Fluid of life

Viscous, thick, red fluid

Contains RBCs, WBCs and platelets

Suspended in light yellow fluid called plasma

Plasma constitutes 55% of blood volume

Remaining 45% composed of Red blood and platelets

Slightly alkaline, pH range of 7.35-7.45 

1. Transports oxygen and nutrition to cells; waste products away from cells; transports hormones from endocrine glands to tissues and cells
2. Regulates acid-base balance (pH) with buffers; helps regulate body temperature because of water content; controls water content of cells because of NA+
3. Protects the body from infection because of special cells; protects against blood loss because of clotting mechanisms

1. Give blood its rich color
2. In men, RBCs avg 5.5 million/mm3 of blood
3. In woman, RBCs avg 4.8 million/mm3 of blood
4. Mature RBC contains cytoplasm and hemoglobin
5. Hemoglobin is compound that carries oxygen
6. normal hemoglobin level is 14 to 18 g/dl for men and 12 to 16 for women

1. Process of RBC production