12/01/2025
📌 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐃
✅ Blood: The Body’s Transport System
🔰 What is Blood?
◾ Blood is a specialized body fluid that transports essential substances throughout the body.
◾ It carries oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and antibodies to cells.
◾ It also removes waste products, such as carbon dioxide and urea.
🔰 Functions of Blood
◾ Transport of gases (O₂ & CO₂)
◾ Distribution of nutrients
◾ Removal of metabolic waste
◾ Body temperature regulation
◾ Protection against diseases
◾ Healing and blood clotting
🔰 Components of Blood
◾ Plasma – Liquid portion
◾ Red Blood Cells (RBCs) – Carry oxygen
◾ White Blood Cells (WBCs) – Fight infections
◾ Platelets – Help blood clot
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📌 𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐒 (𝐄𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐬)
✅ Red Blood Cells (RBCs)
🔰 Structure & Features
◾ Disc-shaped, flexible cells lacking a nucleus
◾ Contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds oxygen
◾ Live for about 120 days
◾ Formed in the bone marrow
🔰 Functions of RBCs
◾ Transport oxygen from the lungs to body tissues
◾ Carry carbon dioxide from cells back to the lungs
◾ Give blood its red color due to hemoglobin
🔰 Importance of Hemoglobin
◾ Helps maintain pH balance
◾ Enhances oxygen-carrying capacity
◾ Required for aerobic respiration
🔰 RBC Disorders
◾ Anemia – Low hemoglobin or RBC count
◾ Sickle cell disease – Abnormally shaped RBCs
◾ Polycythemia – Excess RBC production
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📌 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐒 (𝐋𝐞𝐮𝐤𝐨𝐜𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐬)
✅ White Blood Cells (WBCs)
🔰 Role in Immunity
◾ WBCs defend the body from bacteria, viruses, and harmful pathogens.
◾ They identify, attack, and destroy infectious agents.
◾ Vaccines stimulate the production of specific WBCs that help fight future infections.
🔰 Types of White Blood Cells
◾ Neutrophils – First responders to infection
◾ Lymphocytes (B & T cells) – Produce antibodies, destroy infected cells
◾ Monocytes – Become macrophages to clean dead cells
◾ Eosinophils – Fight parasites, regulate allergies
◾ Basophils – Release histamine during allergic reactions
🔰 WBC Count Significance
◾ High WBC count → Possible infection
◾ Low WBC count → Weakened immunity
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📌 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐒 & 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐌𝐀
✅ Platelets (Thrombocytes)
🔰 Function
◾ Platelets help in clot formation to prevent bleeding.
◾ They gather at the injury site, form a plug, and stop blood loss.
◾ Essential for repairing and regenerating damaged tissues.
🔰 Platelet Disorders
◾ Thrombocytopenia – Low platelets → Excess bleeding
◾ Thrombocythemia – Too many platelets → Clot risk
✅ Plasma: The Liquid Component
🔰 Plasma Composition
◾ Makes up 55% of blood
◾ Contains 90% water
◾ Includes proteins, salts, enzymes, hormones, nutrients
🔰 Functions of Plasma
◾ Carries nutrients to the body
◾ Transports waste to the kidneys for removal
◾ Maintains blood pressure & volume
◾ Regulates body temperature
🔰 Key Plasma Proteins
◾ Albumin – Maintains osmotic pressure
◾ Globulins – Antibodies for immunity
◾ Fibrinogen – Helps in clot formation
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📌 𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐕𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐒 & 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘
✅ Blood Vessels: Network of Transport
🔰 Arteries
◾ Carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body
◾ Thick, muscular walls to withstand high pressure
🔰 Veins
◾ Carry blood with carbon dioxide back to the heart
◾ Have valves to prevent backflow
🔰 Capillaries
◾ Microscopic vessels with thin walls
◾ Allow exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste between blood and tissues
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✅ Quick Summary
🔰 Blood = Transport + Protection + Regulation
◾ RBCs → Oxygen transport
◾ WBCs → Defense against infection
◾ Platelets → Clot formation
◾ Plasma → Transport medium
◾ Vessels → Distribution network