Blood

Because all animals have a circulatory system, blood is present in them. Blood is the crimson fluid that leaks from our bodies when we are hurt or injured. Blood is a sort of liquid connective tissue that aids in the transport of oxygen and nutrients to cells as well as the elimination of carbon dioxide and other waste products. In this post, we will learn more about the type, functions and more things about blood. Continue reading to find more intriguing information.

Blood Meaning 

Blood is a fluid that transfers oxygen and nutrients to cells while also removing carbon dioxide and other waste materials. Blood is a transport liquid that is pumped by the heart (or a comparable structure) to all areas of the body and then returns to the heart to resume the process. Blood is a tissue as well as a fluid. It is classified as a tissue because it is made up of similarly specialised cells that perform certain roles. Because these cells are floating in a liquid matrix (plasma), blood is a fluid. Death will occur within minutes if blood flow is blocked due to the impact of an unfavourable environment on highly susceptible cells.

Blood Functions

Blood is a kind of connective tissue that is liquid. The primary activities of blood in our bodies can be divided into two categories: transport and protection.

A. Blood transport

• Oxygen is transported from the lungs to the tissues. It happens when red blood cells combine with haemoglobin to generate the unstable complex oxyhaemoglobin, which breaks apart to supply oxygen to tissues when it reaches them.
• Food digestion is transported from the alimentary canal to the tissues. These compounds include simple carbohydrates such as glucose, vitamins, mineral salts, amino acids, and so on.
• Carbon dioxide is transported from the tissues to the lungs. It exists in blood plasma as a solution ain nd combination with the haemoglobin.
• Hormone distribution- Blood transports hormones released by the endocrine glands to various bodily organs.
• Excretory transport – Blood transports urea from the liver to the kidneys for excretion in urine.
• Heat distribution- Blood helps control body temperature by absorbing or releasing heat, a process called homeostasis.

B. Blood Protection

• WBCs are found in blood and defend the body from numerous infectious illnesses by absorbing germs that have entered the body.
• Blood also generates antitoxins and antibodies, which neutralise poisons or destroy infections that enter the body.
• Platelets in the blood create a clot around any cuts or wounds, stopping blood loss and the entry of disease-causing microorganisms.

Types of Blood

These are classified into three types: red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets.

1. RBCs are Red Blood Cells.

Erythrocytes are another name for red blood cells (RBCs). They contain an iron-containing complex chemical molecule known as haemoglobin. Haemoglobin binds to an oxygen molecule to generate oxyhaemoglobin, which then transports the attached oxygen to cells. The iron-containing molecule haemoglobin is responsible for the red colour of erythrocytes. Maturated red blood cells are small, biconcave, and disc-shaped. The presence of haemoglobin in RBCs allows the blood to operate as a transporter of oxygen from the lungs to the tissues.

2. WBCs are white blood cells.

Leukocytes are another name for white blood cells (WBCs). These blood cells combat bacteria and other foreign bodies, keeping our bodies safe from sickness. White blood cells have a nucleus and are colourless. They are bigger than RBCs, yet there are fewer of them. In 1 cubic millimetre of blood, there are around 5000 to 7000 WBCs. Many WBCs are produced in the bone marrow. They are spherical while they are in the blood, but they flatten and change shape as they move along the inner walls of the blood vessels.

3. Platelets of blood

Platelets are sometimes referred to as Thrombocytes. These platelets aid in the prevention of blood loss by causing clotting of blood at the site of damage. They, too, are produced in the bone marrow and have a lifetime of 8 to 14 days. In 1 cubic centimetre of blood, there are approximately 2.5 lakh blood platelets.

Main Components of Blood

Plasma, often known as blood plasma, is the liquid component of blood. Plasma acts as a transport channel for nutrients to the cells of the body’s organs and waste products created from cellular metabolism to the kidneys, liver, and lungs for elimination. It also serves as a transport route for blood cells and is essential in maintaining proper blood pressure. Plasma aids in the distribution of heat throughout the body as well as the maintenance of homeostasis, or biological stability, which includes the acid-base balance in the blood and body.

Cells of the Blood: These make up the remaining half, almost 45 per cent. Cells are classified into three types:

• Erythrocytes are also known as Red Blood Cells ( RBC)
• Leucocytes are also known as white blood cells ( WBC)
• Platelets or Thrombocytes

Erythrocytes 

They account for around 40% –45% of the total volume. They are produced at an astounding pace of four to five billion cells each hour from bone marrow. These cells have a lifetime of 120 days. The RBCs are destroyed in the spleen, which is also known as the RBC cemetery. Because of the presence of haemoglobin, an iron-containing complex protein, these cells are red.

Leucocytes 

Although they make up just 1% of the overall volume, they serve a critical role. They aid in the battle against illnesses and assault foreign substances in the blood. Because they lack haemoglobin, these cells are colourless. They are also continually produced by the bone marrow.

Conclusion 

Blood is a sort of liquid connective tissue that aids in the transport of oxygen and nutrients to cells as well as the elimination of carbon dioxide and other waste products. Blood is a kind of connective tissue that is liquid. Blood transport Oxygen is transported from the lungs to the tissues. WBCs are found in blood and defend the body from numerous infectious illnesses by absorbing germs that have entered the body. The presence of haemoglobin in RBCs allows the blood to operate as a transporter of oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. White blood cells have a nucleus and are colourless. They are spherical while they are in the blood, but they flatten and change shape as they move along the inner walls of the blood vessels. Platelets of blood Platelets are sometimes referred to as Thrombocytes. These platelets aid in the prevention of blood loss by causing clotting of blood at the site of damage.