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Blood Composition

Overview
Plasma: 55% Formed Elements: 45%
Plasma Details
Water: 90% of plasma volume Acts as a transport medium, absorbs and distributes heat. Proteins: buffer blood pH, osmotic balance between interstitial fluid and blood, produce blood viscosity. Albumin is the most abundant; contributes to osmotic pressure. Immunoglobulin plays a role in immune defense. Fibrinogens are clotting factors.
Electrolytes: buffer blood pH and help maintain blood's osmotic balance, regulate membrane permeability.
Metabolic nutrients: respiratory gases (oxygen), glucose, fatty acids and vitamins
Metabolic waste: respiratory gases (carbon dioxide), urea and uric acid
Hormones
Formed Elements
Erythrocytes: 98-99% Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Leukocytes (white blood cells): 1-2%
Granulocytes (granules visible after staining):
    • Basophils: inflammatory response
    • Eosinophils: parasitic infection and allergic reactions
    • Neutrophils: most abundant, engulf bacteria
Agranulocytes (granules not visible under microscope):
    • Monocytes: engulf bacteria
    • Lymphocytes: B and T cells, differentiate in bone marrow and thymus
Platelets: fragments of megakaryocytes, function in hemostasis
Clinical Correlations
Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT): Poor blood flow causes clumping of blood fragments
Hemophilia: Occurs when a genetic mutation causes a clotting factor deficiency