Anatomy and Physiology of Blood
Abstract
Every body contains blood. It is the life force that allows the body to function properly. It is a specialized fluid that is pumped by the heart and circulated through the body via a system of arteries and veins. It is an essential component of the body and without it we would not be able to survive. This paper discusses the anatomy and physiology of blood in a brief review. Anatomy and Physiology of Blood
The blood is made up of four main components. These are plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The blood is circulated throughout the body by one of two types of vessels; arteries or veins. This blood is known as whole blood, “a mixture of about 55 percent plasma and 45 percent blood cells.” (http://www.hematology.org)
Plasma is a water like liquid part of the blood. It consists of sugars, fats, proteins and salts. It is clear with a yellowish to straw colored tint. 92% of plasma is water and it makes up 55% of the total blood volume. In addition to the sugar, fats, proteins and salts, it also contains, “albumin (the chief protein constituent), fibrinogen (responsible in part for the clotting of blood) and globulins (including antibodies)” (http://www.redcrossblood.org). Although the plasma is primarily made up of water, it has many functions and is an important component of the blood. These functions consist of : Assisting in the transportation of the blood throughout the body. Helping to maintain the pH of the blood and also regulation of electrolytes in the body (http://www.ivy-rose.co.uk)
The red blood cells or erythrocytes are the “most abundant cell in the blood, accounting for about 40-45% of its’ volume” (http://www.hematology.org). They are bright red in color due to its oxygen content that they get from the lungs. This is the primary function of the erythrocytes. The following are the steps involved in blood oxygenation according to http://www.ivy-rose.co.uk:
• The right ventricle (of the heart)
Every body contains blood. It is the life force that allows the body to function properly. It is a specialized fluid that is pumped by the heart and circulated through the body via a system of arteries and veins. It is an essential component of the body and without it we would not be able to survive. This paper discusses the anatomy and physiology of blood in a brief review. Anatomy and Physiology of Blood
The blood is made up of four main components. These are plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The blood is circulated throughout the body by one of two types of vessels; arteries or veins. This blood is known as whole blood, “a mixture of about 55 percent plasma and 45 percent blood cells.” (http://www.hematology.org)
Plasma is a water like liquid part of the blood. It consists of sugars, fats, proteins and salts. It is clear with a yellowish to straw colored tint. 92% of plasma is water and it makes up 55% of the total blood volume. In addition to the sugar, fats, proteins and salts, it also contains, “albumin (the chief protein constituent), fibrinogen (responsible in part for the clotting of blood) and globulins (including antibodies)” (http://www.redcrossblood.org). Although the plasma is primarily made up of water, it has many functions and is an important component of the blood. These functions consist of : Assisting in the transportation of the blood throughout the body. Helping to maintain the pH of the blood and also regulation of electrolytes in the body (http://www.ivy-rose.co.uk)
The red blood cells or erythrocytes are the “most abundant cell in the blood, accounting for about 40-45% of its’ volume” (http://www.hematology.org). They are bright red in color due to its oxygen content that they get from the lungs. This is the primary function of the erythrocytes. The following are the steps involved in blood oxygenation according to http://www.ivy-rose.co.uk:
• The right ventricle (of the heart)