Transfers hormones in endocrine system to target organs

Uncoagulated blood is used to measure erythrocytes and hemoglobin

92% water and 7% is protein (albumins, globulins, and fibrinogen), 1% electrolytes, gases such as oxygen, vitamins and wastes

Production begins in red bone marrow and starts from a myeloid stem cell.

Erythrocytes cannot survive more than 120 days in the bloodstream.

Function: pick up oxygen from lungs and release it into the tissues of the body.

Can move out of bloodstream into surrounding tissue through process called emigration.

Helps fight off infections by removing debris, toxins, and infections agents.

The process of forming a blood clot (coagulation) is needed in order to prevent continued blood loss from damaged tissues or vessels.

Platelets start coagulation, forming a platelet plug at the area of damage

Vascular Spasm- Smooth muscle drastically contracts near the site of injury so the blood flow to the area will decrease

Platelet Plug Formation- Platelets begin to adhere to the collagen fibers and endothelial lining of the ruptured vessel. As platelets stick together they form the platelet plug.

Injury- A break in a blood vessel resulting in blood flowing out of the body

Cascade leads to activation of prothrombin. When activated at injury site it becomes thrombin.

Thrombin converts fibrinogen to final fibrin clot. Fibrin is a thread like protein that forms a mesh and prevents anything from going through a damage vessel.