Constituents of the mammalian blood

The mammalian blood is a suspension of different types of cells which are:

1. Red blood cells (Erythrocytes)
2. White blood cells (Leucocytes)
3. Platelets (Thrombocytes)
4. Plasma
   *RED BLOOD CELLS

The red blood cell is a biconcave disc, non-nucleated cells in mammals. It is surrounded by an elastic membrane which enables the cell to pass through narrow capillaries whose internal diameter is smaller than its own
The inside of the cell is completely filled with oxygen carrying pigment called havemoglobin. This pigment gives a group of red blood cells their characteristics red colour, despite the fact that each cell is yellow in colour when built singly. Lifespan of red blood cell is 120 days before they are destroyed in spleen. New ones are produced in the bone marrow.
The haemoglobin contained in red blood cells is broken down bilirubin and ferritin are released into the blood. The liver store the iron in ferritin which is used for the production of red blood cells and get rid of billirubin near the bile
The primary function of the red blood cell is to transport oxygen from the blood to the body cells. The adaptive feature shown by the red blood cells to this function are:

• It's biconcave shape gives it a large surface area to the volume ratio

• Its lack of nucleus permits more haemoglobin to be packed into the cell
  *It contains which has a high affinity for oxygen.

              *WHITE-BLOOD-CELL
  

These are nucleated, colourless and larger than the red blood cell. The human blood contains about 10000 WBC (White Blood Cell)/KM by blood. During infection of the number of WBC may increase.
They are produced in the bone marrow, lymphatic tissue and spleen. There are different types of leucocytes which differ in sizes, shapes, and functions.
The major functions of the WBC are as follows:

• Clumping: Lymphocytes produces chemical called antibodies which cause bacteria to clump with antibody

• Neutralization: e.g Lymphocytes produce antitoxins which neutralizes the toxins prodiced by pathogen and make them harmless.

• Engulfing: e.g Phagocytes engulf the disease causing organisms and digest them.

              *PLATELETS
  

This are smaller than the red blood cell, irregular in shape and non-uncleared. They are formed by the fragmentation of granular cytoplasm of much larger cells produced in the bone marrow. They take part in blood clotting

                 *PLASMA

This is a pale yellow liquid made up of mainly 90% water. Many substances are dissolved in it including plasma protein, antibodies, hormones, enzymes, salts, digested food materials and waste materials. The primary function of plasma is to transport substances that are dissolved in it as well as the cells that flows in it.
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