What Is The Functions Of Each Component Of Blood?

Blood makes up 8% of the adult mass. There are 4-5 liters of blood in a woman and 5-6 liters in a man.

Blood is made of Plasma. Plasma is made of 90% water, 7% plasma proteins and 3% dissolved molecules. Plasma proteins include albumin that helps maintain the normal blood volume, alpha and beta globulins that help transport lipids and hormones, gamma globulins (antibodies) that defend the body against infection and fibrinogen that helps in clotting. Other solutes include glucose, amino acids, fatty and sodium, potassium. Other ions are present that help to maintain the normal concentration and pH level of the blood.

Red blood cells function to supply oxygen to all body cells. Instead of a nucleus, the red blood cells include a protein called hemoglobin that gives them their red color. Hemoglobin absorbs oxygen from the lungs forming oxy-hemoglobin. As blood passes through the tissues, oxygen is taken up by the tissue cells and carbon dioxide is given off to the hemoglobin by a process called cell respiration.

White blood cells play a central role in shielding the body against infection by pathogens. White blood cells have the ability to pass through capillary walls, by a process known as diapedesis and enter the tissues. The platelets function to clot the blood.