a type of connective tissue that consists of cells and

cell fragments surrounded by a liquid matrix The cells (RBCs and WBCs) and cell fragments (Platelets) are called the formed elements The liquid part on the other hand is the plasma. The total volume in the average adult is 4 5 liters in female and 5 - 6 liters in male Blood makes up about 80% of the bodys total weight.

 Transport of gases, nutrients and waste

products Transport of processed molecules Transport of regulatory molecules Regulation of pH (7.35 - 7.45) and osmosis

 Maintenance of body temperature

Protection against infection and other

foreign bodies or substances Blood clot formation

PLASMA:

Plasma is a pale yellow fluid that accounts

for over half of the total blood volume. It consists of 91% water and 7% proteins, and 2% suspended or dissolved substance such as ions, nutrients, gases, waste products and regulatory substances.

 Helps Transport Oxygen and

Nutrients Facilitates removal of cellular wastes Maintains Blood Volume Balance of electrolytes Defends body from infection

 About 95% of the volume of the formed

elements consists of red blood cells or erythrocytes. The remaining 5% consists of white blood cells or leukocytes and cell fragments called platelets or thrombocytes. Erythrocytes are the most common of the formed elements in the blood. They are 700 times more than leukocytes and 17 times more numerous than platelets.

CELL TYPE Erythrocyte

FUNCTION Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide -Phagocytizes microorganisms -releases histamine which promotes inflammation and heparin which prevents clot formation -releases chemicals that reduces inflammation; attacks certain worn parasites -Produces antibodies and other chemicals responsible for destroying microorganisms; responsible for allergic reactions, graft regulation and tumor control and regulation of the immune system - phagocytic cell in the blood; leaves the circulatory system and becomes a microphage which phacytizes bacteria, dead cells, cell fragments and debris within tissue. Forms platelet plugs; release chemicals necessary for blood clotting

Leukocytes (GRANULOCYTES)
Neutrophils Basophils

Eosinophils

(AGRANULOCYTES) Lymphocytes

Monocytes

Thrombocytes

 biconcave-shaped cells with edges that

are thicker than the center measures 6.5-8.5 m anucleated or cells that do not contain nucleus contain hemoglobin which has the ability to contain oxygen

 The primary function of erythrocytes is

to transport the oxygen to the various tissues of the body and to assist in the transport of carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. Oxygen transport is accomplished by hemoglobin, which consists of four protein chains and four heme groups. Each heme consists of 1 iron atom that is necessary for the normal function of the hemoglobin.

 When hemoglobin is exposed to

oxygen, 1 oxygen molecule binds to the iron atom of each heme. Hemoglobin that is bound to oxygen is bright red in color, whereas hemoglobin without bound oxygen is a darker red color. Hemoglobin is responsible for 97% of the oxygen transport in blood.

MALE NORMAL RBC LIFESPAN 120 days

FEMALE 110 days

NORMAL RBC COUNT

NORMAL HEMOGLOBIN

4.6 6.2 X /L

4.2 5.4 X /L

13 18 gm/dL

12 16 gm/dL

 Are fragments of huge cells called

megakaryocytes a diameter about one-third that of red blood cells Platelets lack a nucleus and consist of cytoplasm (with few organelles) surrounded by a plasma membrane Platelets adhere to damaged blood vessel walls and release enzymes that activate hemostasis, the stoppage of bleeding.

BLOOD CLOTTING

A blood clot or thrombus, is the final

product of the blood coagulation step in hemostasis. It is achieved via the aggregation of platelets that form a platelet plug, and the activation of the humoral coagulation system or through the help of clotting factors

NORMAL PLATELET LIFESPAN

7 10 days

NORMAL PLATELET COUNT

150,000 450,000/cu mm