process after an injury.
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Blood accounts for 7-8% of total body weight
Blood is a specialised body fluid that accounts for 7-8% of total body weight. It is composed of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The average adult has a blood volume of roughly 5 litres or 11 US pints, with men having slightly more blood than women.
Plasma, a mixture of water, sugar, fat, protein, and salts, is the liquid component of blood and accounts for about 55% of its volume. It transports blood cells throughout the body, along with nutrients, waste products, antibodies, clotting proteins, chemical messengers, and other proteins. Plasma is about 90% water, with the remaining 10% composed of vital proteins, mineral salts, sugars, fats, hormones, and vitamins.
Red blood cells, or erythrocytes, are the most abundant cells in the blood, accounting for about 40-45% of its volume. They are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and returning carbon dioxide to the lungs for exhalation. Red blood cells contain haemoglobin, which gives blood its distinctive red colour.
White blood cells, or leukocytes, are fewer in number and account for about 1% of the blood. They are part of the body's immune system and help protect against infection by attacking infectious agents and removing old or damaged cells.
Platelets, or thrombocytes, are not complete cells but small fragments of larger cells called megakaryocytes. They play a crucial role in blood clotting by gathering at the site of an injury and forming a plug to prevent blood loss.
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Frequently asked questions
Red blood cells make up the largest portion of the blood, accounting for about 40% to 45% of its volume.
Red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, are biconcave disk-shaped cells that contain haemoglobin, a protein that helps carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and returns carbon dioxide to the lungs for exhalation.
Red blood cells are bright red when oxygenated and dark red when deoxygenated. Blood gets its distinctive red colour from the large number of red blood cells, which get their colour from haemoglobin.
