Blood Composition: Understanding the Components of Blood

Composition of Blood

* Plasma (55%): Liquid component that makes up more than half of blood's volume

* 92% water

* 7% proteins

* Albumin

* Globulins

* Fibrinogen

* 1% other solutes

* Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate)

* Glucose

* Lipids

* Hormones

* Waste products (urea, creatinine)

* Red blood cells (45%): Also called erythrocytes

* Carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body

* Contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds to oxygen

* Make up about 45% of blood's volume

* White blood cells (less than 1%): Also called leukocytes

* Fight infection

* Make up less than 1% of blood's volume

* Platelets (less than 1%): Also called thrombocytes

* Help stop bleeding

* Make up less than 1% of blood's volume