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16.1: Introduction to Blood

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  • Page ID
    22366

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    Chapter Learning Objectives:

    After studying this chapter, you will be able to:

    • Identify the primary functions of blood, its fluid and cellular components, and its physical characteristics
    • Identify the most important proteins and other solutes present in blood plasma
    • Describe the formation of the formed element components of blood
    • Discuss the structure and function of red blood cells and hemoglobin
    • Classify and characterize white blood cells
    • Describe the structure and function of platelets
    • Explain the significance of ABO and Rh blood groups in blood transfusions
    • Discuss a variety of blood disorders

    Single-celled organisms do not need blood. They obtain nutrients directly from and excrete wastes directly into their environment. The human organism cannot do that. Our large, complex bodies need blood to deliver nutrients to and remove wastes from our trillions of cells. The heart pumps blood throughout the body in a network of blood vessels. Together, these three components—blood, heart, and vessels—make up the cardiovascular system. This chapter focuses on the fluid connective tissue that serves as a medium of transport: blood.

    1900_Blood_cells.jpg

    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Red Blood Cell, Platelet, and White Blood Cell. A single drop of blood contains millions of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A red blood cell (left), platelet (middle), and a white blood cell (right) are shown here, isolated from a scanning electron micrograph. (Image credit: "Blood Cells" by OpenStax is licensed under CC BY 3.0)

    Contributors and Attributions

    This page titled 16.1: Introduction to Blood is shared under a CC BY license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Whitney Menefee, Julie Jenks, Chiara Mazzasette, & Kim-Leiloni Nguyen (ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative) .