© Dennis Kunkel Microscopy, Inc. BLOOD

Little Known Fact: The average time that it takes for a red blood cell to go through the entire body is twenty seconds.

Cool Facts About Blood Blood is the only fluid tissue in the body. Blood is the only fluid tissue in the body. Blood distributes nearly everything that is carried from one area in the body to another place within the body. Blood distributes nearly everything that is carried from one area in the body to another place within the body. For instance, hormones are transported from the endocrine organs to their target organs. For instance, hormones are transported from the endocrine organs to their target organs. Blood helps maintain body temperature and normal pH levels in body tissues. Blood helps maintain body temperature and normal pH levels in body tissues. The protective functions of blood include clot formation and the prevention of infection. The protective functions of blood include clot formation and the prevention of infection.

Components of Blood Plasma Plasma Red Blood Cells Red Blood Cells White Blood Cells White Blood Cells Platelets Platelets

92% is water 92% is water plasma also contains proteins plasma also contains proteins 8% is dissolved food particles 8% is dissolved food particles Plasma is responsible for transporting things around the body and for maintaining the temperature levels within the body. Plasma is responsible for transporting things around the body and for maintaining the temperature levels within the body. Plasma

Red blood cells primary function of red blood cells is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the cells of the body primary function of red blood cells is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the cells of the body contain a protein called hemoglobin that actually carries the oxygen contain a protein called hemoglobin that actually carries the oxygen biconcave shape (disk with squished in middle) biconcave shape (disk with squished in middle) no nucleus (in mature cells) no nucleus (in mature cells) transport respiratory gases (oxygen & CO 2 ) transport respiratory gases (oxygen & CO 2 )

White blood cells almost four times larger than red blood cells almost four times larger than red blood cells different types of white blood cells different types of white blood cells some are responsible for destroying bacteria some are responsible for destroying bacteria some for repairing body tissue some for repairing body tissue some produce chemicals in order to fight infection some produce chemicals in order to fight infection

Although there are several types of white blood cells, there are many more RBC than white blood cells.

Once a white cell has left the blood vessel and migrated to the enemy, the next job is to EAT the microbe. This human macrophage is a professional "phagocyte" or eating cell (phago = "eating", cyte = "cell"). The macrophage is using its internal cytoskeleton to envelop cells of the fungus Candida albicans.

Platelets Platelets are cell fragments. Platelets are cell fragments. When we are injured, platelets gather at the site of the injury and stick to the edges of the wound. When we are injured, platelets gather at the site of the injury and stick to the edges of the wound. Platelets release chemicals that help start the process of blood clotting so that bleeding will stop. Platelets release chemicals that help start the process of blood clotting so that bleeding will stop.

Lymph not part of the blood, but a fluid within the body not part of the blood, but a fluid within the body tissue fluid (lymph) bathes all cells in the body tissue fluid (lymph) bathes all cells in the body provides cells with nutrients and removes wastes provides cells with nutrients and removes wastes liquid and dissolved substances can pass through walls of capillaries liquid and dissolved substances can pass through walls of capillaries red blood cells and proteins are too large to pass through red blood cells and proteins are too large to pass through WBC can alter shape to squeeze through the walls WBC can alter shape to squeeze through the walls

Blood Types Everybody has a blood type. Everybody has a blood type. The most common blood type classification system is the ABO (say "A-B- O") system discovered by Karl Landsteiner in the early 1900s. The most common blood type classification system is the ABO (say "A-B- O") system discovered by Karl Landsteiner in the early 1900s. There are four types of blood in the ABO system: A, B, AB, and O. There are four types of blood in the ABO system: A, B, AB, and O. Your blood type is established before you are born, by specific genes inherited from your parents. Your blood type is established before you are born, by specific genes inherited from your parents.

Why do Blood Types Matter? Before we knew about blood types, many people died after receiving blood transfusions, because… In a blood transfusion, the blood type of the donor and the blood type of the person receiving the transfusion must be compatible. In a blood transfusion, the blood type of the donor and the blood type of the person receiving the transfusion must be compatible. If the blood types don't match, special antibodies in the recipient's blood, called agglutinins, will attack the donated blood causing blood clots to form in a reaction called agglutination. If the blood types don't match, special antibodies in the recipient's blood, called agglutinins, will attack the donated blood causing blood clots to form in a reaction called agglutination.