Blood

• Blood

  Blood cells (red, white, platelets)

  Plasma
• Composition of blood?

  Blood cells:

  99% red cells

  1% white cells and platelets

  Plasma:

  90% water

  7% proteins

  3% other
• Founctions of blood?

  • Transportation of gases, fuels and minerals
  • Protection against infection and dehydration
  • Maintaining equilibrium (homeostasis) - balancing nutrients, enzymes, minerals and hormones
  • Thermoregulation
  • Bringing waste products to the kidneys and liver, to filter and clean blood
• Founction of red blood cells?

  Carry 02/C02 to body tissues and muscles via haemoglobin
• Founction of white blood cells?

  Fight infection by absorbing and digesting diseases
• Founction of platelets?

  Help form blood clot to stop bleeding
• Founction of plasma?

  Carries blood cells which continually pass through capillary walls and into cells. 90% is water
• White blood cells?

  • Fight infection by absorbing and digesting disease-causing organisms
  • They are also produced in bone marrow, lymph tissue and the spleen
• Red blood cells?

  • Removes carbon dioxide (CO2)
  • Carry oxygen to body tissues and muscles (O2)
  • Produced in the bone marrow such as sternum, ribs and vertebrae.
• Platelets?

  • Help form blood clots to stop bleeding and to prevent the loss of body fluids
  • Produced in the bone marrow 
• Plasma: Function?

  • Provides cells with nutrients
  • Transports waste products and assists with their removal
• Plasma: Characteristics?


  • Clear, yellowish fluid (90% is water) therefore counters dehydration
  • Contains ‘fibrinogen’ which helps platelets form blood clots