ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

BLOOD

Whole blood has two components: (1) blood plasma, a watery liquid matrix that contains dissolved substances, and (2) formed
elements, which are cells and cell fragments. Blood is about 45% formed elements and 55% plasma. Normally more than 99% of the
formed elements are red-colored red blood cells. Palecolorless white blood cells and platelets occupy less than 1% of total blood
volume.

Substances in Blood Plasma

Constituent Description
Water (91.5%) Liquid portion of blood. Acts as solvent and
suspending medium for components of blood;
absorbs, transports and releases heat.

Proteins (7.0%) Exert colloid osmotic pressure, which helps

maintain water balance between blood and
tissues and regulates blood volume.
Albumins Smallest and most numerous plasma proteins;
produced by liver. Function as transport
proteins for several steoid hormones and for
fatthy acids.

Globulins Produced by liver and by plasma cells, which

develop from B lymphocytes. Antibodies help
attack viruses and bacteria. Alpha and beta
globulins transport iron, lipids and fat-soluble
vitamins.

Fibrinogen Produced by liver. Plays essential role in blood

clotting.

Formed Elements in Blood

Name Number Characteristics Functions
Red Blood Cells 4.8million/2L (F) 7-82m diameter; Hemoglobin within
5.4million/2L (M) biconcave discs, RBCs transports most
without a nucleus; of the oxygen and
live for about 120 part of the carbon
days dioxide in the blood
White Blood 5000 – 10,000/2L Most live for a few Combat pathogens
Cells hours to a few days and other foreign
substances that enter
the body
Neutrophils 60-70% of all WBCs 10-122m diameter; Phagocytosis.
nucleus has 2-5 Destruction of
lobes connected by bacteria with
thin strands of lysozyme, defensis,
chromatin; and strong oxidants,
cytoplasm has very such as superoxide
 fine, pale lilac anion, hydrogen
granules peroxide, and
hypochlorite anion
Eosinophils 2-4% of all WBCs 10-122m diameter; Combat the effects of
nucleus has 2-3 histamine in allergic
lobes; large redorange reactions,
granules fill phagocytize antigenantibody
the cytoplasm complexes,
and destroy certain
parasitic worms
Basophils 0.5-1% of all 8-102m diameter; Liberate heparin,
WBCs nucleus has 2 histamine and
lobes; large serotonin in allergic
cytoplasmic reactions that
granules appear intensify the overall
deep blue-purple inflammatory
response

Formed Elements in Blood

Name Number Characteristics Functions

Lymphocytes 20-25% of all Small lymphocytes Mediate immune

WBCs are 6-92m in responses, including
diameter; large antigen-antibody
lymphocytes are reactions. B cells
10-14 2m in develop into plasma
diameter; nucleus cells, which secrete
 is round or slightly antibodies. T cells
indented; attach invading
cytoplasm forms a viruses, cancer cells
rim around the and transplanted
nucleus that looks tissue cells. Natural
sky blue; the larger killer cells attack a
the cell, the more wide variety of
cytoplasm is visible infectious microbes
and certain
spontaneously arising
tumor cells
Monocytes 3-8% of all WBCs 12-202m diameter; Phagocytosis (after
nucleus is transforming into
kidneyshaped or fixed or wandering
horseshoe shaped; macrophages).
cytoplasm is bluegray
and has foamy
appearance
Platelets 150,000- 2-4 um diameter cell Form platelet plug in
400,000/uL fragments that live hemostasis; release
for 5-9 days; chemicals that
contain many promote vascular
vesicles but no spasm and blood
nucleus clotting