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The River of Life: Understanding Blood and its Composition

Blood is a vital fluid tissue in the human body, classified as a connective tissue. Learn about its components, physical characteristics, and important functions in distributing substances, regulating blood levels, and providing protection.

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The River of Life: Understanding Blood and its Composition

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  1. Blood

  2. Blood-the “River of Life” Blood is the only fluid tissue in the human body. Blood is classified as a connective tissue. Blood carries nutrients, waste, and body heat through blood vessels. • Components of blood • Living cells • Formed elements • Non-living matrix • Plasma

  3. Blood Composition If blood is centrifuged • Erythrocytes sink to the bottom (45% of blood, a percentage known as the hematocrit) • Buffy coat contains leukocytes and platelets (less than 1% of blood) • Buffy coat is a thin, whitish layer between the erythrocytes and plasma • Plasma rises to the top (55% of blood) The formed elements (blood cells) make blood heavier and 5 times thicker (more viscous) than water.

  4. Blood Figure 10.1 (2 of 2)

  5. Physical Characteristics of Blood • Color range • Oxygen-rich blood is scarlet red • Oxygen-poor blood is dull red • pH must remain between 7.35–7.45 Acidosis (pH7. 2) Death (pH 7)

  6. Physical Characteristics of Blood • Blood temperature is slightly higher than body temperature at 100.4°F • In a healthy man, blood volume is about 5–6 liters or about 6 quarts • Blood makes up 8% of body weight

  7. Functions of Blood Functions include (More details on next 3 slides) Distributing substances Regulating blood levels of substances Protection

  8. Distribution Functions Delivering O2 and nutrients to body cells Transporting metabolic wastes to lungs and kidneys for elimination Transporting hormones from endocrine organs to target organs

  9. Regulation Functions Maintaining body temperature by absorbing and distributing heat Maintaining normal pH using buffers; alkaline reserve of bicarbonate ions Maintaining adequate fluid volume in circulatory system

  10. Protection Functions Preventing blood loss Plasma proteins and platelets initiate clot formation Preventing infection Antibodies Complement proteins WBCs

  11. Blood Plasma Composition • Composed of approximately 90% water • Includes many dissolved substances • Nutrients • Salts (electrolytes) • Respiratory gases • Hormones • Plasma proteins • Waste products

  12. Blood Plasma • Plasma proteins • Most abundant solutes in plasma • Most plasma proteins are made by liver • Various plasma proteins include • Albumin—regulates osmotic pressure • Fibrinogen: Clotting proteins—help to stem blood loss when a blood vessel is injured • Globulins: Antibodies—help protect the body from pathogens

  13. Blood Plasma: Homeostatic imbalances • Acidosis • Blood becomes too acidic • Alkalosis • Blood becomes too basic • In each scenario, the respiratory system and kidneys help restore blood pH to normal

  14. Formed Elements • Erythrocytes • Red blood cells (RBCs) • Leukocytes • White blood cells (WBCs) • Platelets • Cell fragments

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