COMPOSITION AND FUNCTIONS OF BLOOD
The blood is a tissue.
It is about 5-6 liters in the body.
It comprises two major components, the blood cells (corpuscles) and the plasma.
BLOOD CELLS
Red blood cells (erythrocytes)
White blood cells (leucocytes)
Blood platelets (thrombocytes)
Blood Cells Description Function
RBC i. Small, round and disc-like in i. Helps to transport
shape oxygen from lungs to
ii. Has no nucleus. body cells haemoglobin.
iii. One cubic liter of blood has ii. The pigment combines
about 5.5million of red blood readily with oxygen to
cells. form oxyhaemoglobin in
the lungs.
iv. Has a life span about 120 days
WBC i. Irregular (amoeboid in shape) i. Help to defend the
body against diseases
ii. Relatively large and colourless by engulfing pathogens
(larger than RBC but fewer) or by secreting
antibodies.
iii. Contain nucleus and about 5,000-
10,000 per cubic ml. of blood.
Platelets i. Tiny, Irregular fragments Aids in blood clotting
ii. Have no nucleus.
iii. Fewer in number and smaller in
size than RBC.
iv. About 250,000 – 400,000 per
cubic ml of blood.
v. Produced in red bone marrow.
Blood plasma i. Liquid component of blood Transport dissolved substances
and blood cells.
ii. A pale-yellow liquid made up
mainly of water (about 90%) with
other dissolved substances like
plasma proteins, antibodies,
hormones, enzymes, gases,
digested food, salts, and waste
products.
Lymph 1. A colourless liquid in lymphatic Body defense by producing
system that has similar white blood cells.
composition to the tissue fluid
Pathogens found in the
but contains extra lymphocytes.
lymph are pushed out in the
2. Has no red cell. lymph node and engulfed by
phagocytes.
Absorption of fatty acid and
glycerol.
White blood cells are of two types.
Phagocytes- found in lymphatic system, ingest bacteria, viruses, and dead cells to
prevent diseases in a process called phagocytosis.
Lymphocytes- made in lymph glands, produce antibodies i.e. chemicals which stick
to the surface of germs to kill them.
GENERAL FUNCTIONS OF BLOOD
1. Oxygen is transported through hemoglobin.
2. Temperature regulation by evenly distributing heat produced in the liver and
the muscles.
3. Transportation of digested food from the villi to all body cells and tissues for
use or storage.
4. Transportation of excretory products (C02, water, urea) from site of
production to excretory organs like skin, lungs, liver, and kidney for removal
5. Transfer of hormones from production site to target organs.
6. Transportation of water to various cells for metabolic activities.
7. Blood clotting initiated by the platelets when an injury is sustained.
8. Production of anti-bodies by the WBC for destroying pathogens
MECHANISM OF BLOOD CLOTTING
When a blood vessel is damaged and exposed to air, platelets in the blood
release an enzyme called thrombokinase.
The enzyme converts prothrombin (inactive blood protein) to an enzyme called
thrombin.
The thrombin then converts the soluble fibrinogen in the plasma to insoluble
fibrin in the presence of calcium ions.
The threadlike fibrin then forms a network or mesh on the surface of the
wound and blood cells are trapped within the mesh to form a clot.
The clot dries to scab over the wound.
Importance of Blood Clotting
Prevents loss of more blood from the body.
Ensues healing of wounds and protection of tissues beneath the scab.
Prevents the entry of pathogens into the body.
The inability of blood to clot easily in certain individuals is called haemophilia.
This is a hereditary disease that is sex-linked, it shows in males while
females are carriers.
Haemophiliacs lack the enzyme thrombokinase which promotes clotting of
blood.
