COMPOSITION OF

BLOOD
Dr. Suhas Ballal
THE IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS OF BLOOD ARE:

1. Transportation of gases across tissues

2. Transportation of nutrients
3. Forms a medium for excretion of wastes and harmful metabolites
4. Plays an important role in acid base balance
5. Regulates body temperature
6. Maintains water balance in the body
7. Participates in an active immune response

Dr. Suhas Ballal

Dr. Suhas Ballal
• A small amount blood is collected from a healthy individual,
allowed to stand at room temperature in the presence of
anticoagulants and spun in a centrifuge. The blood forms three
distinct layers;
– a clear straw yellow fluid layer (plasma),
– a thin white layer (leukocytes) and
– a solid red layer (erythrocytes).
• This profile of separated blood components is called Hematocrit or
Packed Cell Volume [PCV].
• Thus, blood can be broadly divided into cellular and non-cellular
components. Erythrocytes, Leukocytes, Platelets are the members of
cellular component and plasma is the non-cellular component.
Dr. Suhas Ballal
 RED BLOOD CELLS
• These cells are also called erythrocytes.
• Biconcave in shape and are non-nucleate. They
measure about 6-8μm in diameter and about 2
μm in thickness. Males : 4.3-5.7 million cells/μL;
Females: 3.9-5 million cells/μL
• They are devoid of mitochondria. Hence
glycolysis isthe only source of energy [ATP] as no
oxidative phosphorylation takes place.
• Functions: Transport of gases O2 and CO2
between lungs and other tissues.

Dr. Suhas Ballal

WHITE BLOOD CELLS Leucocytes

• White blood cells [3,500 to 10,500 Agranulocyte

Granulocytes
cells/μL] play an important role in s
immunity against infections.
• They are very diverse in structure and
function. Monocytes Eosinophils
• They are all derived from a single
multipotent stem cell in the bone
marrow.
Lymphocytes Basophils

Neutrophils

Dr. Suhas Ballal

1. Agranulocytes: cytoplasm appears clear.
a. Monocytes: large cells that mature into macrophages; known for
phagocytosis.
b. Lymphocytes: further classified into T-cells, B-cells and Natural Killer
cells.

2. Granulocytes: cytoplasm appears granulated

a. Eosinophils: stains with acidic dye – eosin. Associated with allergy.
b. Basophils: stains with alkaline dye.
c. Neutrophils: stain with hematoxylin and eosin. Found in large
numbers [~70%]

Dr. Suhas Ballal

Dr. Suhas Ballal
PLATELETS

• Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are the cells involved in the clotting of
blood during injury. A normal human platelet count ranges from 1,50,000 to
4,50,000 platelets per microlitre of blood.
• Platelets have no cell nucleus; they are fragments of cytoplasm that are derived
from the megakaryocytes in the bone marrow

Dr. Suhas Ballal