Blood

Blood is one of the most important components of life. Almost any animal that possesses a
circulatory system has blood. From an evolutionary perspective, blood was speculated to
have risen from a type of cell that was responsible for phagocytosis and nutrition. Billions of
years later, blood and the circulatory system have drastically helped the evolution of more
complex lifeforms.

Table of Contents

Types Of Blood Cells

Components Of Blood

Blood Vessels

Functions Of Blood

What is Blood?

Blood is a fluid connective tissue that consists of plasma, blood cells and platelets. It circulates
throughout our body delivering oxygen and nutrients to various cells and tissues. It makes up 8% of
our body weight. An average adult possesses around 5-6 litres of blood.
Types of Blood Cells
We have seen blood consist of cells known as formed elements of blood. These cells have
their own functions and roles to play in the body. The blood cells which circulate all around
the body are as follows:

Red blood cells (Erythrocytes)

RBCs are biconcave cells without nucleus in humans; also known as erythrocytes. RBCs
contain the iron-rich protein called haemoglobin; give blood its red colour. RBCs are the
most copious blood cells produced in bone marrows. Their main function is to transport
oxygen from and to various tissues and organs.

White blood cells (Leucocytes)

Leucocytes are colourless blood cells. They are colourless because it is devoid of
haemoglobin. They are further classified as granulocytes and agranulocytes. WBCs mainly
contribute to immunity and defence mechanism.

Red Blood Cells are red due to Hemoglobin, which is a transport molecule and also a pigment. As a
result, blood is red.

Types of White Blood Cells

There are five different types of White blood cells and are classified mainly based on the
presence and absence of granules.

• Granulocytes
 • Agranulocytes

There are five types of white blood cells present in the blood

Granulocytes
They are leukocytes, with the presence of granules in their cytoplasm. The granulated cells
include- eosinophil, basophil, and neutrophil.

Eosinophils
• They are the cells of leukocytes, which are present in the immune system.

• These cells are responsible for combating infections in parasites of vertebrates and for
controlling mechanisms associated with allergy and asthma.

• Eosinophil cells are small granulocyte, which are produced in the bone marrow and
makes 2 to 3 per cent of whole WBCs. These cells are present in high concentrations
in the digestive tract.
Basophils
• They are the least common of the granulocytes, ranging from 0.5 to 1 per cent of
WBCs.

• They contain large cytoplasmic granules, which play a vital role in mounting a non-
specific immune response to pathogens, and allergic reactions by releasing histamine
and dilating the blood vessels.

• These white blood cells have the ability to be stained when exposed to basic dyes,
hence referred to as basophil.

• These cells are best known for their role in asthma and their result in inflammation
and bronchoconstriction in the airways.
• They secrete serotonin, histamine and heparin.

Neutrophils
• They are normally found in the bloodstream.

• They are predominant cells, which are present in pus.

• Around 60 to 65 per cent of WBCs are neutrophils with a diameter of 10 to 12

micrometres.

• The nucleus is 2 to 5 lobed and the cytoplasm has very fine granules.

• Neutrophil helps in the destruction of bacteria with lysosomes, and it acts as a strong
oxidant.

• Neutrophils are stained only using neutral dyes. Hence, they are called so.

• Neutrophils are also the first cells of the immune system to respond to an invader such
as a bacteria or a virus.

• The lifespan of these WBCs extends for up to eight hours and is produced every day
in the bone marrow.

Agranulocytes
They are leukocytes, with the absence of granules in their cytoplasm. Agranulocytes are
further classified into monocytes and lymphocytes.

Monocytes
• These cells usually have a large bilobed nucleus, with a diameter of 12 to 20
micrometres.
 • The nucleus is generally half-moon shaped or kidney-shaped and it occupies 6 to 8
per cent of WBCs.

• They are the garbage trucks of the immune system.

• The most important functions of monocytes are to migrate into tissues and clean up
dead cells, protect against bloodborne pathogens and move very quickly to the sites of
infections in the tissues.

• These white blood cells have a single bean-shaped nucleus, hence referred to as
Monocytes.

Lymphocytes
• They play a vital role in producing antibodies.

• Their size ranges from 8 to 10 micrometres.

• They are commonly known as natural killer cells.

• They play an important role in body defence.

• These white blood cells are colourless cells formed in lymphoid tissue, hence referred
to as lymphocytes.

• There are two main types of lymphocytes – B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes.

• These cells are very important in the immune systems and are responsible for humoral
and cell-mediated immunity.

Platelets (Thrombocytes)
• Thrombocytes are specialized blood cells produced from bone marrow.

• Platelets come into play when there is bleeding or haemorrhage.

• They help in clotting and coagulation of blood. Platelets help in coagulation during a
cut or wound.
 Composition of Blood: Plasma, RBCs, WBCs and platelets

Components Of Blood
There are many cellular structures in the composition of blood. When a sample of blood is
spun in a centrifuge machine, they separate into the following constituents: Plasma, buffy
coat and erythrocytes. Thus blood contains RBC, WBC, platelets and plasma.
Plasma
The liquid state of blood can be contributed to plasma as it makes up ~55% of blood. It is
pale yellow in colour and when separated. Blood plasma consists of salts, nutrients, water and
enzymes. Blood plasma also contains important proteins and other components necessary for
overall health. Hence, blood plasma transfusions are given to patients with liver failure and
life-threatening injuries.

Components of Blood Plasma

Blood plasma has several protein components. Proteins in blood plasma are:

• Serum globulin
• Serum albumin
• Fibrinogen

The serum contains only globulin and albumin. Fibrinogen is absent in serum because it is
converted into fibrin during blood clotting.

Red Blood Cells (RBC)

Red blood cells consist of Haemoglobin, a protein. They are produced by the bone marrow to
primarily carry oxygen to the body and carbon dioxide away from it.
White Blood Cells (WBC)
White blood cells are responsible for fighting foreign pathogens (such as bacteria, viruses,
and fungi) that enter our body. They circulate throughout our body and originate from the
bone marrow.

Platelets
Tiny disc-shaped cells that help regulate blood flow when any part of the body is damaged,
thereby aiding in fast recovery through clotting of blood.

The above-stated elements form the composition of blood in humans. The only vertebrate
without haemoglobin is the crocodile icefish. It derives its oxygen requirement directly from
the cold, oxygen-rich water where it lives.

Also Read: Difference between Plasma and Serum

Blood Vessels
There are different types of blood vessels in our body each carrying out specialized functions.

Blood vessels are categorized into arteries, veins and capillaries