What substances make up blood and their functions?

Blood is composed of plasma, which contains water, salts, proteins, hormones, and waste products, and cellular elements, which include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Plasma:

- Water (92%)

- Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, etc.)

- Proteins (albumin, globulins, fibrinogen, etc.)

- Hormones

- Waste products (urea, creatinine, etc.)

Cellular elements:

Red blood cells (erythrocytes):

- Contain hemoglobin, an iron-containing protein that binds to oxygen and carries it throughout the body

- Also remove carbon dioxide from the tissues and transport it to the lungs

White blood cells (leukocytes):

- Defend the body against infection and disease

- There are different types of white blood cells, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils, each with specific functions

Platelets (thrombocytes):

- Involved in blood clotting and the prevention of excessive bleeding