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VOOZH | about |
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VOOZH | about |
Blood is a fluid present in the body, which is responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products. Red and white blood cells, platelets, and plasma are the key components of blood, the essential function of blood is; its role in immunity, clotting, and homeostasis. Blood circulates through arteries and veins, ensuring cellular function and overall health, while also helping in temperature regulation and maintaining pH balance.
In this article, we will study the components of blood, Types of blood cells, Functions of blood, Blood vessels and their types, Disorders of blood, and Blood groups.
Table of Content
Blood is a specialized body fluid that consists of plasma, platelets, and red and white blood cells that circulate through the body. It supplies essential substances, like oxygen, and hormones, to cells and organs, and removes waste from the same. Blood is 7% of the human body weight,and has an average density of around 1060 kg/m3.
Blood is thick in texture and its color varies from bright red to dark red based on where it is drawn from. A normal human has around 5-6 lt. of blood in his/her body.
If a sample of blood is studied under the centrifuge machine, it splits into the following components- RBCs, WBCs, Plasma, and Platelets. Blood contains the component haemoglobin which is responsible for its red color. The components of blood by percentage are as follows:
Blood | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes) | 45% |
| White Blood Cells (Leukocytes) | 1% |
| Platelets (Thrombocytes) | 0.1% |
| Plasma | 55% |
To know more please refer to the article Plasma And Formed Elements
The components of blood consist of plasma and formed elements. The formed elements include Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells, and Platelets.
White blood cells, are responsible for the immune system. They defend the body against infections and foreign invaders. White blood cells can be broadly classified as:
These are the white blood cells that lack granules in their cell's cytoplasm. Agranulocytes are further divided into two types:
Monocytes are large, phagocytic cells. They get converted to macrophages or dendritic cells after reaching tissues. Macrophages engulf and digest pathogens and cellular debris. The dendritic cells are responsible for triggering an immune response.
Lymphocytes are a diverse group of white blood cells. They are responsible for adaptive immunity. There are two types of lymphocytes:
These white blood cells contain granules in the cell cytoplasm. Granulocytes are further divided into three types:
Neutrophils are identified by the presence of a multilobed nucleus. They migrate to sites of infection, where they perform phagocytosis. These are the most abundant kind of granulocytes and help the body in fighting againt bacterial and fungal infections.
They get activated by allergic reactions and inflammation. They release Histamine and other chemicals that contribute to the body's response to allergens. They are very less in number in the blood.
Eosinophils have a bilobednucleus and get stained by acidic dye. These help in fighting against parasitic infections as they release chemical toxins which damage the outer membrane of parasites.
Also Read:Difference between Granulocyte and Agranulocytes
👁 GranulocyteFollowing is a list of blood function:
A blood vessels is a fine tube like structure that helps in the circulation of blood across the body. There are three different types of blood vessels in the body namely Artery, Vein and Capillaries. Below is some information on each of them:
Blood is responsible or performing major functions in the body. Any disorder in composition of blood or its function can result in severe harm to the body. Some of the blood disorders are:
| Disorder | Causes | Symptoms | Treatments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anemia | Lack of red blood cells or hemoglobin, often due to iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, or chronic diseases. | Fatigue, weakness, pale or yellowish skin, irregular heartbeats, shortness of breath, dizziness or lightheadedness. | Iron supplements, vitamin B12 injections, dietary changes, and treatment of underlying conditions. |
| Hemophilia | Genetic mutation leading to a deficiency in one of the blood clotting factors. | Excessive bleeding from cuts or injuries, many large or deep bruises, unusual bleeding after vaccinations, pain, swelling, or tightness in joints. | Regular injections of the clotting factor, physical therapy, and in severe cases, prophylactic treatment. |
| Leukemia | Cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system. | Fever or chills, persistent fatigue, weakness, frequent or severe infections, losing weight without trying, swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen. | Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplant, and targeted therapy. |
| Lymphoma | A type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. | Swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, fever, night sweats, weight loss, itchy skin. | Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplant, immunotherapy. |
| Thalassemia | Genetic disorder causing the body to make an abnormal form of hemoglobin, resulting in excessive destruction of red blood cells. | Fatigue, weakness, pale or yellowish skin, facial bone deformities, slow growth, abdominal swelling. | Blood transfusions, chelation therapy to remove excess iron from the body, folic acid supplements, bone marrow transplant. |
| Sickle Cell Disease | Genetic disorder that leads to the production of abnormal hemoglobin. Red blood cells become rigid and shaped like sickles or crescent moons. | Episodes of pain, swelling of hands and feet, frequent infections, delayed growth or puberty, vision problems. | Pain management, hydroxyurea, blood transfusions, and in some cases, a stem cell transplant. |
| Polycythemia Vera | A type of blood cancer that causes the bone marrow to make too many red blood cells. | Headaches, dizziness, itchiness, especially after a warm bath or shower, redness of the skin, shortness of breath, bleeding or bruising easily. | Phlebotomy to remove excess blood, low-dose aspirin, hydroxyurea, and interferon alfa. |
| Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) | A blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs. | Swelling, pain, red or discolored skin on the leg, a feeling of warmth in the affected leg. | Blood thinners, clot busters for severe cases, filters inserted into a large vein, compression stockings. |
People can have one of four primary blood groups. Every one of these groups can be Rh-positive or Rh- negative, shaping eight fundamental classifications. Individuals with group O blood can give to essentially any blood classification and individuals with AB+ blood group can normally receive blood from any group. To know more, please refer to the article 'Body fluids and Circulation'.
Blood is a connective tissue. It is a specialised fluid that circulates throughout the body. The components of blood are: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The main function of blood is transporting oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide and other waste materials to different body parts.
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