What is blood made up of

Over half of your blood is plasma. The solid part of your blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Red blood cells RBC deliver oxygen from your lungs to your tissues and organs. White blood cells WBC fight infection and are part of your immune system.

Platelets help blood to clot when you have a cut or wound. Bone marrow, the spongy material inside your bones, makes new blood cells. Blood cells constantly die and your body makes new ones. Red blood cells live about days, and platelets live about 6 days. Some white blood cells live less than a day, but others live much longer. Also, blood is either Rh-positive or Rh-negative. So if you have type A blood, it's either A positive or A negative.

Which type you are is important if you need a blood transfusion. And your Rh factor could be important if you become pregnant - an incompatibility between your type and the baby's could create problems.

Platelets are much smaller in size than the other blood cells. They group together to form clumps, or a plug, in the hole of a vessel to stop bleeding. What is a complete blood cell count CBC? A complete blood cell count CBC is a measurement of size, number, and maturity of the different blood cells in a specific volume of blood.

A CBC can be used to determine many abnormalities with either the production or destruction of blood cells. Changes from the normal number, size, or maturity of the blood cells can be used to show an infection or disease process.

Often with an infection, there will be a highernumber of white blood cells. Many forms of cancer can affect the bone marrow production of blood cells. An increase in the immature white blood cells in a CBC can be linkedto leukemia.

Anemia and sickle cell disease will have abnormally low hemoglobin. Hematocrit red blood cell volume HCT. To help diagnose anemia and other blood disorders and certain cancers of the blood. To watch for blood loss and infection. To watch a person's response to cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy and radiation. To diagnose or monitor bleeding and clotting disorders. To evaluate bleeding and clotting disorders and to monitor anticoagulation anti-clotting therapies.

Your healthcare provider will explain the purpose and results of any blood tests with you. Blood production is very complex. And so is blood's role in supporting the entire body. So there are many blood diseases that can happen. These include bleeding disorders, anemias, and blood cancers called leukemias.

Health Home Wellness and Prevention. It is usually an inherited condition and is more common in males. Blood like every part of the body needs good nutrition so a healthy balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables will help to maintain healthy blood. If purchasing separately the maximum number of tablets is 96 of each type.

If purchasing as a combination then the maximum allowed is 96 tablets in total. If you have any additional questions please Contact Us. Click here to find out more information. Home Health Information. Blood — what is it made up of? There are three main types of blood vessels: Arteries- the largest and thickest of the blood vessels.

These vessels carry blood from the heart to all the cells in the body. The largest artery of the body is called the aorta, the aorta originates from the heart and then branches out into smaller arteries, the smallest arteries are called arterioles, which branch out until they become tiny capillaries.

Capillaries- the smallest blood vessels, it is in the capillaries that the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide take place. Capillaries are so small that red blood cells can only travel through them in single file. Veins- similar to arteries but because they transport blood at a lower pressure they are not as strong as arteries.

Very small veins called venules receive blood from the capillaries, after the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide has taken place. The venules branch into larger veins, which eventually carry the blood to the largest vein in the body, known as the vena cava, where the blood is then transported to the heart.

Where is blood made? What is blood made up of? Red blood cells Red blood cells are also known as erythrocytes, their primary function is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the cells all around the body. Besides carrying oxygen, red blood cells help to remove carbon dioxide from the body. White blood cells White blood cells are also know as leukocytes and their main function is to help our body fight infection.

Platelets Platelets also known as thrombocytes are the smallest of the blood cells. What are the different blood groups? Blood donations and transfusions Blood grouping is essential for safe blood transfusions. Here are a few examples of people who are unable to give blood : If you are pregnant If you have a chesty cough, or active cold sore.

If you have already given blood in the last 12 weeks If you are taking antibiotics or have just finished Those with HIV , hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Leukaemia is another condition that affects the blood. HIV is a virus that attacks the white blood cells called lymphocytes.