Blood has many purposes. Blood is made up of cells and liquids that carry important nutrients and messages all around the body. Blood can also carry medicines, like chemotherapy or antibiotics. Doctors can do blood tests to see what's inside the blood, which tells them how people are doing.
Blood Basics
Our blood is a living tissue with a variety of critical functions: It delivers oxygen and nutrients to our organs, fights infections and creates blood clots, preventing us from bleeding excessively when a blood vessel is damaged. The liquid part of our blood, called plasma, is key for maintaining blood pressure and supplying critical proteins for blood clotting, immunity and maintaining the correct pH balance in our body -- critical to cell function. Plasma also carries the solid part of our blood -- white blood cells, which work to destroy viruses and bacteria; red blood cells, which carry oxygen through the body; and platelets, which help clotting. Learn more about blood basics with expert advice from Sharecare.
Recently Answered
-
2 AnswersA
Discovery Health answeredSee All 2 AnswersThe blood has several types of white blood cells including neutrophils, bands, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes and lymphocytes. Each fights infection in a different way.
Neutrophils, for example, are one of the body's main defenses against bacteria. Neutrophils kill bacteria by ingesting them. Neutrophils can ingest five to 20 bacteria in their lifetime.
Another type of white blood cell is called bands. Bands are immature neutrophils. When a bacterial infection is present, an increase of both neutrophils and bands are seen.
The eosinophil type of white blood cell kills parasites and has a role in allergic reactions.
Although basophils are not well understood, they also function in allergic reactions. Basophils release histamine (which makes blood vessels leak and attracts white blood cells) and heparin (which prevents clotting in an infected area so that the white blood cells can reach the bacteria).
Monocytes enter the tissue itself, where they become larger. There they can ingest bacteria throughout the body. These cells also destroy damaged and dead cells.
Neutrophils and monocytes use many mechanisms to get to and kill invading organisms. Both can squeeze through openings in blood vessels. They are attracted to chemicals produced by the immune system or by bacteria. Then, they migrate toward areas where the concentration of these chemicals is high. They kill bacteria by completely surrounding the bacteria and digesting them with enzymes.
Lymphocytes are complex cells used to direct the body's immune system. White blood cells called lymphocytes come in two types, T lymphocytes (called T cells) and B Lymphocytes. About 75 percent of lymphocytes are T cells.
-
1 AnswerA
Jumo Health answeredBlood cells work hard to keep you healthy, so they need to be replaced when they wear out. To replace worn-out blood cells, a stem cell divides to make a new cell. New blood cells stay in the bone marrow until they’re ready to head out into the bloodstream.
-
1 AnswerA
Jumo Health answered
Red blood cells (RBCs) get recycled in the spleen. When RBCs are worn out, they head to the spleen. Once in the spleen, the RBCs and their hemoglobin are broken down and recycled. The body keeps the good parts and gets rid of the junk.
-
2 AnswersA
Discovery Health answeredSee All 2 Answers
The main function of red blood cells is the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the body's cells. Red blood cells contain a protein called hemoglobin that actually carries that oxygen.
In capillaries, oxygen is released to be used by the body's cells. Ninety-seven percent of the oxygen carried by the blood from the lungs is carried through hemoglobin. The other 3 percent is dissolved in the plasma. Hemoglobin allows blood to move 30 to 100 times more oxygen than could possibly be dissolved in the plasma alone.
In the lungs, where the oxygen level is high, hemoglobin combines loosely with oxygen. The hemoglobin then easily releases that oxygen into the capillaries, where the oxygen level is low. In each molecule of hemoglobin there are four iron atoms. Each iron atom binds with one molecule of oxygen. The iron in hemoglobin is what gives blood its red color.
Thirty-three percent of a red blood cell is hemoglobin. The normal concentration of hemoglobin is 15.5 grams per deciliter of blood in men. In women, the normal concentration is 14 grams per deciliter of blood.
-
4 AnswersA
SecondsCount.org answeredSee All 4 AnswersBlood is made up of four parts:
- red blood cells, to carry oxygen, are rich in iron, which gives blood its red color
- white blood cells, to fight infection
- platelets, which when activated become sticky to help form blood clots to heal cuts, scrapes and wounds
- plasma, the “serum” part of blood to transport nutrients, proteins, and hormones throughout the body
Your healthy body is constantly replenishing each of these blood components. Some are able to be replenished within a few hours, some within a few weeks.
-
1 AnswerA
Jumo Health answered
Red blood cells carry oxygen all over the body. White blood cells protect the body by fighting germs that can otherwise cause infections. Platelets plug cuts to stop bleeding.
-
2 AnswersA
Discovery Health answeredSee All 2 Answers
Each year, about 12 million to 14 million units (pints) of blood are donated in the United States. Typically, a blood donor must be at least 17 years old, healthy and more than 110 pounds.
Before donating blood, the donor is given an information pamphlet . A health history is taken to make sure the donor has not been exposed to diseases that can be transmitted through blood, and to determine if donating blood is safe for his or her own health. A donor's temperature, pulse, blood pressure and weight are measured. A few drops of blood are taken to make sure the donor is not anemic. Once the needle has been placed, it usually takes less than 10 minutes to remove a unit of blood. Sterile, single-use equipment is used. Therefore, donors have no danger of infection. Donors should drink plenty of fluids and avoid exercise that day. Donors can give blood every eight weeks.
The individual units of blood can be separated into several components. Each component can be given to someone with a specific need. Therefore, a single unit can help many people. The various components include packed red or white blood cells and many others.
Plasma, for example, can be thawed and transfused to treat bleeding disorders if clotting factors are missing.
Platelets can be transfused into people with low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) or people with abnormally functioning platelets.
Albumin, which makes up 60 percent of the protein in plasma, is used when blood volume needs to be increased especially when fluids have not worked. This is used for severe bleeding, liver failure and severe burns.
Immunoglobulins are given to people who have been exposed to a certain disease including rabies, tetanus or hepatitis to help prevent those diseases.
Factor VIII concentrate and cryoprecipitate are used for hemophilia A (classic hemophilia). This disease is caused by a deficiency of factor VIII.
Factor IX concentrate is used for hemophilia B ("Christmas disease"). This disease is caused by a deficiency of clotting factor IX.
-
2 AnswersA
American Red Cross answeredSee All 2 AnswersDonating a unit of blood takes about 45 to 60 minutes. Medical equipment is sterile, used only once, and then discarded. The actual donation process works like this:
1) You will complete donor registration, which includes your name, address, phone number, donor identification number (if you have one), and other related information.
2) You will be asked to show your donor card or other identification.
3) You will be asked some questions about your health, travel history, and lifestyle or risk behaviors. All information is confidential.
4) You will receive a mini “health exam”, including checks for blood pressure, temperature, and pulse. In addition, a drop of blood will be obtained from your finger to make sure that you have enough red blood cells to safely donate.
5) You will proceed to a donor bed where your arm will be cleaned with antiseptic. If you are allergic to iodine, be sure to tell the phlebotomist so an alternate antiseptic may be used.
6) You will have a blood unit and blood specimens drawn.
7) You will receive snacks and beverages while you wait for about 15 minutes after donation. Waiting periods are different in different states.
Donating blood is a simple process. Your gift of blood may help three people or more. Donated red blood cells have a shelf-life of up to 42 days. A healthy donor may donate every 56 days. -
2 AnswersA
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answeredSee All 2 AnswersThere is no minimum or maximum age for patients receiving PRP, which can be used to promote surgical healing, for an injury that does not require surgery, and for chronic tendon injuries, as well. "We can inject it after an ACL or rotator cuff surgery or any shoulder or knee operation," says Dr. Ahmad, who specializes in shoulder instability and labral tears, ACL injuries, Tommy John surgery, and advanced arthroscopic surgical techniques for sports related injuries of the knee, shoulder, and elbow. "Not only does it make the injury heal faster, it also makes recovery more predictable." Dr. Ahmad describes a high school pitcher who injured his ligament and normally would require Tommy John surgery. "Because of his young age and his desire to avoid a year-long rehab, we gave him the injection to help his ligament heal. Usually it goes hand in hand with an aggressive rehab program and other modalities that stimulate healing such as ice and heat contrast and sometimes ultrasound."
Dr. Ahmad cannot say definitively how much faster PRP accelerates healing, but points to examples where it has reduced the process considerably. "We've had patients with hamstring strains from playing sports such as baseball, and what typically has been a six-week injury has gone down to a three-week injury," he says. "We don't have enough numbers to actually quantify it, but we have seen healing time reduced quite a bit in patients treated with PRP."