Title: Human Blood Notes pdf
1. Introduction to Human Blood
Blood is a specialized, red-colored fluid connective tissue that circulates through the
cardiovascular system of humans and other animals. It is slightly alkaline in nature, with a
standard pH of around 7.4. Blood tastes salty and feels sticky. In an adult human body, there
is about 5 to 6 liters of blood, which accounts for approximately 8% of the total body weight.
2. General Composition of Blood
If we separate blood using a centrifuge machine, we can clearly see that blood is composed of
two main components:
Blood Plasma (Liquid portion): Makes up about 55% of the total blood volume.
Blood Cells or Corpuscles (Solid portion): Makes up about 45% of the total blood
volume.
A. Blood Plasma
Plasma is the straw-colored (faint yellow), liquid matrix of the blood. It is responsible for
carrying water, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body.
Composition of Plasma:
o Water: About 90% to 92% of plasma is pure water.
o Solids: The remaining 8% to 10% contains organic and inorganic substances.
Organic Substances: These include plasma proteins (Albumin, Globulin,
Fibrinogen), glucose, amino acids, lipids, hormones, and metabolic wastes (urea, uric
acid).
Inorganic Substances: These include essential minerals and ions like Sodium,
Potassium , Calcium , Chloride and Bicarbonate .
B. Blood Cells or Corpuscles
Blood cells are suspended within the plasma. There are three major types of blood cells, each
serving a unique and vital function in the human body:
1. Red Blood Cells (RBC) or Erythrocytes
Shape and Structure: These cells are biconcave and disc-shaped. In mature human
RBCs, there is no nucleus.
Function: They contain a red, iron-rich protein called Hemoglobin. Hemoglobin
binds with oxygen to form oxyhemoglobin, which transports oxygen ($O_2$) from
the lungs to all body tissues.
2. White Blood Cells (WBC) or Leukocytes
1. Introduction to Human Blood
Blood is a specialized, red-colored fluid connective tissue that circulates through the
cardiovascular system of humans and other animals. It is slightly alkaline in nature, with a
standard pH of around 7.4. Blood tastes salty and feels sticky. In an adult human body, there
is about 5 to 6 liters of blood, which accounts for approximately 8% of the total body weight.
2. General Composition of Blood
If we separate blood using a centrifuge machine, we can clearly see that blood is composed of
two main components:
Blood Plasma (Liquid portion): Makes up about 55% of the total blood volume.
Blood Cells or Corpuscles (Solid portion): Makes up about 45% of the total blood
volume.
A. Blood Plasma
Plasma is the straw-colored (faint yellow), liquid matrix of the blood. It is responsible for
carrying water, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body.
Composition of Plasma:
o Water: About 90% to 92% of plasma is pure water.
o Solids: The remaining 8% to 10% contains organic and inorganic substances.
Organic Substances: These include plasma proteins (Albumin, Globulin,
Fibrinogen), glucose, amino acids, lipids, hormones, and metabolic wastes (urea, uric
acid).
Inorganic Substances: These include essential minerals and ions like Sodium,
Potassium , Calcium , Chloride and Bicarbonate .
B. Blood Cells or Corpuscles
Blood cells are suspended within the plasma. There are three major types of blood cells, each
serving a unique and vital function in the human body:
1. Red Blood Cells (RBC) or Erythrocytes
Shape and Structure: These cells are biconcave and disc-shaped. In mature human
RBCs, there is no nucleus.
Function: They contain a red, iron-rich protein called Hemoglobin. Hemoglobin
binds with oxygen to form oxyhemoglobin, which transports oxygen ($O_2$) from
the lungs to all body tissues.
2. White Blood Cells (WBC) or Leukocytes