Question

Discuss one of the formed elements of blood (RBC, WBC, or PLT); the different parts of blood; or one the following proteins of blood: albumin, complement

Answer 1

The different components of blood include plasma, red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and platelets. The formed elements of blood are the cellular components including RBC, WBC and platelets.

A Red blood cell or erythrocyte is a type of blood cell produced in the bone marrow and found in blood. It contains a protein called hemoglobin which carry oxygen from the lungs to the all parts of the body and carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs.

A White blood cell or leukocyte is a type of blood cell produced in the bone marrow and found in blood. The WBCs include cells which help fight infections by attackingorganisms that invade the body. The different types of white blood cells are :- Neutrophils, Basopils, Eosinophils, Lymphocytes, monocytes.

Platelets or thrombocytes are blood components which helps to stop bleeding by formation of a platelet plug at the site of blood vessel injury.

Plasma is the liquid portion of blood that contains water, salts, enzymes, antibodies and other proteins.

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Albumin is a major plasma protein found in blood. It maintains the plasma oncotic pressure so that blood doesn't leak into other tissues. It is also binds to and carries various substances such as hormones, vitamins, cations (Ca2+, Na+ and K+) and enzymes.

Complement refers to a series of more than 20 proteins, circulating in the blood. These proteins become activated in response to the recognition of molecular components of microorganisms. The proteins are sequentially activated in a cascade by any of the two pathways - classical or alternate pathway. Finally, activated C5 can trigger the lytic pathway, which can damage the plasma membranes of cells and some bacteria.