expain the components of the blood
Answers
Components of blood are as follows:
plasma
red blood cells
white blood cells
platelets
Plasma
It is a clear, slightly sticky, yellowish coloured liquid that contains the dissolved proteins, mineral ions, glucose, hormones, carbon dioxide, including the blood cells. Around 90% of the plasma is made up of water and around 6 % of it constitutes the proteins. Albumin is the main protein in the plasma, which regulates the osmotic blood pressure. 55% of the blood fluid is made up of plasma.
Blood Cells
These constitute the other half, around 45%. There are three types of cells, namely:
Erythrocytes or Red Blood cells ( RBC)
Leucocytes or White Blood Cells ( WBC)
Thrombocytes or Platelets
Erythrocytes – They form around 40%-45% of its volume. They are generated from the bone marrow at an astonishing rate of four to five billion cells per hour. The lifespan of these cells is 120 days. The RBCs are destroyed in the organ called spleen, which is also called as the graveyard of RBC. These cells are red in colour, due to the presence of haemoglobin, which is an iron-containing complex protein.
Leucocytes – They account for 1 % of the total volume, but have a very important role to play. They help in fighting diseases and attack the foreign bodies in the blood. These cells are colourless as they do not have haemoglobin. They are also constantly generated from the bone marrow.
Thrombocytes – These are cell fragments that are produced from the specialized cells of the bone marrow. Their role is very significant. They are responsible for controlling bleeding or in clotting of blood.