Discuss the composition and function of mammalian blood. Long Question....
Answers
Mammalian blood is composed of plasma and three types of cells, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It is a light yellow-coloured alkaline liquid. It mainly consists of water (90–92%), proteins (7–8%), inorganic salts (1%) and other substances (trace amounts).
Functions:
(1) Transport of food: Digested food absorbed the blood and transported to each cell through circulation.
(2) Transport of waste products: Nitrogen wastes and other waste products transported by blood to the organs of excretion for their elimination from body.
(3) Chemical co-ordination: Hormones secreted by endocrine systems transported by blood regulates chemical co-ordination in body.
(4) Maintenance of pH: Plasma protein keeps the pH constant in blood.
(5) Water balance: Blood maintains water balance constant.
(6) Transport of head and temperature regulation: Blood allows the transfer of heat from tissue to tissue and maintains body temperature constant through out the body.
Plasma, which is a clear extracellular fluid formed elements, which are made up of the blood cells and platelets which help in blood clotting.
Function are as follows-
Transport
Blood transports the following substances:
Gases, namely oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2), between the lungs and rest of the bodyNutrients from the digestive tract and storage sites to the rest of the bodyWaste products to be detoxified or removed by the liver and kidneysHormones from the glands in which they are produced to their target cellsHeat to the skin so as to help regulate body temperature
Protection
Blood has several roles in inflammation:
Leukocytes, or white blood cells, destroy invading microorganisms and cancer cellsAntibodies and other proteins destroy pathogenic substancesPlatelet factors initiate blood clotting and help minimise blood loss
Regulation
Blood helps regulate:
pH by interacting with acids and basesWater balance by transferring water to and from tissues