Blood, It's Components And Their Functions

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In this article, we will share detailed information on blood, blood components, and their functions. And if you are interested in more articles, then make sure to comment with us below.

Blood:

The human body has specialized fluid connective tissue called blood.

Components of blood:

1. Plasma (55%)
2. Red Blood Cell (45%)
3. White Blood Cell (less than 1%)
4. Platelets  (less than 1%)

1. Plasma:

                        

Blood plasma is a fluid that is the blood's liquid medium and it looks straw yellow in color. Plasma is called the 'Gift of life'.

• Plasma makes up about 55% of blood.

• The pH of blood plasma is 7.4 (7.35 to 7.45).

• The average human adult body has a volume of blood plasma of about 2.8-3.2 liters.

• Plasma contains about 91%-92% water.

• The blood of the AB group is of greater demand for plasma donation.

Functions of blood plasma:

• Plasma carries enzymes and salts, along with water.

• Blood plasma includes antibodies, clotting factors, and proteins like albumin, fibrinogen, immunoglobulins, etc.

• Plasma also includes electrolytes such as potassium, chloride, calcium, sodium, and bicarbonate that helps to maintain the pH of the blood.

• The main purpose of plasma is to transport hormones, proteins, and nutrients to all the parts of the body.

• The blood plasma having antibodies and proteins are mostly used for therapies for rare chronic conditions such as hemophilia and autoimmune disorders.

• Blood plasma also plays an important role in carrying waste from the cells and helps in the excretion of body waste.

2. Red Blood Cells:

The blood cells appearing red in color due to the presence of hemoglobin, hemoglobin is made of heme-iron part and globulin-protein part. RBCs also called erythrocytes, erythroid cells, and red blood corpuscles.

• RBCs make up 45% of the blood volume.

• RBCs are biconcave disc-shaped.

• It has a diameter of 2-2.5 microns from the side view and 7.5 microns from the top view.

• The average pH of the red blood cell is 7.4.

• The membrane of RBC is mainly composed of lipids and proteins.

• It contains hemoglobin- an iron-rich protein part but lacks a nucleus.

• RBCs are produced in the bone marrow.

• The average range of RBCs for adult men is 4.7-6.1 million cells per cubic mm. 

• The average range of RBCs for adult women is 4.2-5.4 million cells per cubic mm, hemoglobin range is 13.5-17.5 g/dL.

• The average range of RBCs for children is about 4-5.5 million cells per cubic mm, hemoglobin range is 12.0-16.0 g/dL.

• RBCs in the blood are replaced every 120 days.

Functions of red blood cells:

• The main purpose of RBCs is to carry oxygen from the lungs to all the body cells and tissues and to carry carbon dioxide, a waste product away from the cells and tissues to the lungs.

• RBCs protect and regulate blood circulation in the body.

• The RBCs are useful for the normal functioning of all body parts.

• The red blood cells are the source of electrons and ATP synthesis in the mitochondria.

• RBCs are required for the utilization of the energy that we get from consuming food.

3. White Blood Cells:

White blood cells in the blood are the cells of the immune system and are involved in protecting the body from foreign bodies and infectious diseases. WBCs also called leucocytes or leukocytes.

There are five different types of WBCs:

Granulocyte:

• Neutrophil

• Basophil

• Eosinophil

Agranulocytes:

• Monocyte

• Lymphocyte

1. Neutrophil (55%-70%), it is 12-14 microns in diameter.
2. Eosinophil (2%-6% ), it is 12-17 microns in diameter.
3. Basophil (0.5%-1% ), it is 14-16 microns in diameter.
4. Monocyte (2%-10%), it is 12-20 microns in diameter.
5. Lymphocyte (25%), it is 6-9 microns in diameter.

• The average WBC range in an adult person is 4,500-11,000 cells per cubic mm.

• The average WBC range in children is 5,000-10,000 cells per cubic mm.

• WBCs are produced in the bone marrow.

Functions of white blood cells:

• The main purpose of WBCs is to provide immunity against pathogens or foreign bodies.

• It is important for the production of antibodies.

• It plays an important role in phagocytosis, ingestion of pathogenic cells, or particles.

• It is the most important cells of the body to provide strength and immunity so that to prevent the body from falling sick.

• They are also important in destroying cancerous cells.

4. Platelets:

• The blood platelets are small, tiny cells that help in the clotting of blood to stop bleeding.

• Platelets are lens-shaped (biconvex discoid-shaped) cells.

• The normal diameter of the platelet cell is 2-3 microns.

• Blood platelets are produced in the bone marrow that is from megakaryocytes and has no cell nucleus.

• The membrane of the platelet cell is a bilayer of glycoproteins and phospholipids with soluble ligands.

• The average range of platelet in an adult person is 1.5-4 lakh cells per microlitre.

Functions of platelets:

• The main purpose of platelets is the maintenance of hemostasis (clotting or stopping bleeding).

• It is also important information about blood clots.

• It is important for the healing process of wounds in the body.

• It also play important role in dissolving the blood clots when they are not required anymore.

For disorders related to the components of blood read this article Blood Cells Disorders.

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