BLOOD

Blood is a specialized bodily fluid and it contains three types of blood cells

COMPOSITION:
Red blood cells (also called RBCs or erythrocytes) – contain iron rich
protein called hemoglobin, giving blood its characteristic red color.

White blood cells (also called WBCs or leukocytes) – help fighting diseases.

Platelets (also called thrombocytes) – help in blood clotting.

PLASMA:
These cells that make up the blood travel through the circulatory system
suspended in a yellowish fluid called plasma. Plasma is 90% water and
contains nutrients, proteins, hormones, and waste products.

Whole blood is a mixture of blood cells and plasma.

Blood, in addition to platelets, also contains important proteins called

clotting factors such as fibrinogen etc.These clotting factors are vital for
the process of blood clotting.

FUNCTIONS OF BLOOD:-
BLOOD CLOTTING:
Although platelets alone can plug leaks in small blood vessels and even
temporarily stop or slow down bleeding, the action of clotting factors is
needed to produce a strong, stable clot. It is an important part of
hemostasis

NUTRITION:
Blood is a body fluid that delivers essential substances like nutrients and
oxygen to the cells of the body
EXCRETION:
It transports carbondioxide ,urea, lactic acid and other waste products
away from the cells

CIRCULATION:
Blood in our bodies is pumped by the heart through a network of arteries
and veins and even the heart cannot survive without blood flowing through
the vessels that bring nourishment to its muscular walls.

MEDIUM FOR HORMONES TRANSPORTATION:

Glands of the endocrine system release their secretions into the blood,
which transports these hormones to the tissues in which they exert their
effects

RECYCLING:
Many substances are recycled through the blood; for example, iron
released during the destruction of old red cells is conveyed by the plasma to
sites of new red cell production where it is reused.

PROTECTION:
Making body immune by circulation of white cells, and detection of foreign
material by antibodies.

BLOOD GROUP DETERMINATION:

The presence or absence of certain protein molecules called antigens and

antibodies are responsible for blood groups determination. The antigens
are located on the surface of the red blood cells and the antibodies are in
the blood plasma

REGULATION:
Regulation of body pH (the normal pH of blood - 7.35 - 7.45)
FEEDBACK CONTROL SYSTEM:
In blood feedback control systems are operative; thus, a declining level of
blood sugar (glucose) leads to accelerated release of glucose into the blood
so that a potentially hazardous depletion of glucose does not occur.