What are the four basic components of blood?

1 Answer
Dec 4, 2017

Plasma(55%), red blood cells(45%), white blood cells(1%) and platelets("present per microliter of blood").

Explanation:

Plasma:
Blood plasma contain following components;

  • Water to 90%.
  • In organic or mineral ions to 0.9%
  • Plasma proteins i.e antibodies, prothrombin,albumin and fibrinogin to 7-9%
  • Organic nutrients i.e glucose, fats, amnio acids, phospholipids etc
  • Nitrogenous wastes i.e urea and uric acid to Small amount
  • Gases i.e CO_2 and O_2.

enter image source here
https://www.oneblood.org/about-donating/blood-donor-basics/what-is-blood/

Red Blood Cells:
The cytoplasm of a red blood cell contain:

  • Haemoglobin to 95%(for dry weight) and about 35%(if water is counted).

  • Enzymes, salts and other proteins to 5%

enter image source here
https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5260

White Blood Cells:
WBCs don't contain any pigment.These are much larger in size than red blood cells. They are grouped into
color(blue)("granulocytes i.e neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils") and color(green)(" agranulocytes i.e monocytes and lymhphocytes".

  • Monocytes and neutrophils to kill the invader microbes by damaging or digesting them by phagocytosis.

  • Basophils to produce heparin and histamine. Heparin inhibits clotting of blood. Histamine participates in allergic reactions.

  • Lymphocytes to provide immunity against disease.

  • Eosinophils to Inactivate inflammation producing subsances and attack parasites.

enter image source here
commons.wikimedia.orgcommons.wikimedia.org
Platelets:
Platelets also don't contain any pigment.

  • Platelets don't have nucleus thus can't fit in the definition of cells.

  • These are fragments of large cells called megakaryocytes.

  • Platelets prevent bleeding by making blood clot at the site of injury.
    These convert the soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin . The fibrin protein enmesh the red blood cells and other platelets in the area of damaged tissue and ultimately forms clot which act as a temporary seal to prevent bleeding.
    enter image source here
    https://www.medicinenet.com/image-collection/blood_clot_picture/picture.htm