Components of the Blood

WHAT ARE WHITE BLOOD CELLS?

What are white blood cells?

• Whenever a germ or infection enters the body, the white blood cells snap to attention and race toward the infected area.
• The white blood cells are continually on the lookout for signs of disease.
• When a germ does appear, the white blood cells have a variety of ways by which they can attack.
• Some will produce protective antibodies that will overpower the germ. Others will surround and devour the bacteria.

OVERVIEW

SO A WHITE BLOOD CELL IS INVOLVED IN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM WHERE THEY ENGULF ANTIBODIES.

WHAT ARE RED BLOOD CELLS?

What are red blood cells?

• Red blood cells perform the most important blood duty.
• A single drop of blood contains millions of red blood cells which are constantly traveling through your body delivering oxygen and removing waste. If they weren't, your body would slowly die.
• Red blood cells are red only because they contain a protein chemical called hemoglobin which is bright red in color.
• Hemoglobin contains the element Iron, making it an excellent vehicle for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide.

OVERVEIW

RED BLOOD CELLS CARRY OXYGEN AROUND THE BODY TO ANY CELL FOR RESPITATION. HAEMOGLOBIN IS THE CHEMICAL THAT TRANSPORTS THE OXYGEN.

WHAT ARE PLATELETS?

What are platelets?

• The human body does not handle excessive blood loss well. Therefore, the body has ways of protecting itself.
• When, for some unexpected reason, sudden blood loss occurs, the blood platelets kick into action.
• Platelets are irregularly-shaped, colorless bodies that are present in blood. Their sticky surface lets them, along with other substances, form clots to stop bleeding.
• When bleeding from a wound suddenly occurs, the platelets gather at the wound and attempt to block the blood flow. The mineral calcium, vitamin K, and a protein called fibrinogen help the platelets form a clot.

OVERVIEW

PLATELETS ARE INVOLVED IN BLOOD CLOTTING

WHAT ARE

PLASMA?

What are plasma?

• Plasma is the liquid component of blood, in which the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are suspended.
• It constitutes more than half of the blood's volume and consists mostly of water that contains dissolved salts (electrolytes) and proteins.
• The major protein in plasma is albumin. Albumin helps keep fluid from leaking out of blood vessels and into tissues, and albumin binds to and carries substances such as hormones and certain drugs.
• Other proteins in plasma include antibodies (immunoglobulins), which actively defend the body against viruses, bacteria, fungi, and cancer cells, and clotting factors, which control bleeding.

OVERVIEW

PLASMA IS A STRAW COLOURED FLUID THAT CARRIES ALL BLOOD CELLS (IT IS THE FLUID COMPONENT OF THE BLOOD)