Blood
Blood
Blood (pronunciation: /blʌd/) is a body fluid in humans and other animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells.
Etymology
The word "blood" comes from the Old English blōd, which is derived from Proto-Germanic *blōþą.
Composition
Blood is composed of blood cells suspended in blood plasma. It is made up of approximately 55% plasma, a yellowish fluid, and 45% blood cells. The blood cells present in blood are mainly red blood cells (also known as erythrocytes) and white blood cells, including leukocytes and platelets.
Functions
The primary function of blood is to supply nutrients (oxygen, glucose) and constitutional elements to tissues, and to remove waste products. Blood also enables cells to communicate with each other, through hormones and signaling proteins. The blood is also essential for the body's defense against infections and damage, including the immune response and the coagulation process.
Related Terms
- Hematology: The branch of medicine that deals with the study of blood, the blood-forming organs, and blood diseases.
- Hemoglobin: The protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen.
- Hematocrit: The ratio of the volume of red cells to the total volume of blood.
- Blood type: Classification of blood based on the presence or absence of inherited antigenic substances on the surface of red blood cells.
- Blood transfusion: The process of transferring blood or blood products into one's circulation intravenously.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Blood
- Wikipedia's article - Blood
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