Blood makes up around 7% of the weight of a human body. Blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. These blood cells float in a yellow liquid called blood plasma. Blood plasma is made up of 90% water and also contains various nutrients, electrolytes, gases, proteins, glucose and hormones. Blood plasma can be separated from the cells by spinning blood in a device known as a centrifuge until the cells collect at the bottom of the tube.
Red Blood cells
Red blood cells have the important job of carrying oxygen around the body. They also contain a protein called hemoglobin.
Hemoglobin contains iron which combines with oxygen to give hemoglobin and our blood, a red color. Red blood cells develop in bone marrow and circulate in the body for around 120 days.
White blood cells
White blood cells are an important part of the body’s immune system. They defend against certain bacteria, viruses, cancer cells, infectious diseases and other unwanted materials. White blood cells are part of the germ-fighting immune system. They are like little warriors floating around in your blood waiting to attack invaders, like viruses and bacteria. You have several types of white blood cells and each has its own special role in fighting off the different kinds of germs that make people sick.
Platelets help blood clot in order to limit bleeding when your skin is cut. Blood clots can occasionally have negative effects, if they form in blood vessels going to the brain they can cause a stroke while clotting in a blood vessel going to the heart can lead to a heart attack.
Bone marrow disorders or Myeloproliferative disorders
Disorders of the bone marrow in which too many blood cells are produced. Types include: polycythemia vera,thrombocythemia,chronic myelogenous leukemia, and primary myelofibrosis.
Bone marrow failure disorders
Conditions of the bone marrow in which not enough blood cells are produced, such as aplastic anemia, myelodysplasia, and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.
People can have different blood types, known as blood groups. There are four main blood groups - A, B, AB and O. Each group can then be either RhD positive or negative, so your blood group can be one of eight types. The genes you inherit from your mother and father determine your blood group.
What is Blood?
People can have different blood types, known as blood groups. There are four main blood groups – A, B, AB and O. Each group can then be either RhD positive or negative, so your blood group can be one of eight types.
The genes you inherit from your mother and father determine your blood group.
- Your body carries around four to six litres (8.5 to 12.5 pints) of blood. Blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in liquid called plasma.
- Plasma is made up of about 90% water but also contains proteins, nutrients, hormones and waste products. Blood is made up of about 60% plasma and 40% blood cells.
- Each of the three types of blood cells has specific roles to play:
- Red blood cells transport oxygen around the body and remove carbon dioxide and other waste products. They give your blood its red color.
- White blood cells fight infection as part of the immune system (the body’s natural defence against infection and illness).
- Platelets help the blood to clot (thicken).