Question

Write the composition of mammalian blood.

Answer 1

Hint:Blood is a circulating body fluid present in mammals which transport oxygen and nutrients to the body cells and carry away waste products from them.

Complete answer:
The main components of blood include:
Plasma: Plasma is the liquid, clear and extracellular fluid component of blood. It is a mix of sugar, proteins, water , fat and salts. It helps in the transportation of blood cells all along the body with the required nutrients, antibodies, waste products, hormones, etc. This helps in maintaining the fluid balance of the body. It constitutes 55% of the volume of blood.
Red Blood Cells (RBCs)/ Erythrocytes: They are the disc shaped cells which have no mitochondria and nucleus. They have a flat centre. They occupy most of the volume of the blood. The glycoproteins in the plasma membrane of RBCs help in determining the blood group of a person. Their main function is to transfer the oxygenated blood from lungs to tissues and carbon dioxide rich blood from tissues to lungs. Hemoglobin present in cytoplasm of RBCs gives them their red colour. They constitute 40-45% of blood volume.
White blood cells(WBCs)/ Platelets: White blood cells are fewer in number and constitute only 1% of the blood volume. They are also called leukocytes. WBCs are divided into granulocytes and agranulocytes. Neutrophils are the most abundant Granulocytes and Agranulocytes include Lymphocytes and Monocytes. WBCs help our body in fighting off infections and foreign agents.
Platelets/Thrombocytes: Platelets are small fragments of cells which are involved in the blood clotting process.

Note:Functions of blood
i) Transport of nutrients and oxygen.
ii) Transport of waste products and carbon dioxide.
iii) Protection against infection.
iv) Plays a role in clotting.
v) Maintains a homeostasis of ions, water, etc.
vi) Provides immunity by fighting off infectious agents, performing inflammatory reactions, forming antibodies, attacking pathogens, destroying dead cells and formation of new immune cells.
vii) Regulates temperature.