Table of Contents
What is Blood?
Blood is a complex mixture of cells and liquid that circulates through the body. It is composed of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Plasma is a clear, watery fluid that contains proteins, electrolytes, and other substances. Red blood cells transport oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. White blood cells protect the body from infection and disease. Platelets are tiny cells that help the blood to clot. Blood Cell Formation – Components Types and Location in Human Body.
Components of Blood
Blood is composed of plasma and blood cells. Plasma is a clear, yellowish fluid that contains proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, minerals, and clotting factors. Blood cells consist of erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), and thrombocytes (platelets).
Plasma – a gas
Plasma is a gas that has been heated to such a high temperature that the atoms have been stripped of their electrons. This makes the gas very conductive and allows electricity to flow through it easily. Plasma is often used in televisions and other electronics because it can be used to create a screen that displays images.
White Blood Cells –
White blood cells are a type of cell that is found in the blood. They are important for the immune system, and help to fight infection. They are produced in the bone marrow, and can move around the body to where they are needed. There are different types of white blood cells, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.
Red Blood Cells –
Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. They are oval-shaped cells that are filled with hemoglobin, a protein that binds to oxygen. Red blood cells live for about 120 days and are replaced by new cells continually.
Platelets –
Platelets are small, disk-shaped blood cells that help stop bleeding by clumping together to form clots. They also release substances that help wounds heal.
Blood Cell Formation
Formation of red blood cells:
1. The stem cells in the red bone marrow are stimulated to divide and form 2 erythroblasts.
2. The erythroblasts mature into red blood cells.
3. The red blood cells release hemoglobin and travel through the blood vessels to the tissues.
4. The red blood cells give up their oxygen to the tissues and then return to the red bone marrow to be recycled.
The Role of Hematopoietic Stem Cells:
Hematopoietic stem cells are the cells in the body that give rise to all other blood cells. They are responsible for maintaining a healthy blood supply by constantly regenerating new blood cells. Hematopoietic stem cells can be found in the bone marrow, peripheral blood, and umbilical cord blood.
When a person experiences a blood loss, such as from a car accident or surgery, their hematopoietic stem cells go to work to replenish the lost blood cells. This is why blood transfusions are often necessary after a traumatic event. Hematopoietic stem cells can also be used to treat blood diseases, such as leukemia, by replacing the diseased blood cells with healthy ones.
Erythropoiesis
-stimulating agents
Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents are medications that cause the body to produce more red blood cells. They are used to treat anemia, which is a condition that occurs when there are not enough red blood cells in the body.
Leukopoiesis
Leukopoiesis is the process of white blood cell production in the bone marrow.
Thrombopoiesis
is the process by which new blood cells are formed from stem cells in the bone marrow.
The stem cells in the bone marrow give rise to all the different types of blood cells in the body, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Thrombopoiesis is a complex process that involves the activation of several different types of blood cells, including stem cells, progenitor cells, and mature blood cells.
One of the most important steps in thrombopoiesis is the differentiation of stem cells into progenitor cells.
Progenitor cells are immature blood cells that have not yet completed the maturation process.
Mature blood cells are fully differentiated cells that have specific functions in the body.
The final step in thrombopoiesis is the release of new blood cells into the bloodstream.
Blood cells are essential for the body to carry out its functions, including transporting oxygen and nutrients to tissues and fighting infection.
Blood Cell Formation – Components Types and Location in Human Body.
