What do the different components of blood do?

Plasma

Plasma is the main component of blood. It is liquid in nature and consists mostly of water, with proteins, sugar, fat, salts, and wastes mixed in. 

Plasma is responsible for transporting the different types of blood cells to all the parts of the body along with nutrients, chemical messengers such as hormones, clotting proteins, antibodies, waste products, and proteins that help regulate the body's fluid balance. 

Red Blood Cells or RBCs 

Also known as erythrocytes, RBCs are the most abundant type of cell in the blood, accounting for about 40 – 45% percent of the total volume. Red blood cells are shaped like a biconcave disc with a flattened center. They have no nucleus, which allows them to pass through the smallest blood vessels but also limits their lifespan. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, an iron-rich protein that give the cells their distinctive red color. 

The main function of red blood cells is transporting oxygen from the lungs to the various tissues and organs in the body and carrying carbon dioxide from all parts of the body to the lungs to be eliminated through exhalation. 

White Blood Cells or WBCs

White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, are an integral part of the body’s immune system. They are much fewer in number compared to red blood cells, accounting for only about 1% of the total volume of blood. WBCs are colorless because they lack hemoglobin. 

White blood cells play a crucial role in protecting the body from infections and diseases.  There are different types of WBCs, including lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, and basophils. Each plays a different role in the immune system. 

Platelets or Thrombocytes

Platelets are small fragments of cells present in the blood. They live in the body for about seven to ten days and are responsible for blood clotting. 

In case of a bruise or cut, platelets accumulate to the site of the injury and adhere to the lining of the injured blood vessel, forming a plug or clot that covers the wound and reduces bleeding so the body doesn’t lose an excessive amount of blood.