Blood
Physical Characteristics of Blood
It's a connective tissue , it's part solution (plasma) and part suspension (formed
elements) which are living blood cells
It has a metallic and salty taste
Color varies depending on the level of oxygen in the blood , scarlet red if it's rich in
oxygen , pale blue or dull red or purple if it's poor in oxygen
It's slightly alkaline (basic) as it's pH is between 7.35 and 7.45 , it's temperature is
38°C, or 100.4°F, it's always slightly higher than the body temperature because of
friction as blood flows
It accounts for about 8% of body weight and it's volume in adults is about 5 to 6 liters
The Composition of Blood
Blood is made of
Plasma - 55%
Formed Elements (Cells) - 45%
1
,When blood is centrifuged it shows
Buffy Coat: White layer composed of leukocytes and platelets
Hematocrit: Erythrocytes
There are 2 general types of white blood cells (Leukocytes)
2
, Granulocytes - named like that because they look like they're filled with grains
Basophil
Eosinophil
Neutrophil
Agranulocytes - there aren't grains
Lymphocyte
Monocyte
Blood Film (Smear)
To study the cellular constitution of blood , a drop of blood is applied to a glass slide ,
spread evenly , dried , fixed with methanol and stained with specific chemical stains (e.g.
Giemsa stain)
The end result is what is called a blood film
3
Physical Characteristics of Blood
It's a connective tissue , it's part solution (plasma) and part suspension (formed
elements) which are living blood cells
It has a metallic and salty taste
Color varies depending on the level of oxygen in the blood , scarlet red if it's rich in
oxygen , pale blue or dull red or purple if it's poor in oxygen
It's slightly alkaline (basic) as it's pH is between 7.35 and 7.45 , it's temperature is
38°C, or 100.4°F, it's always slightly higher than the body temperature because of
friction as blood flows
It accounts for about 8% of body weight and it's volume in adults is about 5 to 6 liters
The Composition of Blood
Blood is made of
Plasma - 55%
Formed Elements (Cells) - 45%
1
,When blood is centrifuged it shows
Buffy Coat: White layer composed of leukocytes and platelets
Hematocrit: Erythrocytes
There are 2 general types of white blood cells (Leukocytes)
2
, Granulocytes - named like that because they look like they're filled with grains
Basophil
Eosinophil
Neutrophil
Agranulocytes - there aren't grains
Lymphocyte
Monocyte
Blood Film (Smear)
To study the cellular constitution of blood , a drop of blood is applied to a glass slide ,
spread evenly , dried , fixed with methanol and stained with specific chemical stains (e.g.
Giemsa stain)
The end result is what is called a blood film
3
