Up to 8% of our total body weight is blood. Plasma is a transportation
system for all of the other components. It is a clear liquid protein and salt solution that accounts for 55% of total
blood volume. Plasma contains blood clotting factors, sugars, lipids, vitamins, minerals, hormones, enzymes, antibodies
and many types of proteins.
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Red blood cells transport oxygen from our lungs to all living tissues in the body and carry away carbon dioxide.
Red blood cells, also called erythrocytes, account for 40-50% of total blood volume. Oxygenated red cells give blood its red
color.
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White blood cells or leukocytes only account for about 1% of total blood volume and perform many different and highly
specialized functions with regard to our immune responses. Platelets and thrombocytes clot our blood by adhering to blood
vessel walls and also by releasing coagulating chemicals.
