Combat infections Regulate body temperature Transport nutrients, oxygen and metabolic wastes

 Originate in bone marrow  Come from parent stem cells which mature into the various types of blood cells

 Plasma 55% of blood is plasma 91% water, 7% proteins, 2% other

 Water Maintains volume and pressure Transports nutrients and wastes  Proteins Albium, fibrinogen, immunoglobulins  Other Salts, oxygen, carbon dioxide, fats, glucose, amino acids, nitrogenous wastes, hormones and vitamins

 Red Blood Cells  White Blood Cells  Platelets

 Erythrocytes when mature lose nucleus and become biconcave  Haemoglobin transports oxygen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen ions  Antigens on red blood cells determines blood types

 Liver and kidneys are sensitive to low oxygen levels  Kidneys release REF and Liver releases globulins when oxygen in blood is low  Causes production of erythropoietin  Erythropoietin stimulates stem cells in bone marrow to increase production of RBC’s

 Granular Leukocytes Basophils Eosinophils Neutrophils  Agranular Leukocytes Lymphocytes Monocytes

 When platelets are damaged when impacting a damaged blood vessel it triggers the clotting process