Whole blood consists of 3 types of blood cells, suspended in a liquid called plasma. Blood circulates through the arteries and veins with each of the blood cell types– red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets– carrying out different functions throughout the body.
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3 Types of Blood Cells and Their Functions
Normally, 7-8% of human body weight is from blood. In adults, this totals up to 4.5-6 quarts of blood. This vital fluid performs the critical functions of transporting oxygen and nutrients to our cells and eliminating CO2, ammonia, and other waste products. In addition, it plays a vital function in our immune system and in keeping a fairly continuous body temperature level. Blood is an extremely specialized tissue made up of more than 4,000 various kinds of components. Four of the most vital ones are red cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma, according to iytmed.com. All human beings produce these blood elements– there are no populational or regional distinctions.
Red Blood Cells (RBC) – Erythrocytes
Red blood cells, called erythrocytes, comprise about 40 to 50 percent of the overall blood volume. Levels vary for males and females, with men having 5 to 6 million erythrocytes per cubic millimeter of entire blood and women having 4 to 5 million per cubic millimeter. Red blood cells live for approximately 120 days prior to being changed by new cells produced in the bone marrow. The red color originates from a pigmented particle, called hemoglobin, inside red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body and provide carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs to be exhaled.
White Blood Cells (WBC) – Leukocytes
White blood cells, also called leukocytes, are much fewer in number than red blood cells. There are 5 different types of white blood cells that collaborate to protect the body by attacking foreign intruders, consisting of bacteria, viruses and tumors. The most typical type of white blood cells are called neutrophils. All types of white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow.
Platelets – Thrombocytes
Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are cell fragments instead of entire cells. They clump together and form blood clots after an injury. Clots function as plugs to stop bleeding and function as a base for new tissue growth and recovery in the injured area. Certain blood-thinning medications reduce the risk of abnormal blood clots by interfering with platelet function.
Blood Cells Count Normal Range for Healthy Human
Together, these 3 type of blood cells amount to a total 45% of the blood tissue by volume, with the staying 55% of the volume composed of plasma, the liquid component of blood. The volume percentage of red blood cells in the blood (hematocrit) is measured by centrifuge or circulation cytometry and is 45% of cells to overall volume in males and 40% in females.
- Red cells normally comprise 40-50% of the total blood volume.
- White cells exist in variable numbers and types however comprise a really small part of blood’s volume– normally just about 1% in healthy human.