Blood is made up of 45% formed elements (platelets 4.8%
, RBC's 95.1%, WBC's 0.1%) and 55% plasma (mix of water, amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, hormones, electrolytes & cellular waste).
(WBC =leukocytes, RBC=erythrocytes, Platelet=thrombocyte). The # of RBC's in circulation determines the blood-oxygen carrying capacity. RBC's main function is respiratory gas transport, WBC's main task is fighting infection, Platelets stop bleeding and plasma is the liquid matrix in our blood. Creation of RBC's is called erythropoiesis and in the embryo & fetus RBC production occurs in the yolk sack, liver, and spleen, after birth, it is produced in the red bone marrow and is called Hemopoieses. RBC are produced by Hematopoietic stem cells and the avg life span of a RBC is 120 days. WBC are formed by hemocytoblast aka hematopoietic stem cells in red bone marrow and fight infection by squeezing between cells of wall of small blood vessels. WBC types include Granulocytes-Neutrophils, Eosirophils, Basophils, and Agranulocytes- Monocytes, lymphocytes. Platelets are large fragments of large cells in the red bone marrow and help repair damaged blood vessels by grouping up to their broken edges. The stoppage of bleeding by platelets is called Hemostasis. Low platelet count increases risk for internal bleeding. Plasma is clear and does not contain either of the blood cells or platelets. Plasma is 92% water but contains a mx of substances and functions to transport nutrients and gases , regulate fluid/electrolyte balance and maintain a optimal PH of 7.35-7.45. Blood Clots are formed by non circulation in uninjured areas or by injury. A clot formed abnormally in a blood vessel is Thrombus, if its dislodged and the clot travels through blood, its embolus. Types of clots include coronary thrombus, pulmonary embolism, infarction & atherosclerosis.
Bioncave disks make RBC's more flexible as they go through blood vessels, put oxygen in close proximity to hemoglobin and increase surface area for gas exchange. RBC's have 1/3 hemoglobin, Hemoglobin transports oxygen and SOME carbon dioxide through the blood. Oxyhemoglobin is created when oxygen combines with hemoglobin and gives blood its bright red color. when oxygen is released, deoxyhemoglobin appears and is darker red.