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

Blood Composition

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