blood

functions

• transports oxygen, waste, and hormones

• prevents infection and blood loss

• regulates body temperature pH, and fluid volume

components

• blood is a connective tissue made of cells suspended in a fluid matrix

• the suspended cells are known as formed elements

• the fluid matrix is known as plasma

composition of blood

• 55% plasma, 1% WBCs, and platelets, 44% RBCs(hematocrit)

Physical characteristics of blood

• 5 times more dense than water

• bright red to purple color (due to the amount of oxygen in vessels)

• pH range of 7.35-7.45

• 5-6 liters in body

composition of plasma

• 90% water/ 10% dissolved gases, salts, minerals, nutrients, enzymes, hormones, waste, and proteins

• 3 basic types of proteins in plasma

  • albumin - regulates osmosis between blood and tissues

  • globulins - transport substances or fight infection

  • fibrinogen- used to clot blood

• regulated by homeostasis